Shloka 20

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

सघृतं सगुडं चैव ओदनं परमेष्ठिने दत्त्वा च ब्राह्मणेभ्यश् च यथा विभवविस्तरम्

Transliteration

saghṛtaṃ saguḍaṃ caiva odanaṃ parameṣṭhine dattvā ca brāhmaṇebhyaś ca yathā vibhavavistaram

Translation

Habiendo ofrecido a Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā) arroz cocido con ghee y mezclado con jaggery, y habiendo dado asimismo a los brāhmaṇas según la amplitud de los propios medios, se sostiene el dharma y se purifica al paśu (el alma individual) mediante dāna sāttvico. Tal ofrenda ayuda a acercarse a Pati (Śiva) al aflojar el pāśa (atadura) nacido de la impureza y la mezquindad.

Word by Word

• स-घृतम् (sa-ghṛtam): with ghee

• स-गुडम् (sa-guḍam): with jaggery

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• ओदनम् (odanam): cooked rice/food offering

• परमेष्ठिने (parameṣṭhine): to Parameṣṭhin, i.e., Brahmā (the cosmic ordainer)

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having given/offered

• च (ca): and

• ब्राह्मणेभ्यः (brāhmaṇebhyaḥ): to the Brahmanas

• च (ca): also

• यथा (yathā): according to

• विभव-विस्तरम् (vibhava-vistaram): the extent of one’s resources/capacity.

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Brahmanas
• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames dāna and sattvic naivedya as preparatory purifiers: by giving according to one’s means, the devotee refines conduct and mind, making Linga-pūjā more effective and devotion steadier.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

While naming Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā) as the recipient, the verse supports a Shaiva reading where righteous giving weakens pasha (bondage) and turns the pashu toward Pati—Śiva as the ultimate purifier and liberator.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A simple puja-discipline of naivedya (odana with ghee and jaggery) and dāna to Brahmanas, performed proportionate to capacity—an ethical-ritual limb that supports inner purification aligned with Pāśupata-oriented restraint and generosity.