Shloka 76

दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas

Devanagari script

नानाविधानि दानानि भोज्यं च विविधन्तथा । ब्राह्मणानां यतीनां च कर्तव्यं यामसंख्यया

Transliteration

nānāvidhāni dānāni bhojyaṃ ca vividhantathā | brāhmaṇānāṃ yatīnāṃ ca kartavyaṃ yāmasaṃkhyayā

Translation

One should offer many kinds of gifts, and likewise various kinds of food, to Brahmins and to yatis (ascetics), doing so according to the prescribed divisions of the day (yāmas).

Word by Word

• नाना-विधानि: of many kinds
• नाना-विधानि: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nānā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + vidhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: नानाविधानि = विविधविधानि (of many kinds)

• दानानि: gifts/charities
• दानानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• भोज्यम्: food (to be offered)
• भोज्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhojya (प्रातिपदिक; √भुज्-योग्य, ‘to be eaten’)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विविधम्: varied
• विविधम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying भोज्यम्)

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of/for the Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sampradāna/Sambandha (सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• यतीनाम्: of/for the ascetics
• यतीनाम्: Sampradāna/Sambandha (सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidhi (विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kartavya (कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त; √कृ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative), ‘to be done/should be done’ (gerundive)

• याम-संख्यया: according to the count of yāmas (time-periods)
• याम-संख्यया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāma (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃkhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; तृतीया-करण (by means of); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: यामानां संख्या

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Dāna and anna-dāna to brāhmaṇas and yatīs are framed as preparatory śuddhi (purification) that supports Śiva’s anugraha and the softening of pāśa (bondage) through humility and service.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins
• Yatis (ascetics)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that devotion to Shiva is not only inner worship but also compassionate service—supporting Brahmins and renunciants through gifts and food at appropriate times, purifying karma and strengthening bhakti.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Jyotirlinga/Linga worship, external observances accompany mantra and pūjā. Feeding and giving (anna-dāna, dāna) are extensions of honoring Saguna Shiva present in His devotees and in the dharmic order upheld around the shrine.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is scheduled charity (yāma-wise): after or alongside Linga pūjā and japa of Shiva’s names/mantras, offer food and donations to Brahmins and yatis as a disciplined daily vow.