Shloka 81

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

एवं त्रिपुंड्रं यः कुर्य्यान्नित्यं नियतमानसः । शिवभक्तः सविज्ञेयो भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च विंदति

Transliteration

evaṃ tripuṃḍraṃ yaḥ kuryyānnityaṃ niyatamānasaḥ | śivabhaktaḥ savijñeyo bhuktiṃ muktiṃ ca viṃdati

Translation

Thus, whoever applies the Tripuṇḍra (the three sacred ash-lines) daily with a disciplined and steady mind is known as a true devotee of Śiva; he attains both bhukti (worldly well-being) and mukti (liberation).

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• त्रिपुण्ड्रम्: the tripuṇḍra (three ash-marks)
• त्रिपुण्ड्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + पुण्ड्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• कुर्यात्: should do/make/apply
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• नित्यम्: always, daily
• नित्यम्: Kālādhi karaṇa / Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (काल/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• नियतमानसः: with disciplined mind
• नियतमानसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियत + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying the doer)

• शिवभक्तः: a devotee of Śiva
• शिवभक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अन्वादेश (correlative pronoun)

• विज्ञेयः: to be known/recognized (as)
• विज्ञेयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु) + य (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (तव्य/अनीयर्-वर्ग; here -यः); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate adjective)

• भुक्तिम्: enjoyment, worldly prosperity
• भुक्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुक्तिम्: liberation
• मुक्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• विन्दति: obtains, finds
• विन्दति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present indicative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa as a daily Śaiva marker is said to yield both bhukti (well-being) and mukti (liberation), framing external observance as supportive of inner discipline and Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Tripundra
• Bhasma

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa is not mere outer symbolism; when done daily with a disciplined mind, it becomes a Shaiva vow (ācāra) that matures devotion and leads to both dharmic well-being (bhukti) and final release (mukti) by Śiva’s grace.

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

Tripuṇḍra (sacred ash) is a classic Shaiva mark associated with Linga-worship and Saguna Śiva devotion; it outwardly aligns the devotee with Śiva’s worship while inwardly reminding one of purity, renunciation, and steadfast bhakti—supporting regular pūjā and meditation on the Lord.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply Tripuṇḍra bhasma daily with a restrained, prayerful mind, treating it as a disciplined devotional observance; the emphasis is on nitya (daily) practice and niyata-manas (mental steadiness) rather than casual display.