Shloka 27

Kṣaura-Snāna-Vidhi — Rite of Tonsure/Shaving and Purificatory Bath (Śaiva Procedure)

Devanagari script

त्रिपुंड्रं च विधायाथ यथोक्तविधिना शुभम् । यथोक्तांगेषु सर्वेषु सावधान तया मुने

Transliteration

tripuṃḍraṃ ca vidhāyātha yathoktavidhinā śubham | yathoktāṃgeṣu sarveṣu sāvadhāna tayā mune

Translation

Then, O sage, having applied the auspicious Tripuṇḍra in the prescribed manner, one should place it carefully upon all the limbs exactly as enjoined.

Word by Word

• tri-puṇḍram: the tripuṇḍra (three ash lines)
• tri-puṇḍram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (त्रि प्रातिपदिक) + puṇḍra (पुण्ड्र प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (three marks)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• vidhāya: having applied
• vidhāya: Kriyā (क्रियापूर्वक/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-dhā (वि+धा धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having arranged/applied’

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/आरम्भसूचक निपात (then/now)

• yathā-ukta-vidhinā: by the prescribed method
• yathā-ukta-vidhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yathā (यथा अव्यय) + ukta (उक्त कृदन्त) + vidhi (विधि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (yathā uktaḥ vidhiḥ tena = by the prescribed method)

• śubham: auspicious
• śubham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (शुभ प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् of tripuṇḍram

• yathā-ukta-aṅgeṣu: on the prescribed parts (of the body)
• yathā-ukta-aṅgeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yathā (यथा अव्यय) + ukta (उक्त कृदन्त) + aṅga (अङ्ग प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (yathā ukteṣu aṅgeṣu = on the prescribed limbs/places)

• sarveṣu: on all
• sarveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (सर्व प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), बहुवचन; विशेषणम् of aṅgeṣu

• sāvadhānaḥ: attentive
• sāvadhānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāvadhāna (सावधान प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् (predicate adjective)

• tayā: by that (method)
• tayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (तद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; ‘by that (method)’

• mune: O sage
• mune: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (मुनि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Tripuṇḍra (sacred ash markings) is not mere ornamentation but a disciplined Shaiva observance performed with attentiveness, purifying the worshipper and aligning the body-mind for devotion to Pati (Lord Shiva).

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

By sanctifying the body through prescribed Tripuṇḍra, the devotee becomes fit for Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Liṅga with purity, order, and reverence, as the body itself is treated as a temple for Shiva’s presence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply Tripuṇḍra with bhasma according to injunctions, marking the prescribed limbs carefully and mindfully—turning the act into a focused preparatory practice for japa, dhyāna, and Liṅga-pūjā.