Shloka 47

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

संवत्सरान्ते गोदानं वृषोत्सर्गं विशेषतः भोजयेद्ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या श्रोत्रियान् वेदपारगान्

Transliteration

saṃvatsarānte godānaṃ vṛṣotsargaṃ viśeṣataḥ bhojayedbrāhmaṇānbhaktyā śrotriyān vedapāragān

Translation

Pada penghujung tahun, hendaklah dilakukan go-dāna (sedekah lembu) dan khususnya melaksanakan vṛṣotsarga, iaitu pelepasan lembu jantan secara ritual. Dengan bhakti, hendaklah dijamu para Brāhmaṇa—para śrotriya yang terlatih dalam Veda dan menguasai Veda—sebagai persembahan yang menyenangkan Pati, Śiva.

Word by Word

• saṃvatsara-ante: at the end of the year

• go-dānam: gifting of cows

• vṛṣa-utsargam: releasing/consecrating a bull (vṛṣotsarga)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular

• bhojayet: should feed, should cause to eat

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmanas

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• śrotriyān: Veda-schooled, authorized reciters

• veda-pāragān: those who have gone to the far shore of the Veda, Veda-masters

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames end-of-year charity—go-dāna, vṛṣotsarga, and feeding qualified śrotriya Brāhmaṇas—as a Shaiva act that supports dharma and invites Śiva’s anugraha (grace), preparing the devotee for steadier Linga-pūjā.

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

Implicitly, Śiva is Pati (the Lord) who is pleased by bhakti expressed through dhārmic giving; such acts help loosen pasha (bondage) around the pashu (individual soul) and orient one toward liberation through right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual charity practices: go-dāna (cow-gift), vṛṣotsarga (bull release/consecration), and devotional feeding of Veda-qualified Brāhmaṇas—supportive disciplines that complement Shaiva sādhanā rather than a specific yogic technique.