Shloka 28
ब्रह्मणा विष्णुना वापि रुद्रे ण मुनिभिः सुरैः । भस्मधारणमाहात्म्यं न शक्यं परिभाषितुम्
brahmaṇā viṣṇunā vāpi rudre ṇa munibhiḥ suraiḥ | bhasmadhāraṇamāhātmyaṃ na śakyaṃ paribhāṣitum
Even by Brahmā, by Viṣṇu, by Rudra, and even by the sages and the gods, the greatness of wearing the sacred ash (bhasma)—the Tripuṇḍra of Śiva—cannot be fully described.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the teaching of the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a site-specific legend; the verse functions as a māhātmya statement: bhasma-dhāraṇa is declared ineffable even to the highest deities, elevating it as a supra-ordinary Śaiva sign and means.
Significance: Encourages adoption of tripuṇḍra as a constant reminder of impermanence and Śiva’s lordship; promotes humility before the ‘ineffable’ merit of Śaiva observance.
FAQs
The verse declares that the merit and inner power of bhasma-dhāraṇa (Tripuṇḍra) is immeasurable—even the highest deities cannot exhaust its praise—implying it is a profound Shaiva sign of purification, detachment, and devotion to Pati (Śiva).
Tripuṇḍra-bhasma is a visible mark of allegiance to Śiva and a preparatory purity for Linga worship; it supports Saguna upāsanā by aligning the devotee’s body-mind as a consecrated vessel for Śiva-bhakti and Śiva’s grace.
Adorn sacred ash as Tripuṇḍra with reverence before Śiva worship, holding the remembrance of impermanence and offering oneself to Śiva—often paired in practice with Rudrākṣa and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”