Shloka 14
पुराणविदः महिमा तथा अध्ययन-अध्यापन-दानफलम्
The Glory of the Purāṇa-Knower and the Fruits of Study, Teaching, and Giving
शंभोरायतने यस्तु कारयेद्धर्मपुस्तकम् । विष्णोरर्कस्य कस्यापि शृणु तस्यापि तत्फलम्
śaṃbhorāyatane yastu kārayeddharmapustakam | viṣṇorarkasya kasyāpi śṛṇu tasyāpi tatphalam
Quiconque fait préparer un livre sacré de dharma et l’installe dans le sanctuaire de Śambhu (le Seigneur Śiva) — écoute aussi le fruit d’un acte semblable dans le temple de Viṣṇu, de Sūrya, ou de quelque divinité que ce soit.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Uma Samhita’s discourse on dharma and merit)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a specific sthala narrative; the ‘Śambhu-āyatana’ functions as a general temple context where dharma-text installation is meritorious, extending also to Viṣṇu/Sūrya/any deva—an ecumenical Purāṇic framing.
Significance: Merit accrues by commissioning and installing dharma/scripture in temples, supporting public access to śāstra and sustained śravaṇa—seen as a high dāna that leads to elevated lokas.
Shakti Form: Umā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It elevates dharmic knowledge as a sacred offering: commissioning and placing a dharma-text in a temple becomes a lasting act of seva that supports right conduct and devotion, generating punya that aids the soul’s purification toward Shiva-realization.
By highlighting Śambhu’s āyatana (Shiva’s shrine), it frames Saguna worship as service to Shiva’s manifest presence; supporting dharma-teachings in the temple complements Linga-upasana by cultivating understanding, discipline, and devotion around Shiva’s abode.
A practical takeaway is dharma-pustaka-seva: sponsor/prepare sacred texts for temple use (recitation, study, instruction) as an offering; pair it with regular Shiva-temple worship such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) and simple temple service.