Shloka 44
ऋषभचरित्रवर्णनम् (Ṛṣabha-caritra-varṇanam) — “Account of Ṛṣabha’s Sacred Narrative”
तदङ्ग भस्मनामृश्य कृपया दीनवत्सलः । स द्वादशसहस्रस्य गजानां च बलं ददौ
tadaṅga bhasmanāmṛśya kṛpayā dīnavatsalaḥ | sa dvādaśasahasrasya gajānāṃ ca balaṃ dadau
तदङ्ग भस्मना मृश्य कृपया दीनवत्सलः स द्वादशसहस्रगजानां बलं ददौ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s anugraha (grace): by the sanctifying touch of bhasma, divine power is transmitted, showing that purity and strength arise from the Lord’s compassionate intervention, not merely from personal effort.
Bhasma is a key Shaiva mark associated with Saguna Shiva worship and Linga-upasana; it signifies surrender to Shiva and remembrance that all forms return to ash, while Shiva alone remains the supreme Pati who bestows upliftment.
It suggests reverent use of bhasma (Tripundra) as a Shaiva practice—applying sacred ash with devotion (often alongside the Panchakshara mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as a reminder of renunciation and a focus for inner steadiness.