Shloka 85
गजाननपूजा तथा औपासन-होमविधिः
Worship of Gajānana and the Procedure of Aupāsana-Homa
समुद्धृत्य विधानेन त्रिपुण्ड्रं धारयेत्ततः । त्रियायुषैस्त्र्यम्बकैश्च मूर्ध्न आरभ्य च क्रमात्
samuddhṛtya vidhānena tripuṇḍraṃ dhārayettataḥ | triyāyuṣaistryambakaiśca mūrdhna ārabhya ca kramāt
Having duly gathered the sacred ash according to the prescribed rule, one should then apply the Tripuṇḍra. Beginning from the head and proceeding in order, one should do so while invoking the life-bestowing “threefold” mantras and the Tryambaka invocations.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s prescribed observances to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Tryambaka
Jyotirlinga: Tryambakeshvara
Sthala Purana: Tryambaka epithet connects to the Nāśik/Trimbak kṣetra where Śiva is worshipped as Tryambakeśvara; the site is famed for the manifestation tied to Gautama Ṛṣi and the descent/appearance of Godāvarī as a purifier of sin.
Significance: Tripuṇḍra and Tryambaka-invocation emphasize protection and purification; in the Tryambakeśvara kṣetra, worship is sought for removal of doṣas and for śuddhi leading toward mokṣa.
Mantra: Tryambaka-invocation implied (Tryambaka); commonly associated with “oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe …” though the full mantra is not quoted in the verse.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: Pradoṣa is a customary Śaiva time for bhasma/tripuṇḍra and Tryambaka remembrance (contextual alignment; not explicit in verse).
FAQs
It teaches Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa as a Shaiva mark of surrender to Pati (Shiva), purifying the body-mind and orienting the devotee toward liberation through disciplined observance.
Tripuṇḍra made from sacred ash is a bodily extension of Linga-worship: it keeps Saguna Shiva (Tryambaka) remembrance constant, making the devotee’s body a fit support for puja, japa, and dhyana.
Collect bhasma properly, then apply the three ash-lines in sequence starting from the head, while reciting Tryambaka-related invocations/mantras, integrating mantra-smaraṇa with the external rite.