Shloka 85

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

भ्रुवोर्मध्यं समारभ्य यावदंतो भवेद्भ्रुवोः । तावत्प्रमाणं संधार्यं ललाटे च त्रिपुंड्रकम्

Transliteration

bhruvormadhyaṃ samārabhya yāvadaṃto bhavedbhruvoḥ | tāvatpramāṇaṃ saṃdhāryaṃ lalāṭe ca tripuṃḍrakam

Translation

Beginning from the space between the eyebrows and extending up to the end of the eyebrows, one should take that measure as the standard and, on the forehead, apply the Tripuṇḍra (the three sacred ash-lines) accordingly.

Word by Word

• भ्रुवोः: of the two eyebrows
• भ्रुवोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; सम्बन्ध (of the two eyebrows)

• मध्यम्: the middle
• मध्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरण-लक्ष्य (object of starting point)

• समारभ्य: having begun from, starting from
• समारभ्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + आ + रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वक्रिया

• यावत्: up to
• यावत्: Avadhi (अवधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाण/अवधि-निर्देशक (up to/as far as)

• अन्तः: the end
• अन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सीमा/अवधि (end-point)

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• भ्रुवोः: of the two eyebrows
• भ्रुवोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• तावत्: that much
• तावत्: Parimāṇa (परिमाण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तावन्मात्र-परिमाणवाचक (so much/that much)

• प्रमाणम्: the measure, extent
• प्रमाणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (measure is...)

• संधार्यम्: to be maintained/kept
• संधार्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + धृ (धातु) + य (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive; 'to be held/maintained'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• ललाटे: on the forehead
• ललाटे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ललाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरण

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

• त्रिपुण्ड्रकम्: the tripuṇḍra mark
• त्रिपुण्ड्रकम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + पुण्ड्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahadeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Gives precise measurement for the forehead tripuṇḍra, emphasizing disciplined correctness (niyama) as part of Śaiva daily conduct that supports steadiness of mind and devotion.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It defines a precise, reverent way to wear the Tripuṇḍra, treating sacred ash as a Shaiva mark of belonging to Pati (Śiva) and of inner purification—an outward sign supporting inward devotion and discipline.

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

Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa is a preparatory observance for Saguna Śiva worship (including Liṅga-pūjā), aligning the devotee’s body and intent with Shaiva ritual purity and remembrance of Śiva before offerings and mantra-japa.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Apply the Tripuṇḍra on the forehead with vibhūti (bhasma), keeping the width/extent measured from the brow-center to the brow-end; this can be paired with Śiva-smaraṇa and mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya).