Shloka 37

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

दद्याद्गोमिथुनं गौरं वारुणं लोकमाप्नुयात् श्रावणे च द्विजा मासे कृत्वा वै नक्तभोजनम्

Transliteration

dadyādgomithunaṃ gauraṃ vāruṇaṃ lokamāpnuyāt śrāvaṇe ca dvijā māse kṛtvā vai naktabhojanam

Translation

If one donates a pair of fair gaura-breed cows, one attains Varuṇa’s world. And in the month of Śrāvaṇa, O twice-born, by observing naktabhojana—eating only at night—one gains that purifying merit which turns the bound paśu toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

Word by Word

• दद्याद्: should give/donate

• गो-मिथुनम्: a pair of cows (cow-couple)

• गौरम्: fair/gaura breed, excellent

• वारुणम्: belonging to Varuṇa

• लोकम्: world/realm

• आप्नुयात्: would attain

• श्रावणे: in (the month of) Śrāvaṇa

• च: and

• द्विजा: O twice-born (brāhmaṇa/initiated)

• मासे: in the month

• कृत्वा: having done/undertaken

• वै: indeed

• नक्त-भोजनम्: night-eating observance (taking food only at night)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Varuna
• Dwijas

FAQs

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

It frames charity (dāna) and Śrāvaṇa-vrata as purifying supports for Śiva-bhakti—preparing the worshipper to approach the Liṅga with greater inner śuddhi (purity) and steadiness.

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

While the verse names Varuṇa’s realm as a karmic result, its Shaiva import is that disciplined giving and restraint reduce pāśa (bondage) and orient the paśu toward Pati—Śiva as the ultimate purifier beyond worldly attainments.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Two practices are highlighted: go-dāna (donation of a cow-pair) and naktabhojana-vrata in Śrāvaṇa (eating only at night), a restraint-based observance aligned with tapas and devotional discipline.