Shloka 4
पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा
Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks
अर्द्धं पापस्य हरति पुरुषस्य विकर्मणः । कूपः प्रवृत्तपानीयः सुप्रवृत्तस्य नित्यशः
arddhaṃ pāpasya harati puruṣasya vikarmaṇaḥ | kūpaḥ pravṛttapānīyaḥ supravṛttasya nityaśaḥ
தவறான செயலில் வீழ்ந்த மனிதனின் பாவத்தின் பாதியை, ஓடிவரும் குடிநீர் வழங்கும் கிணறு அகற்றும்; என்றும் தர்மத்தில் நிலைத்தவர்க்கு அதே கிணறு எப்போதும் புண்ணியத்தை அளிக்கும்.
Lord Shiva (in Umāsaṃhitā’s instructional discourse, narrated in the Purāṇic frame by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vaidyanātha
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: The verse’s ‘sin-removal’ and ‘healing’ logic resonates with Vaidyanātha (Śiva as divine physician). Though not a direct Jyotirliṅga narrative, it thematically aligns with Śiva’s role as remover of pāpa and giver of ārogya.
Significance: Pilgrims seek relief from afflictions and karmic burdens; the verse parallels the idea of ongoing merit (nitya-phala) through continuous benefit to others.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that compassionate public service—especially making clean drinking water accessible—has strong purificatory power: it reduces pāpa for the misguided and continuously accumulates puṇya for the dharmic, reflecting Shaiva ethics of upliftment through right action.
In Saguna Shiva devotion, worship is not only temple-ritual but also Shiva-pleasing conduct (śiva-priya dharma). Acts that protect and sustain life, like providing water, are treated as offerings in spirit—akin to jalābhiṣeka—because they embody Shiva’s grace expressed as compassion.
Practice pānīya-dāna (offering/providing drinking water) as a regular vrata; mentally dedicate the act to Lord Shiva with the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” treating the service as a living abhiṣeka to Shiva present in all beings.