Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 17
Kṣetra–Kāla–Phala-kramaḥ
Hierarchy of Sacred Place, Time, and Ritual Fruit
अर्थवानिह यो लोके परस्यार्थं प्रयच्छति । स्वयं शुद्धो हि पूतात्मा नरान्संत्रातुमर्हति
arthavāniha yo loke parasyārthaṃ prayacchati | svayaṃ śuddho hi pūtātmā narānsaṃtrātumarhati
在此世间，凡具资财而为他人之利施与财富者，便能自净其身；其心灵清净而得净化，堪能护佑并扶持众人。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: General dharma-teaching within the Viśveśvara-saṃhitā: charity (dāna) purifies the giver and becomes a means of loka-saṅgraha (uplift of beings), aligning the devotee with Śiva’s grace.
Significance: Frames dāna as a purifier that makes one ‘fit to protect/uplift’ (saṃtrātum), i.e., a moral qualification for service and leadership in a Śaiva community.
FAQs
It teaches that selfless charity (dāna) performed by one who has the capacity purifies the giver’s inner being (śuddhi), making them a force for the welfare and protection of society—an expression of Shaiva dharma aligned with compassion and right conduct.
Linga worship is not only ritual but also ethical transformation; offering to others for their welfare is treated as an extension of offering to Shiva, since Saguna Shiva is honored through actions that reduce suffering and cultivate purity.
A practical takeaway is to pair Shiva worship (e.g., japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and simple Linga abhiṣeka) with dāna—feeding, supporting, or materially helping devotees and the needy—so that external pūjā is matched by inner purification.