Shloka 177

अविमुक्तक्षेत्रमाहात्म्य — काशी-वाराणसी में मोक्ष, लिङ्ग-तीर्थ-मानचित्र, और उपासना-विधि

Devanagari script

शतद्रोणसमं पुण्यम् आढके ऽपि विधीयते वित्तहीनस्य विप्रस्य नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Transliteration

śatadroṇasamaṃ puṇyam āḍhake 'pi vidhīyate vittahīnasya viprasya nātra kāryā vicāraṇā

Translation

Selbst eine āḍhaka (ein kleines Maß), dargebracht von einem Brahmanen ohne Vermögen, ist verordnet, Verdienst zu schenken, das hundert droṇas gleichkommt. In einem solchen Fall soll es weder Zweifel noch prüfendes Nachforschen geben, denn der bhāva, die innere Gesinnung, reift als śaivisches Verdienst.

Word by Word

• śata: hundred

• droṇa: droṇa-measure (large grain measure)

• samaṃ: equal to

• puṇyam: spiritual merit

• āḍhake: in an āḍhaka-measure (small measure)

• api: even

• vidhīyate: is prescribed/ordained, is enjoined

• vitta-hīnasya: of one devoid of wealth

• viprasya: of a Brahmin (learned priest)

• na: not

• atra: here/in this matter

• kāryā: to be done/appropriate

• vicāraṇā: examination, doubt, scrutiny

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It establishes that in Shiva-centered dharma, the fruit of giving is measured by devotion and sincerity (bhāva), not by quantity—so even a small offering made for Mahadeva can become vast in merit.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

It implies Shiva as Pati who receives the devotee’s inner intention and transforms limited external means into spiritual upliftment, showing grace that is not constrained by material measurement.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana as a limb of Shaiva practice: giving according to one’s means without hesitation, cultivating non-attachment and purity of intention—supportive of Pashupata-oriented inner discipline.