Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56
Upamanyu’s Tapas, Shiva’s Indra-Form Test, and the Bestowal of Kshiroda and Gaṇapatya
आज्योदनार्णवश्चैव फललेह्यार्णवस् तथा अपूपगिरयश्चैव भक्ष्यभोज्यार्णवः पुनः
ājyodanārṇavaścaiva phalalehyārṇavas tathā apūpagirayaścaiva bhakṣyabhojyārṇavaḥ punaḥ
There are indeed oceans of rice mixed with ghee, oceans of fruits and sweet linctus (lehya), mountains of ritual cakes (apūpa), and again an ocean of all foods—edibles and cooked offerings—manifest as the fruit of meritorious giving and worship.
Suta Goswami
FAQs
It presents the vast abundance produced by offerings and charity connected to Shiva-puja—especially food and naivedya—showing that sincere giving in the Lord’s worship yields expansive merit (punya) and supportive conditions for spiritual progress.
While the verse lists the fruits of merit as abundant divine enjoyments, Shaiva Siddhanta reads this as Shiva (Pati) granting regulated bhoga to the pashu, gradually loosening pasha; the abundance is a sign of His lordship and grace, not the final goal itself.
It highlights annadana and naivedya—offering ghee, rice, sweets, fruits, and prepared foods in Shiva worship—supporting purification of the devotee and accumulation of punya that can be directed toward higher sadhana.