Shloka 34
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
वैश्यस्त्रियं बकेनैव शूद्र ः पंचाक्षरेण तु । अन्यासां विधवास्त्रीणां विधिः प्रोक्तश्च शूद्र वत्
vaiśyastriyaṃ bakenaiva śūdra ḥ paṃcākṣareṇa tu | anyāsāṃ vidhavāstrīṇāṃ vidhiḥ proktaśca śūdra vat
Wanita Vaiśya hendaklah melakukan japa dengan mantra yang disebut “Baka”; manakala seorang Śūdra hendaklah melakukan japa dengan Pañcākṣarī. Bagi para balu yang lain juga, amalan yang ditetapkan dinyatakan sama seperti bagi Śūdra.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Vidyeśvarasaṃhitā teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadashiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Within the Viśveśvara/Kāśī teaching frame, the text extends access to Śiva-mantra practice across social categories, assigning specific mantras as upāyas (means) suited to eligibility as understood by the Purāṇic ritual code.
Significance: Highlights inclusivity of Śiva-bhakti through mantra-japa; even where ritual hierarchy is assumed, the Pañcākṣarī is presented as an accessible salvific practice.
Mantra: namaḥ śivāya
Type: panchakshara
FAQs
It emphasizes that devotion to Śiva through mantra-japa is given practical forms suited to different social situations, while upholding the core Shaiva Siddhanta principle that sincere bhakti and disciplined practice lead the soul (paśu) toward Śiva (Pati).
The Pañcākṣarī is a central Saguna-Śiva upāsanā mantra used alongside Liṅga worship; the verse situates mantra-japa as an authorized approach to approaching Śiva’s grace through accessible, rule-based devotion.
It directly recommends mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (Namaḥ Śivāya)—as the primary practice for certain practitioners, implying steady repetition with purity of intent as a core Shaiva discipline.