आग्नेयमुच्यते भस्म दग्धगोमयसंभवम् । तदापि द्र व्यमित्युक्तं त्रिपुंड्रस्य महामुने
āgneyamucyate bhasma dagdhagomayasaṃbhavam | tadāpi dra vyamityuktaṃ tripuṃḍrasya mahāmune
હે મહામુને, દગ્ધ ગોમયમાંથી ઉત્પન્ન ભસ્મને ‘આગ્નેય’ કહે છે; તે પણ ત્રિપુંડ્ર લગાવવા યોગ્ય પવિત્ર દ્રવ્ય કહેવાયું છે।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa and Tripuṇḍra are treated as Śaiva identity-marks that purify the sādhaka and steady daily worship, supporting eligibility for Śiva-upāsanā.
It establishes that bhasma (sacred ash)—specifically fire-born ash from burnt cow-dung—is an approved purifier for Tripuṇḍra, symbolizing the burning of impurities and the transience of the body, aligning the devotee with Śiva as Pati (the liberating Lord).
Tripuṇḍra is a visible Shaiva mark used while honoring Saguna Śiva in Linga-pūjā; it functions as an external sign of inner devotion and disciplined practice, preparing the worshipper for focused reverence and grace.
Use āgneya bhasma (ash from burnt cow-dung) as a valid dravya to apply the Tripuṇḍra on the body—typically alongside Shaiva remembrance such as the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and a contemplative attitude of purification.