Shloka 44

Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ

Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit

Devanagari script

रौप्यं लवणकूष्मांडे कन्याद्वादशकं तथा । गोदानाद्दत्तगव्येन गोमयेनोपकारिणा

Transliteration

raupyaṃ lavaṇakūṣmāṃḍe kanyādvādaśakaṃ tathā | godānāddattagavyena gomayenopakāriṇā

Translation

One should also offer silver, salt, and the ash-gourd (kuṣmāṇḍa), and likewise the gift of twelve maidens. By gifting cows, one becomes a benefactor through all that comes from the cow—its milk and produce, even its dung—held to be purifying aids in sacred observance.

Word by Word

• रौप्यम्: silver (gift/thing)
• रौप्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रौप्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; (silver; as item/oblation)

• लवण-कूष्माण्डे: in (the matter of) salt and ash-gourd
• लवण-कूष्माण्डे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लवण (प्रातिपदिक) + कूष्माण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः; locative ‘in/with respect to salt and ash-gourd’

• कन्या-द्वादशकम्: a set of twelve maidens
• कन्या-द्वादशकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वादशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कन्यानां द्वादशकम्)

• तथा: and also / likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रमसूचक (also/likewise)

• गो-दानात्: from the gift of a cow / from cow-donation
• गो-दानात्: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गवां दानम्)

• दत्त-गव्येन: by/with the given bovine product
• दत्त-गव्येन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दत्त (कृदन्त; √दा (धातु) क्त) + गव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘given/obtained bovine-product’; instrumental ‘by/with’

• गोमयेन: with cow-dung
• गोमयेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; instrumental ‘by/with cow-dung’

• उपकारिणा: by the helpful (means/agent)
• उपकारिणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपकारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; विशेषण; instrumental ‘by/with the helpful (one/means)’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: The Kāśī-oriented teaching emphasizes purificatory media (gavyas, gomaya) used in vrata and śauca; these are preparatory to approaching Viśvanātha, who loosens bondage by removing impurity (mala) through disciplined observance.

Significance: Use of cow-derived purifiers and regulated dāna is framed as pāśa-kṣaya (weakening bondage) enabling deeper Śiva-upāsanā in Kāśī.

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes that dana (sacred giving) and purity-supporting substances are auxiliaries to Shiva-bhakti: they soften egoism, support dharmic living, and prepare the devotee’s mind for grace (anugraha) in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.

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

Such offerings and gifts are presented as supportive acts around Saguna Shiva worship—outer discipline and generosity strengthen inner devotion, making Linga-puja steadier and more sattvic.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It points to charitable giving connected with worship (especially godana) and the use of purificatory aids like gomaya in maintaining ritual cleanliness—practically paired with regular Linga-puja, bhasma observance, and japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).