Shloka 17
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
उद्धूलनं त्रिपुंड्रं च श्रद्धया नाचरन्ति ये । तेषामाचरितं सर्वं विपरीतफलाय हि
uddhūlanaṃ tripuṃḍraṃ ca śraddhayā nācaranti ye | teṣāmācaritaṃ sarvaṃ viparītaphalāya hi
Those who do not, with faith, practice the sacred smearing of holy ash (bhasma-uddhūlana) and the wearing of the Tripuṇḍra—everything they perform bears an inverted result, yielding outcomes contrary to the intended spiritual fruit.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva observances like bhasma-uddhūlana and Tripuṇḍra, when neglected without śraddhā, make one’s religious efforts lose their proper orientation—so actions meant for purification and grace do not yield the intended spiritual fruit.
In Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-puja—bhasma and Tripuṇḍra are traditional Shaiva identifiers and purificatory aids; the verse emphasizes that honoring these with faith supports correct devotional alignment toward Shiva’s grace.
Practice applying sacred ash (vibhūti/bhasma) and wearing the Tripuṇḍra with śraddhā as part of daily Shiva worship, ideally alongside remembrance of Shiva (such as japa of the Panchakshara, Om Namaḥ Śivāya).