Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

व्यपोहनस्तवनिरूपण-प्रसङ्गे नक्तभोजन-शिवव्रतविधिः (वार्षिक-प्रतिमास-क्रमः)

Devanagari script

दत्त्वा गोमिथुनं चैव पाण्डुरं विधिपूर्वकम् सोमलोकमनुप्राप्य सोमेन सह मोदते

Transliteration

dattvā gomithunaṃ caiva pāṇḍuraṃ vidhipūrvakam somalokamanuprāpya somena saha modate

Translation

Sa wastong ritwal, kapag nagkaloob ng isang pares ng maputlang puti (pāṇḍura) na baka, mararating ang Soma-loka at magagalak kasama ni Soma. Ang ganitong dāna ay nagpapadalisay sa paśu (kaluluwang nakagapos) sa pagluwag ng pāśa (gapós) sa pamamagitan ng kabutihang dharmiko sa ilalim ng Panginoon (Pati).

Word by Word

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having given/donated

• गोमिथुनम् (gomithunam): a pair of cows/cattle (male and female)

• चैव (caiva): and indeed

• पाण्डुरम् (pāṇḍuram): pale/white

• विधिपूर्वकम् (vidhipūrvakam): according to proper rule/rite

• सोमलोकम् (somalokam): the world/realm of Soma (Moon)

• अनुप्राप्य (anuprāpya): having reached/attaining

• सोमेन सह (somena saha): together with Soma

• मोदते (modate): rejoices/delights

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Soma

FAQs

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

It frames charity (especially go-dana performed by vidhi) as an auxiliary dharmic act that purifies the worshipper and supports eligibility for Shiva-oriented sadhana by reducing bondage through merit.

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

While Shiva is not named directly, the verse reflects a Shaiva worldview: karmic actions yield finite heavenly results (Soma-loka), whereas the Pati (Shiva) is the ultimate liberator beyond such realms—implying that dana is supportive but not the final means of moksha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

It highlights vidhipūrvaka go-dana (ritually prescribed donation of a cow-pair). As a Shaiva discipline, it functions as dharma-sadhana that steadies the mind and prepares the paśu for higher practices like Shiva-puja and Pashupata-oriented restraint.