Shloka 13
पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा
Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks
शरत्काले तु सलिलं तडागे यस्य तिष्ठति । गोसहस्रफलं तस्य भवेन्नैवात्र संशयः
śaratkāle tu salilaṃ taḍāge yasya tiṣṭhati | gosahasraphalaṃ tasya bhavennaivātra saṃśayaḥ
If, in the autumn season, water remains in a person’s pond (one who maintains a reservoir for beings), that person surely gains merit equal to the gift of a thousand cows—of this there is no doubt.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana’s teaching on dharma and merit to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it extends the taḍāga-dharma teaching: if water remains in one’s pond through śarat (autumn), the merit equals gifting a thousand cows (go-sahasra-dāna).
Significance: Encourages sustaining water availability beyond monsoon—an ethic of ongoing support for beings; in Siddhānta, such dharma supports purification (mala-kṣaya) and readiness for Śiva-anugraha.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It elevates lokasaṅgraha (welfare of beings) as Shaiva dharma: sustaining water for creatures is a compassionate act that purifies the doer and accrues great puṇya, supporting the soul’s gradual fitness for Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, devotion to Saguna Shiva is not only ritual (liṅga-pūjā) but also dharmic service; providing water mirrors offering ācamana/abhisheka to Shiva and extends that offering to all beings as Shiva’s manifestations.
A practical takeaway is jaladāna (water charity): maintain or refill a pond/tank, especially in śarat; while doing so, repeat the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and dedicate the merit to Shiva for inner purification.