Shloka 23

Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ

Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit

Devanagari script

दत्तमर्थं हि भोगाय भूर्लोकेदशवार्षिकम् । वेदयुक्तस्य विप्रस्य स्वर्गे हि दशवार्षिकम्

Transliteration

dattamarthaṃ hi bhogāya bhūrlokedaśavārṣikam | vedayuktasya viprasya svarge hi daśavārṣikam

Translation

Wealth given in charity for the sake of enjoyment yields merit for ten years in the earthly realm; but when that gift is given to a brāhmaṇa learned in the Vedas, it grants merit for ten years in heaven.

Word by Word

• dattam: given
• dattam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √dā (धातु) → datta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agreeing with arthaṃ

• artham: wealth; object (gift)
• artham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis/indeed

• bhogāya: for enjoyment
• bhogāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (Dative/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; purpose ‘for enjoyment’

• bhūḥ: earth; Bhū-loka
• bhūḥ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; first member of compound

• loke: in the world
• loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन; in compound sense ‘in the world’

• daśavārṣikam: ten-year (duration)
• daśavārṣikam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक) + vārṣika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (numerical), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘ten-year(-long)’ (duration)

• veda: Veda
• veda: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (compound member)

• yuktasya: of one endowed/connected
• yuktasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √yuj (धातु) → yukta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; in compound sense ‘endowed with’

• vedayuktasya: of the Veda-endowed
• vedayuktasya: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक) + yukta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (instrumental/association sense), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; qualifying viprasya

• viprasya: of the Brahmin
• viprasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• svarge: in heaven
• svarge: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svarga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis/indeed

• daśavārṣikam: ten-year (duration)
• daśavārṣikam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक) + vārṣika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicate/measure of result

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

It teaches that charity is not only the act of giving, but also the intention and the worthiness of the recipient; giving aligned with dharma refines karma and yields higher, more luminous fruits.

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

In Shaiva practice, outer worship of the Liṅga is supported by inner discipline such as dana; righteous giving becomes an offering to Saguna Shiva, strengthening devotion and purity that make worship fruitful.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform dana as a conscious offering to Shiva—ideally after japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—and give respectfully to a qualified, Veda-versed brāhmaṇa or temple service, dedicating the merit to Shiva.