Shloka 51

यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः

Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama

Devanagari script

एवं दानविशेषेण धर्मराजपुरं नरः । यस्माद्याति विमानेन तस्माद्दानं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

evaṃ dānaviśeṣeṇa dharmarājapuraṃ naraḥ | yasmādyāti vimānena tasmāddānaṃ samācaret

Translation

Así, mediante esta forma particular de caridad, el hombre llega a la ciudad de Dharmarāja (Yama) en un carro celestial; por ello, debe practicarse diligentemente tal dádiva.

Word by Word

एवम्thus

दान-विशेषेणby this special charity

धर्मराज-पुरम्the city of Dharmarāja (Yama)

नरःa man

यस्मात्from which/therefore

यातिgoes

विमानेनby an aerial car (vimāna)

तस्मात्therefore

दानम्charity/giving

समाचरेत्should practice/perform

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the teaching of Umāsaṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Characters & Entities

Dharmaraja (Yama)

FAQs

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

The verse highlights dāna as a concrete dharmic act that yields a visible karmic fruit—elevation to a higher post-death state—thereby encouraging disciplined generosity as part of a Shaiva life of righteousness that supports inner purification.

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

While the verse speaks directly about dāna, in Shaiva practice such merit supports purity (śuddhi) and readiness for Linga-worship and devotion to Saguna Shiva; charity becomes an auxiliary discipline that steadies the devotee’s dharma and receptivity to Shiva’s grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The direct practice is dāna performed properly and consistently; as a Shaiva takeaway, one may pair charitable giving with remembrance of Shiva (e.g., japa of the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to keep the act inwardly dedicated.