Shloka 13
Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna
अथान्यच्च प्रवक्ष्यामि दानं सर्वोत्तमं मुने । कांतारं यन्न पश्यंति यमस्य बहुदुःखदम्
athānyacca pravakṣyāmi dānaṃ sarvottamaṃ mune | kāṃtāraṃ yanna paśyaṃti yamasya bahuduḥkhadam
ਹੁਣ, ਹੇ ਮੁਨੀ, ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਸਰਵੋਤਮ ਦਾਨ ਦੱਸਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ ਨਾਲ ਯਮ ਦਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਕਾਂਤਾਰ (ਦੁਰਗਮ ਜੰਗਲ) ਨਹੀਂ ਵੇਖਣਾ ਪੈਂਦਾ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga story; it introduces a ‘supreme gift’ that prevents encountering Yama’s painful wilderness—an eschatological/dharmic warning motif preparing for the next verse(s) specifying the dāna.
Significance: General: emphasizes protection from post-mortem suffering; in Śaiva reading, right conduct and Śiva-oriented merit mitigate Yama’s jurisdiction, ultimately superseded by Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It teaches that supremely meritorious dāna purifies karmic bonds and protects the soul from painful post-death experiences symbolized as Yama’s terrifying wilderness, aligning one toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
In Shaiva practice, worship of Saguna Shiva (including Linga-pūjā) is strengthened by dharma such as dāna; charity becomes an outward expression of devotion that supports inner purification, making one fit for Shiva’s saving presence beyond Yama’s domain.
A practical takeaway is to pair Shiva worship with regular dāna (food, water, clothing, or support to the needy) as part of vrata/pujā discipline—especially on Shiva days—so devotion is joined with purifying action.