Shloka 31
शिवपुराण-प्रशंसा (Praise of the Śiva Purāṇa) / Śivapurāṇa Māhātmya
विप्रेभ्यो व्यासमुख्येभ्यो दत्त्वायत्फलमश्नुते । तत्फलं संभवेत्तस्य सत्यं सत्यं न संशयः
viprebhyo vyāsamukhyebhyo dattvāyatphalamaśnute | tatphalaṃ saṃbhavettasya satyaṃ satyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
Whatever spiritual merit one attains by giving in charity to brāhmaṇas—especially to sages headed by Vyāsa—that very merit surely arises for him. It is truth, truth indeed—there is no doubt.
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pashu
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: As this is in the Viśveśvara-saṃhitā stream, the merit (puṇya) of dāna and śravaṇa is framed as leading toward Viśveśvara’s grace; Kāśī is portrayed in Śaiva tradition as the place where Śiva grants taraka-upadeśa and liberation, making gifts to worthy vipras especially efficacious.
Significance: Dāna to qualified brāhmaṇas/sages in a Śiva-kṣetra is said to mature quickly into puṇya and purification, supporting bhakti, śravaṇa, and eventual anugraha (grace).
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It affirms the certainty of puṇya (spiritual merit) gained through dāna to realized teachers and brāhmaṇas; such merit purifies the paśu (individual soul), supports dharma, and becomes a conducive cause for deepening Shiva-bhakti and moving toward liberation.
In the Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara context, charity complements Saguna Shiva worship: offerings to the Linga are paired with supporting Shiva’s devotees and Vedic teachers, strengthening devotion and right living that make worship fruitful.
Perform dāna—especially to learned brāhmaṇas and teachers—alongside Shiva-pūjā; on observances like Mahāśivarātri, combine charity with mantra-japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī) and disciplined conduct for amplified spiritual benefit.