Shloka 22

पुराणविदः महिमा तथा अध्ययन-अध्यापन-दानफलम्

The Glory of the Purāṇa-Knower and the Fruits of Study, Teaching, and Giving

Devanagari script

सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन गां कोटिप्रदानतः । तत् फलं लभते शंभोः कथाश्रवणतो मुने

Transliteration

sarvatīrthāvagāhena gāṃ koṭipradānataḥ | tat phalaṃ labhate śaṃbhoḥ kathāśravaṇato mune

Translation

おお牟尼よ、シャンブ（主シヴァ）の聖なる物語を聴聞するなら、あらゆるティールタに沐浴し、さらに一クロールの牛を布施するのと同じ果報を得る。

Word by Word

• सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन: by bathing in all sacred fords
• सर्वतीर्थावगाहेन: Karana (करण/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + तीर्थ + अवगाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘सर्व-तीर्थ-अवगाह’ = bathing/immersion in all pilgrim-places

• गाम्: a cow
• गाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कोटिप्रदानतः: by (the act of) giving a crore (of cows)
• कोटिप्रदानतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कोटि + प्रदान + तस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय; समास: कोटि-प्रदान (तत्पुरुष; ‘gift of a crore’) + तः (from/by)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता; subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• लभते: obtains
• लभते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• शम्भोः: of Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कथाश्रवणतः: by hearing the story
• कथाश्रवणतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथा + श्रवण + तस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय; समास: कथा-श्रवण (तत्पुरुष) + तः

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages in a Purāṇic discourse style; ‘mune’ indicates address to a sage)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that Śiva-bhakti expressed through śravaṇa (devout listening) grants the same पुण्य (merit) as the greatest external acts—universal pilgrimage and massive charity—because the mind is turned toward Pati (Śiva), loosening pāśa (bondage).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Śambhu-kathā elevates Saguna devotion—hearing Śiva’s līlā, grace, and dharma—leading the devotee toward inner purity and steadiness that supports Linga-worship as a living presence rather than a mere ritual.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Kathā-śravaṇa (listening/recitation) as a primary practice—especially on auspicious days like Mahāśivarātri—supported by remembrance and simple devotion (bhakti) alongside regular Śiva-upāsanā.