Shloka 79
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
न तदूनं न तद्ध्यानं न तद्दानं जपो न सः । त्रिपुंड्रेण विनायेन विप्रेण यदनुष्ठितम्
na tadūnaṃ na taddhyānaṃ na taddānaṃ japo na saḥ | tripuṃḍreṇa vināyena vipreṇa yadanuṣṭhitam
Ce n’est ni vœu véritable ni méditation véritable; ce n’est ni don authentique ni japa : tout ce qu’accomplit un brāhmane sans le Tripuṇḍra, les trois lignes de cendre de Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
The verse asserts that Shaiva identity and consecration through Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) is not merely external—without it, spiritual acts lack the intended Śiva-sambandha (connection to Śiva) and thus lose their full sanctifying power.
Tripuṇḍra is a primary Shaiva emblem used when approaching Saguna Śiva worship, especially Liṅga-pūjā; it marks the body as dedicated to Śiva and aligns the worshipper with Śiva’s rite and discipline.
Adopt Tripuṇḍra with sacred ash (bhasma) before japa, dāna, and dhyāna—performing worship as a Śiva-rite, typically alongside Śiva-mantra practice such as the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya").