Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 106

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

अथवा मूर्द्ध्नि केशे च कर्मयोर्वदने तथा । बाहुद्वये च हृदये नाभ्यामूरुयुगे तथा

Transliteration

athavā mūrddhni keśe ca karmayorvadane tathā | bāhudvaye ca hṛdaye nābhyāmūruyuge tathā

Translation

Ou bien, on peut l’appliquer sur le sommet de la tête et dans les cheveux, sur les deux mains et sur le visage ; de même sur les deux bras, sur le cœur, sur le nombril et sur la paire de cuisses—sanctifiant ainsi le corps pour l’adoration de Śiva.

Word by Word

• अथवा: or else
• अथवा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• मूर्द्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्द्ध्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• केशे: in the hair
• केशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कर्मयोः: of the two hands/arms (lit. of the two actions)
• कर्मयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन

• वदने: in the mouth/face
• वदने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• बाहुद्वये: in the pair of arms
• बाहुद्वये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (द्वौ बाहू)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• हृदये: in the heart
• हृदये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• नाभ्याम्: at the navel
• नाभ्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; वैकल्पिकरूपेण ‘नाभौ’ इत्यर्थे

• ऊरुयुगे: in the pair of thighs
• ऊरुयुगे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऊरु + युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः ऊर्वोः युगम् इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches bodily sanctification as a support for inner devotion—making the body a fit vessel for Śiva-bhakti and steady remembrance of Pati (Śiva) in Shaiva Siddhanta.

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

By prescribing sacred placement on key bodily points, it prepares the devotee for formal Linga-puja and Saguna Śiva worship, aligning outer ritual purity with inner concentration.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It implies a preparatory rite such as applying vibhūti (tripuṇḍra/bhasma) or related consecratory markings while mentally invoking Śiva—often alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra.