यममार्गे सुखदायकधर्माः
Dharmas that Grant Ease on the Path to Yama
नाभिनिंदेदधिगतं न प्रणुद्यात्कथंचन । अपि श्वपाके शुनि वा नान्नदानं प्रणश्यति
nābhiniṃdedadhigataṃ na praṇudyātkathaṃcana | api śvapāke śuni vā nānnadānaṃ praṇaśyati
योग्य रीतीने प्राप्त झालेले ज्ञान निंदू नये, आणि कधीही ते नाकारू नये. कुत्र्याला किंवा श्वपाक (चांडाळ) याला अन्न दिले तरी अन्नदानाचे पुण्य नष्ट होत नाही.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva dharma teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
It teaches that true dharma preserves sacred learning and practices compassion: the merit of anna-dāna is intrinsically purifying and is not nullified by the recipient’s social status.
In Shaiva dharma, service and offering (upacāra) to beings is aligned with honoring Shiva as Pati present in all; feeding others supports inner purity (śuddhi) that steadies Linga-worship and devotion.
Practice anna-dāna as a regular vrata—offer food respectfully without contempt, while mentally dedicating the act to Shiva (Śivārpaṇa-buddhi), supporting bhakti and purification.