Shloka 64

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान्भोजयित्वा च पूजां कृत्वा प्रयत्नतः महामेरुव्रतं कृत्वा महादेवाय दापयेत्

Transliteration

brāhmaṇānbhojayitvā ca pūjāṃ kṛtvā prayatnataḥ mahāmeruvrataṃ kṛtvā mahādevāya dāpayet

Translation

バラモンたちに食を施し、努めて供養を成し遂げたのち、マハーメールの誓戒を修し、しかる後に定められた供物を大自在天マハーデーヴァへ布施として捧げるべきである。

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणान्: brāhmaṇas

• भोजयित्वा: having fed/caused to eat

• च: and

• पूजाम्: worship/ritual honor

• कृत्वा: having done

• प्रयत्नतः: with effort/carefully

• महामेरुव्रतम्: the Mahāmeru vow

• कृत्वा: having performed

• महादेवाय: to Mahādeva (Śiva)

• दापयेत्: should cause to be given/should offer as a gift

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Śiva-vrata and dāna procedure to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Mahadeva)
• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It frames Śiva-worship as a complete sādhana: honoring brāhmaṇas, performing pūjā with diligence, and sealing the act through vrata and dāna offered to Mahādeva—making devotion both ritual and transformative.

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

By directing the final offering to Mahādeva, it implies Śiva as Pati—the supreme recipient and liberator—through whom the bound pashu can be led beyond pāśa by disciplined worship and right giving.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A vrata-centered Śiva-pūjā sequence is highlighted: brāhmaṇa-bhojana (ritual feeding), careful pūjā, observance of Mahāmeru-vrata, and dāna dedicated to Śiva—supporting purification that complements Pāśupata-oriented liberation ideals.