Shloka 98

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

उत्तमांगे ललाटे च कर्णयोर्नेत्रयोस्तथा । नासावक्त्रगलेष्वेवं हस्तद्वय अतः परम्

Transliteration

uttamāṃge lalāṭe ca karṇayornetrayostathā | nāsāvaktragaleṣvevaṃ hastadvaya ataḥ param

Translation

Daraufhin soll man die Vibhūti (heilige Asche) auf den Scheitel und auf die Stirn auftragen; ebenso auf die Ohren und auf die Augen; und in gleicher Weise auf Nase, Mund und Kehle—und danach auf beide Hände.

Word by Word

• uttamāṅge: on the top part (of the body)
• uttamāṅge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uttama + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (उत्तमम् अङ्गम्)

• lalāṭe: on the forehead
• lalāṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lalāṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• karṇayoḥ: in/on the two ears
• karṇayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), द्विवचन

• netrayoḥ: in/on the two eyes
• netrayoḥ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: netra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), द्विवचन

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• nāsā: in/on the nose
• nāsā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāsā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (पाठे समास-पूर्वपदत्वात् प्रातिपदिकरूपेण)

• vaktra: in/on the mouth/face
• vaktra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vaktra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (समास-पूर्वपदत्वात्)

• galeṣu: on the throats/necks
• galeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• evaṃ: thus
• evaṃ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evaṃ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• hasta-dvayam: (on) the two hands
• hasta-dvayam: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hasta + dvi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (द्वौ हस्तौ)

• ataḥ: thereafter/then
• ataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb/particle)

• param: next/further
• param: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोग (adverbial accusative: 'further/next')

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s prescribed ritual discipline to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that bhasma is not mere ornamentation but a Shaiva purifier: by sanctifying key sense-organs and vital points, the devotee dedicates perception, speech, and breath to Shiva (Pati), cultivating inner discipline alongside outer observance.

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

Before approaching Linga-worship, the body is ritually consecrated; applying bhasma marks the devotee as Shiva-oriented and fit for Saguna upasana, where the senses are redirected from worldly objects toward the Lord’s presence in the Linga.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply sacred ash (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra context) to the listed body-points with reverence, then proceed to mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara) and Linga-puja with restrained senses and purified intention.