Shloka 34
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
वैश्यस्त्रियं बकेनैव शूद्र ः पंचाक्षरेण तु । अन्यासां विधवास्त्रीणां विधिः प्रोक्तश्च शूद्र वत्
vaiśyastriyaṃ bakenaiva śūdra ḥ paṃcākṣareṇa tu | anyāsāṃ vidhavāstrīṇāṃ vidhiḥ proktaśca śūdra vat
A Vaiśya woman should perform japa with the mantra called “Baka,” while a Śūdra should perform japa with the Pañcākṣarī. For other widowed women as well, the prescribed observance is declared to be the same as for a Śūdra.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadashiva
FAQs
It emphasizes that devotion to Śiva through mantra-japa is given practical forms suited to different social situations, while upholding the core Shaiva Siddhanta principle that sincere bhakti and disciplined practice lead the soul (paśu) toward Śiva (Pati).
The Pañcākṣarī is a central Saguna-Śiva upāsanā mantra used alongside Liṅga worship; the verse situates mantra-japa as an authorized approach to approaching Śiva’s grace through accessible, rule-based devotion.
It directly recommends mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (Namaḥ Śivāya)—as the primary practice for certain practitioners, implying steady repetition with purity of intent as a core Shaiva discipline.