Shloka 21
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
सितेन भस्मना कुर्याल्लाटे तु त्रिपुण्ड्रकम् । यो सावनादिभूतान्हि लोकानाप्तो मृतो भवेत्
sitena bhasmanā kuryāllāṭe tu tripuṇḍrakam | yo sāvanādibhūtānhi lokānāpto mṛto bhavet
Avec la bhasma blanche et pure, qu’on trace le Tripuṇḍra sur le front. Celui qui n’atteint pas les mondes commençant par Sāvana et les autres, sa vie est comme la mort.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s worship-rules to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya within the Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In the Viśveśvarasaṃhitā’s Kāśī-centered frame, Śiva as Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha is the ever-present Lord whose marks (bhasma, tripuṇḍra) signify belonging to Him; the verse treats the tripuṇḍra as a gateway-sign of access to auspicious Śaiva states (lokas) rather than a local miracle narrative.
Significance: Bearing Śiva’s bhasma-mark is presented as a sign of Śaiva affiliation and eligibility for auspicious post-mortem states; in Kāśī theology this aligns with proximity to Viśvanātha and the ideal of dying with Śiva’s remembrance/identity.
FAQs
The verse elevates Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa with pure bhasma as an outward seal of inner Śaiva orientation—turning the devotee toward Śiva’s grace and auspicious destiny; without such Śiva-marks and their intent, one remains spiritually “dead,” i.e., deprived of higher attainments.
Tripuṇḍra made of bhasma is a key Śaiva identifier used while approaching the Liṅga—signifying reverence for Saguna Śiva in worship and remembrance, and aligning the body-mind as a fit vessel for Liṅga-pūjā and Śiva-bhakti.
Apply white bhasma as Tripuṇḍra on the forehead (and traditionally other points) with devotion—ideally while remembering Śiva and reciting a Śaiva mantra such as the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya").