Shloka 25
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
त्रिपुंड्रसहितो जीवः पूज्यः सर्वैः सुरासुरैः । पापान्वितोपि शुद्धात्मा किं पुनः श्रद्धया युतः
tripuṃḍrasahito jīvaḥ pūjyaḥ sarvaiḥ surāsuraiḥ | pāpānvitopi śuddhātmā kiṃ punaḥ śraddhayā yutaḥ
A living being who bears the Tripuṇḍra—the three sacred ash marks—is worthy of reverence by all, by devas and asuras alike. Even if stained by sins, he is held to be pure in essence; how much more when he bears it with faith and devotion.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s teachings on Shaiva marks and worship to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Defines the tripuṇḍra-bearer as socially and cosmically venerable (even to devas/asuras), indicating that Śiva’s mark confers a trans-world status rooted in grace rather than birth or prior merit.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Tripuṇḍra-bhasma is a powerful Shaiva sign that aligns the jīva with Shiva’s grace; even a sinner is considered inwardly purified, and faith (śraddhā) multiplies the sanctifying effect.
Tripuṇḍra is a bodily seal of devotion that supports Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-pūjā—by marking the devotee as Shiva-oriented and fit for reverent participation in ritual and remembrance.
Apply bhasma as Tripuṇḍra with śraddhā (ideally after Shiva worship), while maintaining Shaiva remembrance—commonly alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”