Shloka 21
Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna
विधितो गोश्च दानं वै सर्वोत्तममिह स्मृतम् । न तेन सदृशं व्यास परं दानं प्रकीर्तितम्
vidhito gośca dānaṃ vai sarvottamamiha smṛtam | na tena sadṛśaṃ vyāsa paraṃ dānaṃ prakīrtitam
Wird es gemäß der Vorschrift der Śāstras vollzogen, gilt die Gabe einer Kuh hier als die allerbeste. O Vyāsa, keine höhere oder auch nur gleiche Gabe wird verkündet.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings; addressing the sages, with a vocative reference to Vyāsa within the cited instruction)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It teaches that charity becomes spiritually potent when done with proper vidhi (right method, purity, intention), and it praises go-dāna as a foremost dharmic act that supports sattva and accumulated puṇya, aiding the soul’s upliftment toward Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, outer dharma (like prescribed dāna) complements Linga worship: offerings and ethical acts purify the devotee, making devotion to Saguna Shiva steadier and more receptive to Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
Perform dāna according to śāstric procedure—especially go-dāna—with purity, right timing, and reverence; pair it with simple Shaiva devotion such as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to dedicate the merit to Lord Shiva.