Shloka 40

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

गृहोपकरणैश्चैव मुसलोलूखलादिभिः दासीदासादिभिश्चैव शयनैरशनादिभिः

Transliteration

gṛhopakaraṇaiścaiva musalolūkhalādibhiḥ dāsīdāsādibhiścaiva śayanairaśanādibhiḥ

Translation

One should also offer household implements—such as pestles, mortars, and the like—together with servants (female and male), as well as beds, food, and related necessities. Such giving, when dedicated to the Lord (Pati), loosens the bonds (pāśa) that bind the soul (paśu) and supports righteous life in the path of Śiva.

Word by Word

• gṛha-upakaraṇaiḥ: with household implements

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• musala: pestle

• ulūkhala: mortar

• ādibhiḥ: and other such items

• dāsī: maidservant

• dāsa: male servant

• ādibhiḥ: and the like/others

• ca eva: and also

• śayanaiḥ: with beds/couches

• aśanaiḥ: with food/edibles

• ādibhiḥ: and related provisions

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva-dharma instructions within the Linga Purana discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames dana (charitable offering) as a practical support to Shiva-dharma: offering useful household goods and necessities as an act of devotion that complements Linga-puja and strengthens purity, service, and merit.

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

Shiva is implicitly the Pati (Lord) who receives offerings through dharmic action; dedication of worldly resources to Him helps the paśu (individual soul) reduce pāśa (bondage) and move toward grace-oriented liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dana as an auxiliary limb of Shiva-bhakti: giving resources that sustain worship, hospitality, and temple/ashrama life—supporting the practitioner’s discipline alongside puja and Pashupata-oriented self-purification.