Shloka 4

Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna

Devanagari script

तुलादानानि शस्तानि गावः पृथ्वी सरस्वती । द्वे तु तुल्यबले शस्ते ह्यधिका च सरस्वती

Transliteration

tulādānāni śastāni gāvaḥ pṛthvī sarasvatī | dve tu tulyabale śaste hyadhikā ca sarasvatī

Translation

Among gifts made by weighing (tulā-dāna), the gifts of cows, of land, and of Sarasvatī—sacred learning—are praised. Of these, two are said to be equal in meritorious power, yet the gift of Sarasvatī is held to be superior.

Word by Word

• तुलादानानि: balance-gifts (weighing donations)
• तुलादानानि: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुला + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-भाव): 'तुलायाः दानानि' (gifts by weighing / balance-gifts)

• शस्तानि: are praised/commended
• शस्तानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त (कृदन्त; √शंस् धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP) used adjectivally, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; predicate adjective

• गावः: cows
• गावः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• पृथ्वी: earth
• पृथ्वी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथ्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī (goddess/learning)
• सरस्वती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• द्वे: two (things)
• द्वे: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; numeral used substantively

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• तुल्यबले: in equal merit/strength
• तुल्यबले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य + बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कर्मधारय-भाव): 'तुल्यं बलं यस्मिन्' → 'in equal strength/merit'

• शस्ते: are praised
• शस्ते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त (कृदन्त; √शंस् धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP) used adjectivally, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन; agrees with 'द्वे'

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) giving emphasis/reason

• अधिका: superior
• अधिका: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; predicate adjective of 'सरस्वती'

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वती: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Uma-samhita teaching to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Frames dāna—especially vidyā-dāna (Sarasvatī)—as a purifier of the bound soul (paśu) and a support for dharma conducive to Śiva’s grace (anugraha).

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Lalitā

Role: teaching

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati

FAQs

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

It ranks charitable gifts and highlights that while material gifts (cows and land) yield great merit, the gift of Sarasvatī—sacred knowledge and learning—is highest because it directly removes ignorance and supports liberation-oriented devotion to Shiva.

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

Linga-worship is strengthened by right understanding of dharma and Shiva-tattva; Sarasvatī-dāna (supporting study, teaching, scriptures) sustains correct doctrine and devotion, making external worship fruitful and inwardly transformative.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice dāna with a Shaiva intention—support Vedic/Agamic study, teachers, and recitation; pair it with daily japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) so knowledge becomes lived sādhanā rather than mere information.