Shloka 15

Mahādāna-prakaraṇa (The Doctrine of Great Gifts): Suvarṇa–Go–Bhūmi and Tulā-dāna

Devanagari script

तिलप्रस्थमयीं कृत्वा धेनुं सर्वगुणान्विताम् । धेनुवत्सं सुवर्णं च सुदिव्यं सर्वलक्षणम्

Transliteration

tilaprasthamayīṃ kṛtvā dhenuṃ sarvaguṇānvitām | dhenuvatsaṃ suvarṇaṃ ca sudivyaṃ sarvalakṣaṇam

Translation

以一“钵罗萨他”（prastha）之量的芝麻塑成供养之母牛，使其具足一切吉祥德相；并当再制一头金色牛犊——光辉灿然、神圣清净，诸相圆满。

Word by Word

• तिल-प्रस्थ-मयीम्: made of a prastha of sesame
• तिल-प्रस्थ-मयीम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रस्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (तिलप्रस्थेन मयी = made of a prastha-measure of sesame)

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/absolutive)

• धेनुम्: a cow
• धेनुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• सर्व-गुण-अन्विताम्: endowed with all qualities
• सर्व-गुण-अन्विताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त; √इ/√अन्वि धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सर्वैः गुणैः अन्विता = endowed with all qualities)

• धेनु-वत्सम्: the cow’s calf
• धेनु-वत्सम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धेनु (प्रातिपदिक) + वत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धेनोः वत्सः = calf of the cow)

• सुवर्णम्: gold
• सुवर्णम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• सु-दिव्यम्: very splendid/divine
• सु-दिव्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘सु’ तीव्रार्थक (intensifier)

• सर्व-लक्षणम्: having all auspicious marks
• सर्व-लक्षणम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सर्वाणि लक्षणानि यस्य/यत्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Umāpati

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Ritualized dāna (tiladhenu-dāna pattern) functions as prāyaścitta-like purification, loosening pāśa (karmic accretions) and orienting the giver toward Śiva’s grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: naivedya

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse highlights sattvic dāna offered with completeness and purity. In Shaiva understanding, such disciplined giving refines the devotee’s inner instrument (antaḥkaraṇa), loosening bonds (pāśa) and orienting the soul (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati) through merit, humility, and devotion.

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

The verse supports Saguna Shiva worship through prescribed acts of devotion—offerings and charity performed as part of Shiva-oriented vrata and pūjā. The external act becomes meaningful when dedicated to Shiva-Linga worship as an expression of reverence, gratitude, and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests a ritual of dāna: preparing a symbolic cow made with sesame-measure and a golden calf, then offering it with devotional intent. As a meditative takeaway, perform the act while repeating the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivating non-possessiveness.