Shloka 18

Devanagari script

तथा गोमिथुनं चैव कपिलं विनिवेदयेत् भवाय देवदेवाय शिवाय परमेष्ठिने

Transliteration

tathā gomithunaṃ caiva kapilaṃ vinivedayet bhavāya devadevāya śivāya parameṣṭhine

Translation

അതുപോലെ പശുക്കളുടെ ജോഡിയും കപിലാ പശുവും ഭവൻ—ദേവദേവൻ, പരമേശ്വരൻ ശിവനു സമർപ്പിക്കണം; ഇത്തരമൊരു ദാനത്തിലൂടെ പതി-അനുഗ്രഹം കൊണ്ട് പശു പാശബന്ധനത്തിൽ നിന്ന് മോക്ഷപഥത്തിലേക്ക് നീങ്ങുന്നു।

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/also

• go-mithunam: a pair of cows (bull and cow)

• ca eva: and indeed

• kapilam: a tawny cow (kapilā)

• vinivedayet: should offer/present with devotion

• bhavāya: to Bhava (Śiva as the source of becoming and its transcendence)

• deva-devāya: to the God of gods

• śivāya: to Śiva, the auspicious one

• parameṣṭhine: to the Supreme Lord, enthroned as the highest reality

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhava

FAQs

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

It highlights dāna as an integral limb of Śiva-pūjā: offering cows—especially a revered kapilā cow—is presented as a high meritorious act dedicated to Bhava-Śiva, supporting purity, dharma, and the devotee’s approach to Shiva’s grace.

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

By naming him Bhava, Devadeva, and Parameṣṭhin, the verse frames Śiva as Pati—the supreme sovereign beyond all gods—who governs becoming (bhava) yet stands transcendent, granting auspiciousness and liberation.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A pūjā-vidhi element is emphasized: go-dāna (donation of cows) as a devotional offering to Śiva, supporting inner purification that complements Pāśupata discipline aimed at loosening pāśa (bondage) for the pashu (soul).