Shloka 13
Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna
अथान्यच्च प्रवक्ष्यामि दानं सर्वोत्तमं मुने । कांतारं यन्न पश्यंति यमस्य बहुदुःखदम्
athānyacca pravakṣyāmi dānaṃ sarvottamaṃ mune | kāṃtāraṃ yanna paśyaṃti yamasya bahuduḥkhadam
Now, O sage, I shall speak of another gift—an offering that is supreme: by it one does not behold the dreadful wilderness of Yama, which brings manifold suffering.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga story; it introduces a ‘supreme gift’ that prevents encountering Yama’s painful wilderness—an eschatological/dharmic warning motif preparing for the next verse(s) specifying the dāna.
Significance: General: emphasizes protection from post-mortem suffering; in Śaiva reading, right conduct and Śiva-oriented merit mitigate Yama’s jurisdiction, ultimately superseded by Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It teaches that supremely meritorious dāna purifies karmic bonds and protects the soul from painful post-death experiences symbolized as Yama’s terrifying wilderness, aligning one toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
In Shaiva practice, worship of Saguna Shiva (including Linga-pūjā) is strengthened by dharma such as dāna; charity becomes an outward expression of devotion that supports inner purification, making one fit for Shiva’s saving presence beyond Yama’s domain.
A practical takeaway is to pair Shiva worship with regular dāna (food, water, clothing, or support to the needy) as part of vrata/pujā discipline—especially on Shiva days—so devotion is joined with purifying action.