Shloka 23
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
अदयो वाधमो वापि सर्वपापान्वितोपि वा । उषःपापान्वितो वापि मूर्खो वा पतितोपि वा
adayo vādhamo vāpi sarvapāpānvitopi vā | uṣaḥpāpānvito vāpi mūrkho vā patitopi vā
سواء كان المرء بلا رحمة، أو سيّئ السلوك، أو مثقَلًا بكل صنوف الخطايا؛ وسواء كان غارقًا في الإثم العظيم، أو جاهلًا، أو ساقطًا—فإنه هو أيضًا يصير أهلًا للاقتراب من شيفا بفضل البهاكتي (التعبّد).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Universalizes access: even the morally fallen become eligible for Śiva’s turning-grace when they orient toward Him; pilgrimage is interiorized as conversion of the paśu toward Pati.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva principle that Śiva’s anugraha (grace) is not limited by a person’s past faults; turning toward Śiva with devotion opens the way to purification and upliftment.
Liṅga-worship and saguna devotion are presented as universally accessible: even those considered sinful or fallen may approach Śiva through sincere reverence, because the Lord accepts the devotee who takes refuge in Him.
The practical takeaway is to begin Śiva-bhakti regardless of unworthiness—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Liṅga-pūjā as a means of inner purification.