Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 61
नारदस्य विष्णूपदेशवर्णनम् — Nārada and Viṣṇu: Instruction after Delusion
यो नित्यं भस्मपूतांगो शिवपूजोन्मुखो भवेत् । स तरत्येव संसारमपारमतिदारुणम्
yo nityaṃ bhasmapūtāṃgo śivapūjonmukho bhavet | sa taratyeva saṃsāramapāramatidāruṇam
Celui dont le corps est sans cesse purifié par la bhasma, la cendre sacrée, et dont l’élan demeure tourné vers le culte du Seigneur Śiva—celui-là, en vérité, franchit le saṃsāra, sans borne et terriblement redoutable.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa with Śiva-pūjā-bhāva is presented as a direct upāya for saṃsāra-taraṇa (crossing bondage), emphasizing inner purity and Śiva-anugraha over mere external merit.
FAQs
The verse teaches that steady Shaiva discipline—purifying oneself with bhasma and keeping the mind oriented to Śiva-pūjā—becomes a liberating force, enabling the soul to transcend the seemingly endless and painful saṃsāra by Śiva’s grace.
Being “śivapūjonmukha” implies regular, embodied worship of Saguna Śiva—commonly through Śiva-liṅga pūjā with reverence—so that outward ritual purity (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra) supports inward remembrance and surrender to Śiva as Pati, the bestower of liberation.
Daily application of sacred ash (vibhūti/bhasma), traditionally as Tripuṇḍra, along with consistent Śiva-pūjā and inward orientation to Śiva (often supported by japa such as “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).