Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 32
शिवाश्रम-नित्यनैमित्तिककर्मविधिः / Śaiva Āśrama-Duties: Daily and Occasional Rites
Morning Purity & Bath Procedure
पुनर्न्यस्तकरो मन्त्री त्रिपुंड्रं भस्मना लिखेत् । अवक्रमाय तं व्यक्तं ललाटे गन्धवारिणा
punarnyastakaro mantrī tripuṃḍraṃ bhasmanā likhet | avakramāya taṃ vyaktaṃ lalāṭe gandhavāriṇā
Kemudian, pemuja yang mengetahui mantra, setelah sekali lagi meletakkan tangan menurut tertibnya, hendaklah melukis Tripuṇḍra dengan bhasma (abu suci). Sesudah itu, hendaklah ia menandainya dengan jelas pada dahi menggunakan air wangi, agar tampak nyata, elok dan sempurna bentuknya.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa (wearing the three ash-lines) is a disciplined Shaiva observance: the outer mark made with bhasma supports inner remembrance of Shiva, purity, and detachment, aligning the devotee toward liberation.
Tripuṇḍra is a traditional Shaiva identity-mark used while performing Saguna worship such as Linga-pūjā; it prepares the body-mind as a fit vessel for mantra and offering, while pointing beyond form toward Shiva as the supreme Pati.
Apply Tripuṇḍra on the forehead using sacred ash, then make it distinct with fragrant water; do so in a composed posture as part of mantra-japa and daily Shiva worship.