Shloka 27

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

माघमासे रथं कृत्वा सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम् दद्यात् सम्पूज्य देवेशं ब्राह्मणांश्चैव भोजयेत्

Transliteration

māghamāse rathaṃ kṛtvā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam dadyāt sampūjya deveśaṃ brāhmaṇāṃścaiva bhojayet

Translation

マーガ月に、あらゆる吉祥の相を備えた車を整えて布施として捧げ、ついで諸天の主（シヴァ）を正しく礼拝し、さらにバラモンたちにも食を施すべきである。

Word by Word

• माघमासे: in the month of Māgha

• रथं: a chariot

• कृत्वा: having made/prepared

• सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्: marked by all auspicious characteristics

• दद्यात्: should give (as dāna)

• सम्पूज्य: having worshipped properly

• देवेशम्: the Lord of the gods (Śiva)

• ब्राह्मणान्: brāhmaṇas

• च एव: and also

• भोजयेत्: should feed

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Śaiva dāna-vidhi to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It links Śiva-arcana (worship of Deveśa) with dāna and brāhmaṇa-bhojana, presenting worship as complete when devotion is expressed through righteous giving and service.

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

By naming Him “Deveśa,” it affirms Śiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord—whose worship sanctifies acts of charity, turning ritual merit into a means for the paśu to move toward freedom from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Māgha observance emphasizing ratha-dāna (donation of a chariot) after proper Śiva-pūjā, followed by feeding brāhmaṇas—an outward discipline that supports inner purification aligned with Śaiva dharma.