Shloka 3

ब्रह्माण्डदान-प्रशंसा तथा ब्रह्माण्ड-प्रमाण-वर्णनम्

Praise of the Gift of the Cosmic Egg and Description of the Brahmāṇḍa’s Measure

Devanagari script

दानानामुत्तमं दानं ब्रह्माण्डं खलु मानवैः । दातव्यं मुक्तिकामैस्तु संसारोत्तारणाय वै

Transliteration

dānānāmuttamaṃ dānaṃ brahmāṇḍaṃ khalu mānavaiḥ | dātavyaṃ muktikāmaistu saṃsārottāraṇāya vai

Translation

Of all gifts, the supreme gift is indeed the gift of the brahmāṇḍa—the offering of the entire universe. Therefore, those who yearn for liberation should give, that they may cross beyond saṃsāra.

Word by Word

• दानानाम्: of charities
• दानानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive 6th, Plural; 'of gifts'

• उत्तमम्: best
• उत्तमम्: Karta-pradhāna (कर्ता-प्रधान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative 1st, Singular; superlative used predicatively with दानम्

• दानम्: gift/charity
• दानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative 1st, Singular; subject

• ब्रह्माण्डम्: the Brahmāṇḍa (cosmic egg)
• ब्रह्माण्डम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + अण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative 1st, Singular; तत्पुरुष-समास (ब्रह्मणः अण्डम्)

• खलु: indeed
• खलु: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: खलु (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis/assurance

• मानवैः: by humans
• मानवैः: Kartr̥ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental 3rd, Plural; agent/performer

• दातव्यम्: should be given
• दातव्यम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Gerundive/obligative (तव्यत्), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative Singular; impersonal obligation 'is to be given'

• मुक्तिकामैः: by those desiring liberation
• मुक्तिकामैः: Kartr̥ (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental 3rd, Plural; तत्पुरुष-समास (मुक्तेः कामः) 'desirous of liberation'

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (निपात) contrast/emphasis

• संसारोत्तारणाय: for crossing over saṃsāra
• संसारोत्तारणाय: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संसार (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; purpose; तत्पुरुष-समास (संसारस्य उत्तारणम्)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching of Umāsaṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

The verse elevates dāna (charitable giving) to its highest ideal—complete relinquishment of possessiveness—teaching that inner renunciation and selfless offering purify the soul and support liberation from saṃsāra under Lord Shiva’s grace.

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

In Shiva Purana practice, offering (arpana) is central to Liṅga worship; this verse extends that spirit from ritual offerings to the whole of life—seeing everything as Shiva’s and giving without ego, which deepens Saguna Shiva devotion and prepares the mind for higher realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice dāna as a vow—offer food, clothing, or service in Shiva’s name, while mentally dedicating the fruits to Shiva (īśvarārpaṇa-buddhi). If observing Mahāśivarātri, combine charity with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”