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
Ob jemand ohne Mitgefühl ist, von niedriger Lebensführung, ja selbst von allen Sünden beladen; ob er in schweres Unrecht versunken, unwissend oder gar gefallen ist — auch er wird durch Bhakti fähig, sich Śiva zu nahen.
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.