Shloka 12

Devanagari script

सर्वकामसमृद्धेन यथा गच्छंति गोप्रदाः । अत्र दत्तान्नपानानि तान्याप्नोति नरः पथि

Transliteration

sarvakāmasamṛddhena yathā gacchaṃti gopradāḥ | atra dattānnapānāni tānyāpnoti naraḥ pathi

Translation

正如布施牛者在旅程中具足一切所愿的圆满；同样地，人于道路之上（死后之途）将得其在此世所施与的食与饮，分毫不差。

Word by Word

सर्वकामसमृद्धेनby (means of) being endowed with all desires (fulfilled)

यथाjust as

गच्छन्तिgo

गोप्रदाःgivers of cows

अत्रhere

दत्तgiven

अन्नपानानिfood and drink

तानिthose (things)

आप्नोतिobtains

नरःa man

पथिon the road

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; the verse gives a karmaphala mapping: gifts made ‘here’ become provisions ‘there’ on the preta-path (post-death journey).

Significance: Encourages annadāna as a universal pilgrimage-dharma: feeding travelers/guests mirrors the soul’s own need for support on the onward path.

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: Post-death passage (preta-mārga) implied

Characters & Entities

Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches the karmic continuity of dāna: offerings made with dharma become real support for the jīva, especially during the vulnerable “path” after death, aligning one’s life with Shaiva virtue and auspicious destiny.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

In Shaiva practice, feeding others (anna-dāna) is an extension of Linga-worship—serving Shiva present in beings; such compassionate giving complements pūjā and strengthens merit that supports spiritual progress.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform anna-dāna and water offerings (pāna-dāna), especially on Shiva days (e.g., Mahāśivarātri), while mentally dedicating the act to Lord Shiva and remembering the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).