Shloka 47

Pāśupata-vrata Māhātmya: Dvādaśa-Liṅga Mahāvrata, Month-wise Dravya, and Pūjā-krama

Devanagari script

संवत्सरान्ते गोदानं वृषोत्सर्गं विशेषतः भोजयेद्ब्राह्मणान्भक्त्या श्रोत्रियान् वेदपारगान्

Transliteration

saṃvatsarānte godānaṃ vṛṣotsargaṃ viśeṣataḥ bhojayedbrāhmaṇānbhaktyā śrotriyān vedapāragān

Translation

至一年终了，应行施牛之供（go-dāna），尤当举行放牛仪（vṛṣotsarga，仪式性放生公牛）。并以虔敬供养婆罗门——受吠陀传承训练的śrotriya、通达诸吠陀者——作为令主宰湿婆（Pati）欢喜的供献。

Word by Word

• saṃvatsara-ante: at the end of the year

• go-dānam: gifting of cows

• vṛṣa-utsargam: releasing/consecrating a bull (vṛṣotsarga)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular

• bhojayet: should feed, should cause to eat

• brāhmaṇān: Brahmanas

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• śrotriyān: Veda-schooled, authorized reciters

• veda-pāragān: those who have gone to the far shore of the Veda, Veda-masters

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Linga Purana teachings to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

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

It frames end-of-year charity—go-dāna, vṛṣotsarga, and feeding qualified śrotriya Brāhmaṇas—as a Shaiva act that supports dharma and invites Śiva’s anugraha (grace), preparing the devotee for steadier Linga-pūjā.

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

Implicitly, Śiva is Pati (the Lord) who is pleased by bhakti expressed through dhārmic giving; such acts help loosen pasha (bondage) around the pashu (individual soul) and orient one toward liberation through right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Ritual charity practices: go-dāna (cow-gift), vṛṣotsarga (bull release/consecration), and devotional feeding of Veda-qualified Brāhmaṇas—supportive disciplines that complement Shaiva sādhanā rather than a specific yogic technique.