Devi Bhagavatam 11.13.32 — Cosmic Feminine Manifestations, Skandha 11, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 32

Skandha 11, Adhyaya 13: Tripundra Dharana Mahatmya Varnanam

Devanagari script

शिवार्चनात्परं पुण्यं न हि तीर्थं च भस्मना । रुद्राग्नेर्यत्परं तीर्थं तद्‍भस्म परिकीर्तितम्

Transliteration

śivārcanātparaṃ puṇyaṃ na hi tīrthaṃ ca bhasmanā . rudrāgneryatparaṃ tīrthaṃ tad‍bhasma parikīrtitam

Translation

គ្មានបុណ្យណាខ្ពស់ជាងការបូជាព្រះសិវៈឡើយ ហើយក៏គ្មានទឹកមន្តណាស្មើនឹងភស្មៈដ៏វិសុទ្ធដែរ។ ភស្មៈដែលកើតចេញពីភ្លើងរបស់ព្រះរុទ្រៈ ត្រូវបានប្រកាសថាជាធម្មយាត្រាដ៏ខ្ពង់ខ្ពស់បំផុត។

Word by Word

• śivārcanāt: Than the worship of Shiva
• śivārcanāt: Apadaana (Comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva-arcana
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• param: Higher
• param: Attribute
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• puṇyam: Merit
• puṇyam: Kartri (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṇya
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• tīrtham: Holy place/water
• tīrtham: Kartri (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• bhasmanā: By/with ash
• bhasmanā: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhasman
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• rudrāgneḥ: Of Rudra and Agni
• rudrāgneḥ: Sambandha (Possession)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra-agni
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• parikīrtitam: Is proclaimed
• parikīrtitam: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-kīrt
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

Narayana

Shakti Theology

Devi Form: null

Mahavidya Connection: null

Shakti Manifestation: null

Tattva Discussed: null

Devi Narrative

Demon Antagonist: null

Devi Weapon Used: null

Narrative Source: null

Story Arc Position: null

Tantra Dimension

Mantra Referenced: null

Yantra Referenced: null

Kundalini Element: null

Chakra Referenced: null

Tantric Practice Type: Bhasma Dharana

Bhakti & Stuti

Stuti Type: null

Recitation Occasion: null

Phala Shruti: Attainment of supreme merit

Devotee Offering Stuti: null

Cosmic Feminine

Maya Aspect: null

Creation Role: null

Shakti Philosophy: null

Relation To Brahman: null

Vyasa-Janamejaya Dialogue

Narrator: Narayana

Listener: Narada

Dialogue Context: Declaring Bhasma as the ultimate pilgrimage

Narrative Layer: embedded

Ritual Context

Text: Equates the physical application of Bhasma with the spiritual cleansing obtained from bathing in sacred rivers.

Philosophical Significance

Text: Internalizes the concept of Tirtha (pilgrimage); true purification comes from the fire of divine knowledge (Rudra-Agni) which burns away ignorance, leaving only the pure ash.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhasma
• Rudra

FAQs

What is considered the highest form of merit?

The verse declares that there is no merit higher than the worship (Archana) of Lord Shiva.

How is Bhasma compared to pilgrimages?

Bhasma, originating from the fire of Rudra, is considered superior to all holy waters and is declared to be the supreme pilgrimage (Tirtha) itself.