Shloka 7

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

अग्निहोत्रोत्थितं भस्मसंग्राह्यं वा मनीषिभिः । अन्ययज्ञोत्थितं वापि त्रिपुण्ड्रस्य च धारणे

Transliteration

agnihotrotthitaṃ bhasmasaṃgrāhyaṃ vā manīṣibhiḥ | anyayajñotthitaṃ vāpi tripuṇḍrasya ca dhāraṇe

Translation

अग्निहोत्रोत्थितं भस्म संग्राह्यं वा मनीषिभिः; अन्ययज्ञोत्थितं वापि त्रिपुण्ड्रस्य च धारणे।

Word by Word

• agnihotra-utthitam: arisen from the agnihotra
• agnihotra-utthitam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agnihotra (प्रातिपदिक) + utthita (कृदन्त; उत्-√sthā धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: 'अग्निहोत्रात् उत्थितम्'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'भस्म' इत्यस्य विशेषण

• bhasma-saṃgrāhyam: to be collected as ash
• bhasma-saṃgrāhyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhasman (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃgrāhya (कृदन्त; सम्-√grah धातु)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष: 'भस्म (as object) संग्राह्यम्'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (to be collected)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (disjunctive particle)

• manīṣibhiḥ: by the wise (sages)
• manīṣibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manīṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; करण/कर्तृसाधन (by the wise)

• anya-yajña-utthitam: arisen from another sacrifice
• anya-yajña-utthitam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + utthita (कृदन्त; उत्-√sthā धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: 'अन्ययज्ञात् उत्थितम्'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'भस्म' इत्यस्य विशेषण

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (also/even)

• tripuṇḍrasya: of the tripuṇḍra
• tripuṇḍrasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tripuṇḍra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• dhāraṇe: in the wearing/holding (application)
• dhāraṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in/for wearing)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Legitimizes multiple ritually pure sources of vibhūti (Agnihotra/other yajñas), enabling consistent Tripuṇḍra practice for householders and ascetics alike.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It sanctifies Tripuṇḍra-dhāraṇa by prescribing pure bhasma sourced from Vedic fire rites, emphasizing inner purity and Shaiva identity through disciplined, consecrated practice.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Tripuṇḍra is an external mark of devotion to Saguna Shiva (worshiped as the Linga and Lord Viśveśvara), aligning the body and daily conduct with Shiva’s worship and temple/household ritual life.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Collect and use vibhūti (bhasma) specifically from Agnihotra or other yajñas for applying the Tripuṇḍra, treating it as a consecrated act of daily Shaiva observance.