Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

स्नानविधिः — गायत्र्यावाहन, सूर्यवन्दन, तर्पण, पञ्चमहायज्ञ, भस्मस्नान, मन्त्रस्नान

Devanagari script

सदारान् सर्वतत्त्वज्ञान् ब्राह्मणान् वेदपारगान् प्रणम्य तेभ्यो यद्दत्तम् अन्नं मानुष उच्यते

Transliteration

sadārān sarvatattvajñān brāhmaṇān vedapāragān praṇamya tebhyo yaddattam annaṃ mānuṣa ucyate

Translation

Ang pagkaing iniaalay—pagkatapos yumukod at magbigay-galang—sa mga Brahmana na namumuhay kasama ang kanilang asawa, nakaaalam ng lahat ng tattva, at nakatawid sa kabilang pampang ng mga Veda, ay tinatawag na handog na “mānuṣa” (uri ng tao).

Word by Word

• sadārān: with their wives/householders

• sarva-tattva-jñān: knowers of all tattvas (principles of reality)

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmanas

• veda-pāragān: those who have mastered the Vedas (gone to the far shore)

• praṇamya: having bowed/prostrated

• tebhyaḥ: to them

• yat-dattam: what is given/offered

• annam: food, cooked offering

• mānuṣaḥ: human (pertaining to mankind)

• ucyate: is said/declared

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya, within the Dana/Puja instruction stream)

FAQs

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

It frames anna-dāna (food-giving) as a disciplined, reverential act—bowing and offering to qualified Brahmanas—supporting the dharmic ecosystem that sustains Shiva-puja and purifies the devotee (pashu) from pasha through right action.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing tattva-jñāna (knowledge of principles), it points to Shaiva discernment where liberation comes through right knowledge and right conduct, culminating in orientation toward Pati (Shiva) as the supreme regulator of dharma and grace.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A dana-vidhi: offering cooked food with pranāma to Veda-knowing, tattva-wise household Brahmanas—an ethical-observance (yama-like discipline) that supports purity and steadiness for Shiva-upasana and Pashupata-oriented practice.