Shloka 6
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
आग्नेयमुच्यते भस्म दग्धगोमयसंभवम् । तदापि द्र व्यमित्युक्तं त्रिपुंड्रस्य महामुने
āgneyamucyate bhasma dagdhagomayasaṃbhavam | tadāpi dra vyamityuktaṃ tripuṃḍrasya mahāmune
ഹേ മഹാമുനേ, കത്തിച്ച ഗോവളത്തിൽ നിന്നുണ്ടാകുന്ന ഭസ്മം ‘ആഗ്നേയ’മെന്നു വിളിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു; അതും ത്രിപുണ്ഡ്രം ധരിക്കുവാൻ യോഗ്യമായ പവിത്ര ദ്രവ്യമെന്നു പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നു।
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.
FAQs
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.