भूतत्रिपुरधर्मवर्णनम् (Description of the Dharma/Conduct of the Bhūta-Tripura) — Chapter 3
गत्वा तत्प्रविशंतश्च त्रिपुराधिपतेजसि । भस्मसादभवन्सद्यश्शलभा इव पावके
gatvā tatpraviśaṃtaśca tripurādhipatejasi | bhasmasādabhavansadyaśśalabhā iva pāvake
Having gone and entered the blazing splendor of the Lord who ruled Tripura, they were instantly reduced to ashes—like moths that rush into a fire.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
Cosmic Event: Localized pralaya-like incineration by overwhelming tejas (fire-radiance)
It portrays the irresistible power of divine tejas: when limited beings rush into destructive desire and confront Śiva’s purifying radiance, their pride and bondage are burned instantly—symbolized by becoming bhasma.
Śiva’s saguna manifestation as blazing tejas is the same purifying presence worshipped in the Liṅga; approaching Him with surrender leads to purification, while approaching with hostility leads to self-destruction, like moths in fire.
Contemplate bhasma as a reminder of impermanence and ego-dissolution, and practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with inner surrender to Śiva’s purifying fire.