Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

Uma–Maheshvara Vrata, Shula-dana, and Month-wise Ekabhakta Vrata

Devanagari script

कामतो ऽपि कृतं पापं भ्रूणहत्यादिकं च यत् तत्सर्वं शूलदानेन भिन्द्यान्नारी न संशयः

Transliteration

kāmato 'pi kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ bhrūṇahatyādikaṃ ca yat tatsarvaṃ śūladānena bhindyānnārī na saṃśayaḥ

Translation

即便是出于故意所造之罪，乃至如杀害胎儿等重罪，皆能因施献“戍罗”(Śūla，湿婆之三叉戟)而尽被击碎。行此布施之女子，必能破除诸恶业——毫无疑虑。

Word by Word

• kāmataḥ: deliberately, out of desire

• api: even

• kṛtam: done/committed

• pāpam: sin, demerit

• bhrūṇa-hatyā-ādikam: beginning with (the sin of) killing an embryo and other heinous acts

• ca: and

• yat: whatever

• tat-sarvam: all of that

• śūla-dānena: by the gifting/donation of the trident

• bhindyāt: may split/shatter/destroy

• nārī: woman

• na saṃśayaḥ: no doubt

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, within the Dana/Puja-mahātmya section)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames charity offered with Śiva-bhakti—specifically gifting the emblem of Śiva’s power (the Śūla)—as a potent prayāścitta that supports purification and eligibility for deeper Linga-pūjā.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati, the sovereign who can dissolve pāpa and its karmic bonds (pāśa) when approached through devotion and dharmic acts like dāna offered in his name.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Śūla-dāna (donation of a trident or its ritual substitute) is highlighted as a Shaiva expiatory rite (prayāścitta), supporting karmic cleansing that aids the pashu’s progress toward liberation.