Shloka 22
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
यत्सेवकाय दत्तं स्यात्तत्पादफलदं विदुः । जातिमात्रस्य विप्रस्य दीनवृत्तेर्द्विजर्षभाः
yatsevakāya dattaṃ syāttatpādaphaladaṃ viduḥ | jātimātrasya viprasya dīnavṛtterdvijarṣabhāḥ
The best among the twice-born know that whatever is given to a mere attendant yields only the fruit corresponding to his station. Likewise, when a gift is offered to a Brahmin who has nothing beyond birth alone and lives in poverty, its result is limited in the same way.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It teaches discernment in dāna: the fruit of giving depends on the spiritual and ethical stature of the recipient, not merely social labels—encouraging Shaiva devotees to unite generosity with right understanding.
In Linga-worship, offerings and charity are meant to refine the devotee’s intention and purity; this verse aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion by stressing that external acts (like giving) must be guided by inner discrimination (viveka) to bear higher spiritual fruit.
Practice dāna as a Shaiva discipline: after japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), give with humility to worthy recipients or Shiva’s devotees, treating charity as an offering to Shiva rather than a social transaction.