Shloka 61
नारदस्य विष्णूपदेशवर्णनम् — Nārada and Viṣṇu: Instruction after Delusion
यो नित्यं भस्मपूतांगो शिवपूजोन्मुखो भवेत् । स तरत्येव संसारमपारमतिदारुणम्
yo nityaṃ bhasmapūtāṃgo śivapūjonmukho bhavet | sa taratyeva saṃsāramapāramatidāruṇam
He whose body is ever purified with sacred ash (bhasma) and whose heart remains intent on the worship of Lord Śiva—he indeed crosses beyond this boundless and exceedingly dreadful saṃsāra.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa with Śiva-pūjā-bhāva is presented as a direct upāya for saṃsāra-taraṇa (crossing bondage), emphasizing inner purity and Śiva-anugraha over mere external merit.
FAQs
The verse teaches that steady Shaiva discipline—purifying oneself with bhasma and keeping the mind oriented to Śiva-pūjā—becomes a liberating force, enabling the soul to transcend the seemingly endless and painful saṃsāra by Śiva’s grace.
Being “śivapūjonmukha” implies regular, embodied worship of Saguna Śiva—commonly through Śiva-liṅga pūjā with reverence—so that outward ritual purity (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra) supports inward remembrance and surrender to Śiva as Pati, the bestower of liberation.
Daily application of sacred ash (vibhūti/bhasma), traditionally as Tripuṇḍra, along with consistent Śiva-pūjā and inward orientation to Śiva (often supported by japa such as “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).