Shloka 14

Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā

The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha

Devanagari script

त्रिपुण्ड्रविलसद्भालो रुद्राक्षाभरणः कृती । शिवनामजपासक्तो जटिलः शैववेषभृत्

Transliteration

tripuṇḍravilasadbhālo rudrākṣābharaṇaḥ kṛtī | śivanāmajapāsakto jaṭilaḥ śaivaveṣabhṛt

Translation

His forehead shines with the tripuṇḍra, the triple sacred ash-mark; he is adorned with rudrākṣa beads, disciplined and accomplished in conduct. Absorbed in the japa of Śiva’s Name, with matted locks, he wears the distinctive attire of a Śaiva devotee.

Word by Word

• tripuṇḍra-vilasad-bhālaḥ: whose forehead shines with tripuṇḍra marks
• tripuṇḍra-vilasad-bhālaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + puṇḍra (प्रातिपदिक) + vilasat (विलस् धातु, शतृ-कृदन्त) + bhāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास: ‘यस्य भालं त्रिपुण्ड्रेण विलसत्’ (whose forehead shines with tripuṇḍra)

• rudrākṣa-ābharaṇaḥ: wearing rudrākṣa ornaments
• rudrākṣa-ābharaṇaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rudrākṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + ābharaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘यस्य आभरणं रुद्राक्षम्’ (one whose ornament is rudrākṣa)

• kṛtī: capable/skillful
• kṛtī: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛtin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śiva-nāma-japa-āsaktaḥ: devoted to chanting Śiva’s name
• śiva-nāma-japa-āsaktaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + nāman (प्रातिपदिक) + japa (प्रातिपदिक) + āsakta (आ+सञ्ज्/सक्त, क्त-कृदन्त as adjective)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (श्रृङ्खला): ‘शिवनाम्नः जपे आसक्तः’ (attached to the repetition of Śiva’s name)

• jaṭilaḥ: matted-haired
• jaṭilaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jaṭila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• śaiva-veṣa-bhṛt: wearing Śaiva dress
• śaiva-veṣa-bhṛt: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaiva (प्रातिपदिक) + veṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhṛt (भृ धातु, कृत्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘भृत्’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘शैवं वेषं बिभर्ति’ (one who bears Śaiva attire)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; the verse catalogs Śaiva external insignia (tripuṇḍra, rudrākṣa, jaṭā) and nāma-japa as identity markers—Śiva Himself adopts them to sanctify the path and to veil/reveal Himself in the devotee-test.

Significance: Affirms the sanctity of Śaiva marks and nāma-japa: adopting them (with right bhāva) aligns the devotee with Śiva’s own mode and attracts grace.

Mantra Metadata

Type: panchakshara

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Rudraksha
• Tripundra

FAQs

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

It describes the outer and inner signs of a Śaiva: tripuṇḍra and rudrākṣa as sacred disciplines, and constant Śiva-nāma japa as the inward devotion that purifies the soul (paśu) and turns it toward Pati, Lord Śiva.

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

Tripuṇḍra (vibhūti), rudrākṣa, and Śiva-nāma japa are classic supports for Saguna Śiva worship, commonly performed alongside Liṅga-pūjā to steady devotion and remembrance of Śiva’s gracious, approachable form.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply the tripuṇḍra with sacred ash, wear rudrākṣa, maintain Śiva-nāma japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and cultivate a life of disciplined Śaiva conduct.