Shloka 46
यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः
Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama
तानन्नदाश्च गच्छंति तस्मादन्नप्रदो भवेत् । यदीच्छेदात्मनो भव्यमिह लोके परत्र च
tānannadāśca gacchaṃti tasmādannaprado bhavet | yadīcchedātmano bhavyamiha loke paratra ca
Those who give food attain those auspicious states; therefore one should become a giver of food. If one desires well-being for oneself in this world and in the world beyond, one should surely practice the gift of food.
Lord Shiva (as spiritual instructor within Umāsaṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Annadāna is taught as a universal dharma leading to auspicious lokas; while not tied to a single jyotirliṅga here, it aligns with kṣetra-dharma at major Śiva temples where feeding pilgrims is a principal service.
Significance: Merit through feeding devotees/guests (atithi-sevā) is framed as a direct means to welfare here and hereafter.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It elevates annadāna (gift of food) as a direct, compassionate dharma that yields auspicious merit and inner well-being, supporting the soul’s progress under Shiva’s grace in both worldly life and the afterlife.
In Saguna Shiva worship, service to living beings is treated as service to Shiva’s manifested order; annadāna complements Linga-pūjā by turning devotion into tangible compassion and dharmic merit.
Perform annadāna as a vow (vrata)—offer sanctified food after Shiva-pūjā, ideally with remembrance of the Panchāksharī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dedicating the merit to Shiva.