Shloka 83

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

एवं त्रिपुंड्रमाहात्म्यं समासात्कथितं मया । रहस्यं सर्वजंतूनां गोपनीयमिदं त्वया

Transliteration

evaṃ tripuṃḍramāhātmyaṃ samāsātkathitaṃ mayā | rahasyaṃ sarvajaṃtūnāṃ gopanīyamidaṃ tvayā

Translation

Thus, I have briefly explained to you the greatness of the Tripuṇḍra. This is a secret teaching for all living beings; therefore, you should guard it and keep it confidential.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• त्रिपुण्ड्रमाहात्म्यम्: the greatness of the tripuṇḍra
• त्रिपुण्ड्रमाहात्म्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिपुण्ड्र + माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• समासात्: briefly, in summary
• समासात्: Apādāna/Adverbial (अपादान/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी-विभक्ति-रूपेण अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण; अपादानार्थे (ablatival adverb: 'in brief')

• कथितम्: has been told
• कथितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु) + क्त (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय

• मया: by me
• मया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृकरण (agent in passive)

• रहस्यम्: a secret
• रहस्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रहस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्वजन्तूनाम्: of all beings
• सर्वजन्तूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + जन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• गोपनीयम्: to be kept secret
• गोपनीयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप् (धातु) + अनीयर् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (अनीयर्; gerundive); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृकरण (agent/one responsible)

Speaker

Lord Shiva

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Dakshinamurti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Tripundra
• Bhasma

FAQs

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

The verse frames Tripuṇḍra (sacred ash marks) as an esoteric Shaiva discipline: not mere outer symbolism, but a guarded spiritual practice that supports purification, devotion, and orientation toward Pati (Shiva) in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

Tripuṇḍra is a visible sign of belonging to Shiva’s worship and a preparatory rite for Linga-pūjā—aligning the devotee’s body and intention for Saguna Shiva devotion while remembering Shiva as the supreme Pati.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies the disciplined application of Bhasma as Tripuṇḍra with reverence (often alongside mantra such as the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), treating the practice as sacred and not casual or showy.