Shloka 42

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणानां सहस्रं च भोजयित्वा यथाविधि विद्याविनयसम्पन्नं ब्राह्मणं वेदपारगम्

Transliteration

brāhmaṇānāṃ sahasraṃ ca bhojayitvā yathāvidhi vidyāvinayasampannaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ vedapāragam

Translation

Having fed a thousand brāhmaṇas according to the prescribed rite, one should especially honor and support a brāhmaṇa endowed with learning and humility, who has crossed to the far shore of the Veda; then the offering becomes truly fit for Śiva, the Pati who loosens the pāśa-bonds of the pashu (soul).

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of brāhmaṇas

• सहस्रम्: a thousand

• च: and

• भोजयित्वा: having fed

• यथाविधि: according to rule/rite

• विद्याविनयसम्पन्नम्: endowed with knowledge and discipline/humility

• ब्राह्मणम्: a brāhmaṇa

• वेदपारगम्: one who has mastered the Veda (gone to its far shore)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Linga-pūjā is strengthened by dharmic charity: feeding brāhmaṇas properly and honoring a truly learned, humble Veda-knower makes the offering spiritually potent and Śiva-pleasing.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord to whom offerings are ultimately directed—who grants inner purification and releases the pashu (individual soul) from pāśa (bondage) when worship is joined with right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A dāna/puṇya practice: brāhmaṇa-bhojana (feeding brāhmaṇas) done yathāvidhi, with special regard for vidyā and vinaya—supporting the worthy as an extension of Śaiva pūjā.