Shloka 22
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
यत्सेवकाय दत्तं स्यात्तत्पादफलदं विदुः । जातिमात्रस्य विप्रस्य दीनवृत्तेर्द्विजर्षभाः
yatsevakāya dattaṃ syāttatpādaphaladaṃ viduḥ | jātimātrasya viprasya dīnavṛtterdvijarṣabhāḥ
Die Besten unter den Zweimalgeborenen wissen: Was einem bloßen Diener gegeben wird, bringt nur eine Frucht entsprechend seinem Stand. Ebenso ist auch die Gabe an einen Brahmanen, der außer der Geburt nichts besitzt und in Armut lebt, im Ergebnis in gleicher Weise begrenzt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches discernment in dāna: the fruit of giving depends on the spiritual and ethical stature of the recipient, not merely social labels—encouraging Shaiva devotees to unite generosity with right understanding.
In Linga-worship, offerings and charity are meant to refine the devotee’s intention and purity; this verse aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion by stressing that external acts (like giving) must be guided by inner discrimination (viveka) to bear higher spiritual fruit.
Practice dāna as a Shaiva discipline: after japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), give with humility to worthy recipients or Shiva’s devotees, treating charity as an offering to Shiva rather than a social transaction.