Shloka 13
पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा
Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks
शरत्काले तु सलिलं तडागे यस्य तिष्ठति । गोसहस्रफलं तस्य भवेन्नैवात्र संशयः
śaratkāle tu salilaṃ taḍāge yasya tiṣṭhati | gosahasraphalaṃ tasya bhavennaivātra saṃśayaḥ
Si en la estación de otoño el agua permanece en el estanque de una persona (que sostiene un depósito para los seres), esa persona alcanza sin duda el mérito equivalente a donar mil vacas; de ello no hay duda.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana’s teaching on dharma and merit to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it extends the taḍāga-dharma teaching: if water remains in one’s pond through śarat (autumn), the merit equals gifting a thousand cows (go-sahasra-dāna).
Significance: Encourages sustaining water availability beyond monsoon—an ethic of ongoing support for beings; in Siddhānta, such dharma supports purification (mala-kṣaya) and readiness for Śiva-anugraha.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It elevates lokasaṅgraha (welfare of beings) as Shaiva dharma: sustaining water for creatures is a compassionate act that purifies the doer and accrues great puṇya, supporting the soul’s gradual fitness for Shiva’s grace.
In Shaiva practice, devotion to Saguna Shiva is not only ritual (liṅga-pūjā) but also dharmic service; providing water mirrors offering ācamana/abhisheka to Shiva and extends that offering to all beings as Shiva’s manifestations.
A practical takeaway is jaladāna (water charity): maintain or refill a pond/tank, especially in śarat; while doing so, repeat the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and dedicate the merit to Shiva for inner purification.