Shloka 63
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
यानि तीर्थानि लोकेस्मिन्गंगाद्यास्सरितश्च याः । स्नातो भवति सर्वत्र ललाटे यस्त्रिपुंड्रकम्
yāni tīrthāni lokesmingaṃgādyāssaritaśca yāḥ | snāto bhavati sarvatra lalāṭe yastripuṃḍrakam
यो ललाटे त्रिपुण्ड्रकं बिभर्ति, स लोकेऽस्मिन् यानि तीर्थानि गङ्गाद्याः सरितश्च याः—सर्वत्र सर्वदा तेषु सर्वेषु स्नात इव भवति।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī/Viśvanātha tradition treats the kṣetra as a living tīrtha where Śiva grants purification; this verse internalizes tīrtha-phala into the Śaiva mark (tripuṇḍra), implying constant sacredness through Śiva-sambandha rather than occasional travel.
Significance: Tripuṇḍra is equated with universal tīrtha-snāna merit; reinforces daily, portable sanctity and readiness for worship.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that bearing Shiva’s Tripuṇḍra is a constant sign of consecration to Pati (Shiva) and grants the fruit of sacred bathing—symbolizing inner purification and Shaiva identity beyond mere physical travel to tīrthas.
Tripuṇḍra is a visible Shaiva saṃskāra used in Saguna Shiva worship—especially in Linga-pūjā—marking the devotee as dedicated to Shiva and aligned with the disciplines (ācāra) that support devotion and grace.
Apply vibhūti as Tripuṇḍra on the forehead (and traditionally other places) with reverence, ideally while remembering Shiva and reciting the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” treating it as a daily purification and devotional vow.