Shloka 22

Devanagari script

सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन गां कोटिप्रदानतः । तत् फलं लभते शंभोः कथाश्रवणतो मुने

Transliteration

sarvatīrthāvagāhena gāṃ koṭipradānataḥ | tat phalaṃ labhate śaṃbhoḥ kathāśravaṇato mune

Translation

O sage, by listening to the sacred narrative of Śambhu (Lord Śiva), one attains that very fruit gained by bathing in all holy tīrthas and by gifting a crore of cows.

Word by Word

• सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन: by bathing in all sacred fords
• सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + तीर्थ + अवगाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘सर्व-तीर्थ-अवगाह’ = bathing/immersion in all pilgrim-places

• गाम्: a cow
• गाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कोटिप्रदानतः: by (the act of) giving a crore (of cows)
• कोटिप्रदानतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कोटि + प्रदान + तस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय; समास: कोटि-प्रदान (तत्पुरुष; ‘gift of a crore’) + तः (from/by)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• लभते: obtains
• लभते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कथाश्रवणतः: by hearing the story
• कथाश्रवणतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथा + श्रवण + तस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय; समास: कथा-श्रवण (तत्पुरुष) + तः

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages in a Purāṇic discourse style; ‘mune’ indicates address to a sage)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General tīrtha-mahātmyas are subsumed under Śiva-kathā-śravaṇa: the fruit of bathing at all sacred fords and gifting vast dāna is said to be obtained by hearing Śambhu’s narrative.

Significance: Reorients pilgrimage from geographic travel to inner sanctification through śravaṇa; positions Śiva-bhakti as the unifying ‘tīrtha’ that contains all tīrthas.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva-bhakti expressed through śravaṇa (devout listening) grants the same पुण्य (merit) as the greatest external acts—universal pilgrimage and massive charity—because the mind is turned toward Pati (Śiva), loosening pāśa (bondage).

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

Śambhu-kathā elevates Saguna devotion—hearing Śiva’s līlā, grace, and dharma—leading the devotee toward inner purity and steadiness that supports Linga-worship as a living presence rather than a mere ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Kathā-śravaṇa (listening/recitation) as a primary practice—especially on auspicious days like Mahāśivarātri—supported by remembrance and simple devotion (bhakti) alongside regular Śiva-upāsanā.