Shloka 99
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
कूर्परे मणिबंधे च हृदये पार्श्वयोर्द्वयोः । नाभौ मुष्कद्वये चैवमूर्वोर्गुल्फे च जानुनि
kūrpare maṇibaṃdhe ca hṛdaye pārśvayordvayoḥ | nābhau muṣkadvaye caivamūrvorgulphe ca jānuni
On the elbow, the wrist, the heart, and on both sides of the torso; on the navel, on the two testes; likewise on the thighs, the ankles, and the knees—upon these places the devotee should set the sacred mark, applying the Vibhūti.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches bodily sanctification in Shaiva sadhana: by placing sacred ash/marks on key limbs and vital points, the devotee offers the entire embodied self to Pati (Shiva), cultivating purity, restraint, and remembrance that supports liberation.
In Saguna Shiva worship, external observances like bhasma and prescribed markings prepare the worshipper as a fit vessel before approaching the Shiva-linga, aligning body and mind with reverence, discipline, and devotion.
Apply bhasma (often with mantra such as the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to the stated body points as part of daily Shaiva observance, maintaining mindful awareness of Shiva while performing the act.