यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः
Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama
कृत्वापि सुमहत्पापं यः पश्चादन्नदो भवेत् । विमुक्तस्सर्वपापेभ्यस्स्वर्गलोकं स गच्छति
kṛtvāpi sumahatpāpaṃ yaḥ paścādannado bhavet | vimuktassarvapāpebhyassvargalokaṃ sa gacchati
たとえ人が甚大な罪を犯したとしても、後に食を施す者となれば、あらゆる罪より解き放たれ、天界の世界へと至る。
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Promises strong expiatory fruit (pāpa-kṣaya) through annadāna; commonly institutionalized as feeding at Śiva kṣetras for purification and merit.
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
The verse teaches that annadāna (feeding others) is a powerful act of dharma that purifies grave karmic faults; in a Shaiva ethical frame, compassionate service becomes a concrete means of loosening pāśa (bondage) and restoring purity of conduct.
In Linga-centered Shaiva practice, worship is not only ritual but also seva; offering food to beings is treated as an extension of offering to Shiva present in all. Thus annadāna complements saguna upāsanā by turning devotion into compassionate action.
Perform annadāna—especially on Shiva days (Mahāśivarātri, Mondays, pradoṣa)—and dedicate the merit to Lord Shiva; it may be paired with simple japa such as “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while serving food.