Shloka 2
पुराणविदः महिमा तथा अध्ययन-अध्यापन-दानफलम्
The Glory of the Purāṇa-Knower and the Fruits of Study, Teaching, and Giving
श्रुतेरध्ययनात्पुण्यं यदाप्नोति द्विजोत्तमः । तदध्यापनतश्चापि द्विगुणं फलमश्नुते
śruteradhyayanātpuṇyaṃ yadāpnoti dvijottamaḥ | tadadhyāpanataścāpi dviguṇaṃ phalamaśnute
O pinakamainam sa mga dalawang-beses na isinilang, anumang kabutihang nakamit sa pag-aaral ng Śruti, yaon ding kabutihan ay nadodoble kapag itinuro sa iba—kaya’t tinatamasa niya ang dalawang ulit na bunga.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Umāsaṃhitā’s philosophical instruction)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Frames śruti-adhyayana and especially śruti-adhyāpana (teaching) as a merit-multiplier; in Śaiva Siddhānta this aligns with śivajñāna-pradāna (imparting liberating knowledge) as a high form of dharma and service to bound souls (paśu).
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse elevates dāna of knowledge above private learning: studying revelation purifies the seeker, but teaching it multiplies the benefit because it becomes a cause of dharma and inner upliftment in many minds—aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on right knowledge (jñāna) as a support for liberation under Shiva’s grace.
In the Shiva Purana, correct worship of the Linga (Saguna Shiva as the accessible form of the Supreme) is grounded in right scriptural understanding; teaching Śruti-based principles helps preserve proper mantra, ritual orientation, and devotion, preventing worship from becoming merely mechanical.
The implied practice is svādhyāya (scriptural recitation/study) followed by adhyāpana/pravācana (teaching or sharing the teaching). As a Shaiva takeaway, one may pair daily study with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and then transmit the teaching—through discourse, mentoring, or guided recitation—to gain the ‘twofold fruit’ described.