Shloka 45

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

धिग्भस्मरहितं भालं धिग्ग्राममशिवालयम् । धिगनीशार्चनं जन्म धिग्विद्यामशिवाश्रयाम्

Transliteration

dhigbhasmarahitaṃ bhālaṃ dhiggrāmamaśivālayam | dhiganīśārcanaṃ janma dhigvidyāmaśivāśrayām

Translation

Shame upon a forehead devoid of sacred ash; shame upon a village that has no shrine of Śiva. Shame upon a life in which the Lord is not worshipped; and shame upon learning that does not take refuge in Śiva.

Word by Word

• dhik: fie upon / shame on
• dhik: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dhik (धिक्)
• Form: Exclamation of reproach (governs Accusative)

• bhasmarahitam: devoid of ash
• bhasmarahitam: null
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhasma-rahita (भस्मरहित)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• bhālam: forehead
• bhālam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāla (भाल)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• grāmam: village
• grāmam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāma (ग्राम)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• aśivālayam: without a temple of Shiva
• aśivālayam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a-śiva-ālaya (अशिवालय)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• anīśārcanam: without worship of the Lord
• anīśārcanam: null
• Type: Adjective
• Root: an-īśa-arcana (अनीशार्चन)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• janma: birth/life
• janma: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janman (जन्मन्)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vidyām: knowledge
• vidyām: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyā (विद्या)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• aśivāśrayām: not resting on Shiva
• aśivāśrayām: null
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-śiva-āśraya (अशिवाश्रया)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Isha

FAQs

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

It declares that outer marks like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and inner devotion must converge: a life, community, and even learning become spiritually fruitful only when oriented to Īśa (Śiva) as the supreme refuge (Pati) and liberator.

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

By praising the presence of Śiva’s abode (temple) and condemning non-worship, the verse supports Saguna upāsanā—regular reverence to Śiva in form, especially through temple worship and Liṅga-arcana—as the ordained path for purification and grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply sacred ash on the forehead as Tripuṇḍra with remembrance of Śiva, and maintain daily Īśa-arcana (especially Liṅga worship) so that one’s knowledge and conduct remain anchored in Śiva.