Shloka 20

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

सघृतं सगुडं चैव ओदनं परमेष्ठिने दत्त्वा च ब्राह्मणेभ्यश् च यथा विभवविस्तरम्

Transliteration

saghṛtaṃ saguḍaṃ caiva odanaṃ parameṣṭhine dattvā ca brāhmaṇebhyaś ca yathā vibhavavistaram

Translation

Having offered to Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā) rice cooked with ghee and mixed with jaggery, and likewise given to the brāhmaṇas according to the full measure of one’s means, one upholds dharma and purifies the paśu (individual soul) through sāttvika dāna. This gift helps one approach Pati (Śiva) by loosening the pāśa (bond) born of impurity and miserliness.

Word by Word

• स-घृतम् (sa-ghṛtam): with ghee

• स-गुडम् (sa-guḍam): with jaggery

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• ओदनम् (odanam): cooked rice/food offering

• परमेष्ठिने (parameṣṭhine): to Parameṣṭhin, i.e., Brahmā (the cosmic ordainer)

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having given/offered

• च (ca): and

• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः (brāhmaṇebhyaḥ): to the Brahmanas

• च (ca): also

• यथा (yathā): according to

• विभव-विस्तरम् (vibhava-vistaram): the extent of one’s resources/capacity.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Brahmanas
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames dāna and sattvic naivedya as preparatory purifiers: by giving according to one’s means, the devotee refines conduct and mind, making Linga-pūjā more effective and devotion steadier.

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

While naming Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā) as the recipient, the verse supports a Shaiva reading where righteous giving weakens pasha (bondage) and turns the pashu toward Pati—Śiva as the ultimate purifier and liberator.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A simple puja-discipline of naivedya (odana with ghee and jaggery) and dāna to Brahmanas, performed proportionate to capacity—an ethical-ritual limb that supports inner purification aligned with Pāśupata-oriented restraint and generosity.