Shloka 12
सर्वकामसमृद्धेन यथा गच्छंति गोप्रदाः । अत्र दत्तान्नपानानि तान्याप्नोति नरः पथि
sarvakāmasamṛddhena yathā gacchaṃti gopradāḥ | atra dattānnapānāni tānyāpnoti naraḥ pathi
Sebagaimana para pemberi sapi menempuh perjalanan dengan kelimpahan pemenuhan segala keinginan, demikian pula seorang manusia di jalan alam baka memperoleh makanan dan minuman yang dahulu ia dermakan di dunia ini.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; the verse gives a karmaphala mapping: gifts made ‘here’ become provisions ‘there’ on the preta-path (post-death journey).
Significance: Encourages annadāna as a universal pilgrimage-dharma: feeding travelers/guests mirrors the soul’s own need for support on the onward path.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
Cosmic Event: Post-death passage (preta-mārga) implied
FAQs
It teaches the karmic continuity of dāna: offerings made with dharma become real support for the jīva, especially during the vulnerable “path” after death, aligning one’s life with Shaiva virtue and auspicious destiny.
In Shaiva practice, feeding others (anna-dāna) is an extension of Linga-worship—serving Shiva present in beings; such compassionate giving complements pūjā and strengthens merit that supports spiritual progress.
Perform anna-dāna and water offerings (pāna-dāna), especially on Shiva days (e.g., Mahāśivarātri), while mentally dedicating the act to Lord Shiva and remembering the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).