Shloka 108

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

श्रीश्चैव हृदये शम्भुस्तथा नाभौ प्रजापतिः । नागश्च नागकन्याश्च उभयोरृषिकन्यकाः

Transliteration

śrīścaiva hṛdaye śambhustathā nābhau prajāpatiḥ | nāgaśca nāgakanyāśca ubhayorṛṣikanyakāḥ

Translation

Śrī (the auspicious power of prosperity) is to be contemplated in the heart; Śambhu (Lord Śiva) likewise in the heart; and Prajāpati (the Lord of progeny/creation) in the navel. The Nāgas and the Nāga-maidens are to be envisioned on both sides, together with the daughters of the Ṛṣis.

Word by Word

• श्रीः: Śrī (Lakṣmī/fortune)
• श्रीः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (restrictive particle)

• हृदये: in the heart
• हृदये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• शम्भुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• नाभौ: in the navel
• नाभौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• प्रजापतिः: Prajāpati (lord of creatures)
• प्रजापतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः प्रजानां पतिः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• नागः: Nāga (serpent)
• नागः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• नागकन्याः: Nāga-maidens
• नागकन्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग + कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः नागस्य कन्याः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• उभयोः: of both
• उभयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; ‘of both’

• ऋषिकन्यकाः: maidens of sages
• ऋषिकन्यकाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि + कन्यका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः ऋषेः कन्यकाः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Lalitā

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shambhu
• Sri
• Prajapati
• Nagas
• Rishis

FAQs

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

It teaches nyāsa—placing sacred presences within the body—so the devotee becomes a fit vessel for Śiva-pūjā, aligning inner centers (heart and navel) with auspicious power (Śrī), Śiva (Śambhu), and creative order (Prajāpati).

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

Nyāsa prepares the worshipper to approach the Liṅga as Saguna Śiva (Śambhu) by internalizing His presence; the external offering to the Liṅga is mirrored by an inner consecration of the body as Śiva’s temple.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Perform deha-nyāsa before Liṅga-pūjā: meditate on Śrī and Śambhu in the heart, Prajāpati in the navel, and visualize protective/attendant beings (Nāgas, Nāga-maidens, Ṛṣi-daughters) on both sides while repeating the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya").