Shloka 73
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोश्च रुद्रा णां सारं चैव त्रिपुंड्रकम् । तथा तिलकरूपेण ललाटान्ते महेश्वरः
brahmaviṣṇvośca rudrā ṇāṃ sāraṃ caiva tripuṃḍrakam | tathā tilakarūpeṇa lalāṭānte maheśvaraḥ
The Tripuṇḍra of sacred ash is indeed the very essence of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and the Rudras. Likewise, as the tilaka-mark at the end of the forehead, Mahādeva Himself abides there.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) is not a mere external sign but a condensed spiritual truth: it signifies Śiva as the inner reality and the supremacy of Pati (Lord) who pervades the powers represented by Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and the Rudras.
Tripuṇḍra and the forehead tilaka are bodily consecrations that align the devotee with Saguna Śiva worship—approaching the Liṅga with purity, devotion, and Śaiva identity—while remembering Śiva’s immanence as Maheśvara dwelling at the forehead-mark.
Apply Tripuṇḍra with sacred ash and place a tilaka on the forehead while contemplating Maheśvara’s presence there; this is commonly done alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) before Liṅga-pūjā.