Shloka 93
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
मकाराहवनीयौ च परमात्मा तमोदिवौ । ज्ञानशक्तिः सामवेदस्तृतीयं सवनं तथा
makārāhavanīyau ca paramātmā tamodivau | jñānaśaktiḥ sāmavedastṛtīyaṃ savanaṃ tathā
‘മ’ ആഹവനീയാഗ്നിയും, പരമാത്മാവും, തമസ്–ദിവസം എന്ന ദ്വയവും ആകുന്നു. അതേ ജ്ഞാനശക്തി, സാമവേദം, തൃതീയ-സവനവും കൂടിയാണ്।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating Shiva’s mantra-teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that even a single syllable of the Panchākṣara can be contemplated as the whole sacred cosmos—Vedic fires, Vedas, ritual times, and inner powers—so the devotee’s mantra-japa becomes complete worship leading toward Shiva-realization.
By mapping “ma” to ritual and cosmic principles (fire, Veda, savana), the verse supports saguna upāsanā: the Linga is worshipped outwardly while the same meanings are installed inwardly through mantra, making the rite a direct offering to Shiva as Paramātman.
Practice Panchākṣara japa with bhāvanā (contemplative visualization): while repeating “ma,” meditate on the Āhavanīya fire and offer the mind’s oblations to Shiva; this can be paired with traditional Śaiva aids like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa during daily worship.