Shloka 24

Adhyaya 84: शिवव्रतकथनम्

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

Devanagari script

व्रतं सुविपुलं पुण्यं नन्दिना परिभाषितम् मार्गशीर्षकमासे ऽथ वृषं पूर्णाङ्गमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

vrataṃ suvipulaṃ puṇyaṃ nandinā paribhāṣitam mārgaśīrṣakamāse 'tha vṛṣaṃ pūrṇāṅgamuttamam

Translation

难提（Nandin）宣说了一种广大而极具功德的誓行（vrata）。其后，于摩伽尸罗月，当奉献一头上妙、肢体完具之公牛——作为与湿婆礼敬相应的吉祥布施——令被缚之灵魂（paśu）趋向主宰（Pati）之恩 grace。

Word by Word

• व्रतम्: sacred observance/vow

• सुविपुलम्: very extensive/abundant

• पुण्यम्: meritorious, purifying

• नन्दिना: by Nandin (Śiva’s chief gaṇa)

• परिभाषितम्: explained, prescribed

• मार्गशीर्षक-मासे: in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa

• अथ: then/thereafter

• वृषम्: bull

• पूर्ण-अङ्गम्: having all limbs complete, unblemished

• उत्तमम्: excellent, best

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Nandin’s injunctions within the discourse)

Characters & Entities

• Nandin
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It links Liṅga-pūjā with a specific Shaiva vrata taught by Nandin and prescribes vṛṣa-dāna (gift of a flawless bull) in Mārgaśīrṣa as a high-merit act supporting Śiva’s worship.

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

Śiva is implied as Pati—the Lord who receives worship through disciplined vrata and purifying gifts; such acts are presented as means for the paśu (individual soul) to become fit for Śiva’s grace and release from pāśa (bondage).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

A Shaiva vrata (regulated observance) combined with dāna—specifically offering a fully healthy bull in Mārgaśīrṣa—functioning as a purificatory discipline supportive of Pāśupata-oriented devotion.