Shloka 25

Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna

Devanagari script

तुलापुरुषदानं हि दानानां दानमुत्तमम् । तुलासंरोहणं कार्यं यदीच्छेच्छ्रेय आत्मनः

Transliteration

tulāpuruṣadānaṃ hi dānānāṃ dānamuttamam | tulāsaṃrohaṇaṃ kāryaṃ yadīcchecchreya ātmanaḥ

Translation

ತುಲಾಪುರುಷದಾನವು ದಾನಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ದಾನ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಆತ್ಮಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಬಯಸುವವನು ವಿಧಿಪೂರ್ವಕ ತುಲಾಸಂರೋಹಣವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.

Word by Word

• tulā-puruṣa-dānam: the donation of a person (weighed) on a balance
• tulā-puruṣa-dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tulā (प्रातिपदिक) + puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle/हेतौ-निश्चयार्थक अव्यय (indeed/for)

• dānānām: of (all) gifts
• dānānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dānam: gift/donation
• dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• uttamam: the best
• uttamam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective of ‘dānam’

• tulā-saṃrohaṇam: ascending the balance (weighing rite)
• tulā-saṃrohaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tulā (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃrohaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular (एकवचन)

• kāryam: should be performed
• kāryam: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) → kārya (कृदन्त; यत्)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular (एकवचन); gerundive ‘to be done/should be done’

• yadi: if
• yadi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: Conditional particle/शर्तार्थक अव्यय (if)

• icchet: should desire
• icchet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• śreyaḥ: welfare/the good
• śreyaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ātmanaḥ: of oneself
• ātmanaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva Purana teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that selfless, proportionate giving (tulāpuruṣa-dāna) is a powerful purifier of karmic bonds (pāśa), supporting inner clarity and auspicious spiritual progress (śreyas) under Shiva’s grace.

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

In Shaiva practice, outward rites like dāna are offered as devotion to Saguna Shiva (often in a linga shrine setting), cultivating humility and surrender—qualities that make one fit for Shiva’s anugraha (grace) and deeper worship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It specifically recommends tulā-saṃrohaṇa and tulāpuruṣa-dāna—being weighed and donating equivalent value—ideally performed with purity, mantra remembrance (e.g., Shiva’s names/Panchakshara), and a non-possessive intent.