Shloka 53

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थो वा वानप्रस्थोथ वा यतिः । ब्रह्मक्षत्त्राश्च विट्शूद्रा स्तथान्ये पतिताधमाः

Transliteration

brahmacārī gṛhastho vā vānaprasthotha vā yatiḥ | brahmakṣattrāśca viṭśūdrā stathānye patitādhamāḥ

Translation

బ్రహ్మచారి అయినా, గృహస్థుడైనా, వానప్రస్థుడైనా, యతియైనా; బ్రాహ్మణ-క్షత్రియుడైనా, వైశ్య-శూద్రుడైనా—ఇతర పతితాధములైన వారైనా—(అందరూ) శివభక్తి వైపు మళ్లుటకు అర్హులే.

Word by Word

• brahmacārī: a celibate student
• brahmacārī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st), एकवचन; nominative singular

• gṛhasthaḥ: a householder
• gṛhasthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛhastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्प (or)

• vānaprasthaḥ: a forest-dweller (vānaprastha)
• vānaprasthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānaprastha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• atha: and/then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनन्तर (and/then)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्प (or)

• yatiḥ: an ascetic
• yatiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• brahma-kṣattrāḥ: Brahmins and Kshatriyas
• brahma-kṣattrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + kṣatra (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (ब्राह्मणाः + क्षत्रियाः)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• viṭ-śūdrāḥ: Vaishyas and Shudras
• viṭ-śūdrāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṭ (प्रातिपदिक) + śūdra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (वैश्याः + शूद्राः)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्य (so/likewise)

• anye: others
• anye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; nominative plural

• patita-adhamāḥ: fallen wretches
• patita-adhamāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: patita (कृदन्त; from pat धातु) + adhama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (‘fallen and base’)

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Universal eligibility: all āśramas and varṇas (and even the socially ‘fallen’) can orient to Śiva through bhakti and purificatory marks—an inclusivist soteriology centered on Śiva’s grace.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It declares the universality of Śiva-bhakti: regardless of āśrama (life-stage), varṇa (social order), or even past lapses, one can turn to Pati (Śiva) and become fit for upliftment through devotion and grace.

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

By stating broad eligibility, the verse supports accessible Saguna worship—especially Liṅga-pūjā—as a compassionate means through which any seeker may approach Śiva and receive purifying grace leading toward liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is to adopt Śiva-upāsanā without hesitation—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with simple Liṅga-pūjā (water/leaf offerings) and a disciplined, repentant devotional attitude.