Shloka 2

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

एकं ज्ञेयं महाभस्म द्वितीयं स्वल्पसंज्ञकम् । महाभस्म इति प्रोक्तं भस्म नानाविधं परम्

Transliteration

ekaṃ jñeyaṃ mahābhasma dvitīyaṃ svalpasaṃjñakam | mahābhasma iti proktaṃ bhasma nānāvidhaṃ param

Translation

Know that sacred ash (bhasma) is of two kinds: one is to be understood as the Great Bhasma (mahābhasma), and the second is known as the lesser kind. That ash which is declared “mahābhasma” is the supreme bhasma, spoken of as manifold in its forms and applications.

Word by Word

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: विशेष्य-निर्देश (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; संख्यावाचक विशेषण

• ज्ञेयम्: is to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययार्थे (gerundive: to be known), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महाभस्म: great ash (mahābhasma)
• महाभस्म: विधेय (Predicate/Name)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + भस्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महच्च तत् भस्म)

• द्वितीयम्: the second
• द्वितीयम्: विशेष्य-निर्देश (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रमवाचक विशेषण

• स्वल्पसंज्ञकम्: having the name ‘small’
• स्वल्पसंज्ञकम्: विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वल्प + संज्ञक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वल्पा संज्ञा यस्य)

• महाभस्म: mahābhasma
• महाभस्म: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + भस्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-चिह्न (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण-समाप्ति सूचक अव्यय

• प्रोक्तम्: is said/called
• प्रोक्तम्: क्रिया-विशेषण/विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भस्म: ash
• भस्म: कर्ता/विधेय (Subject/Predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन्/भस्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• नानाविधम्: of many kinds
• नानाविधम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्यय-पूर्वपद तत्पुरुष (नानाप्रकारम्)

• परम्: supreme/excellent
• परम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: Kāśī’s Viśvanātha context emphasizes Śiva’s bestowal of auspiciousness; the ‘mahābhasma’ category aligns with temple/initiatory standards of purity and Śaiva identity.

Significance: Distinguishing mahābhasma from lesser ash supports correct observance for pilgrims and householders, strengthening Śiva-sambandha (bond with Śiva) through daily marks.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

This verse establishes bhasma as a sacred Shaiva mark with graded sanctity—pointing to mahābhasma as the highest form, used to purify the devotee and orient the mind toward Pati (Shiva) beyond worldly impurity (pāśa).

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

By distinguishing mahābhasma as ‘supreme’, the text frames bhasma as an essential aid in Saguna Shiva worship—especially in Linga-pūjā—where the devotee outwardly bears Tripuṇḍra and inwardly cultivates devotion and surrender to Shiva.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies adopting proper Shaiva bhasma practice—seeking the superior ‘mahābhasma’ for worship and applying it reverentially (as Tripuṇḍra) as a daily reminder of purity, impermanence, and devotion to Lord Shiva.