Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणान् भोजयित्वा च यथाविभवविस्तरम् धूम्रं गोमिथुनं दत्त्वा वायुलोके महीयते

Transliteration

brāhmaṇān bhojayitvā ca yathāvibhavavistaram dhūmraṃ gomithunaṃ dattvā vāyuloke mahīyate

Translation

既依自身资财周备供养婆罗门，又布施一头烟褐色母牛并一头公牛（繁殖一对），则于风神瓦由之界受尊崇。此等布施若以湿婆之心奉行，能松解缚魂（paśu）之缚索（pāśa），并护持归依主宰（Pati）——湿婆——的奉爱之道。

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मणान्: the Brāhmaṇas

• भोजयित्वा: having fed (having offered a meal)

• च: and

• यथा: according to

• विभव: one’s capacity/means

• विस्तरम्: in due extent/appropriately

• धूम्रम्: brown/dusky (hued)

• गोमिथुनम्: a cow-and-bull pair (breeding pair)

• दत्त्वा: having given/donated

• वायुलोके: in the world/realm of Vāyu

• महीयते: is honored/glorified

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Vayu
• Brahmanas

FAQs

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

It links Shaiva dharma to sattvic charity: feeding Brāhmaṇas and gifting a cow-pair are presented as supportive acts that generate merit and prepare the devotee for steadier Linga-bhakti and Shiva-oriented living.

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

Implicitly, it frames the path to Pati (Śiva) as aided by dharmic action: when charity is offered with Shaiva intent, the paśu’s bondage (pāśa) is weakened, aligning life toward Śiva-tattva through purification and right conduct.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Dāna and anna-dāna (feeding Brāhmaṇas) are highlighted as purificatory disciplines; they function as supportive observances that stabilize the seeker for Shaiva sādhanā, including Pashupata-oriented restraint and devotion.