Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 93

पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow

Devanagari script

भस्मना दिग्धसर्वांगो भस्मदीप्तत्रिपुंड्रकः । भस्मस्नायी च पुरुषो भस्मनिष्ठ इति स्मृतः

Transliteration

bhasmanā digdhasarvāṃgo bhasmadīptatripuṃḍrakaḥ | bhasmasnāyī ca puruṣo bhasmaniṣṭha iti smṛtaḥ

Translation

ผู้ใดทาทั้งกายด้วยภัสมะ ผู้ใดมีตรีปุณฑระส่องสว่างด้วยภัสมะ และผู้ใดอาบด้วยภัสมะ—ผู้นั้นถูกกล่าวขานว่าเป็น “ภัสมนิษฐะ” ผู้ตั้งมั่นในภัสมะ।

Word by Word

• भस्मना: with ash
• भस्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन्/भस्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (Neuter, Instrumental, Singular)

• दिग्ध-सर्व-अङ्गः: whose whole body is smeared
• दिग्ध-सर्व-अङ्गः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिग्ध (कृदन्त, क्त; √दिह्) + सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (दिग्धानि सर्वाणि अङ्गानि यस्य)

• भस्म-दीप्त-त्रिपुण्ड्रकः: whose tripuṇḍra marks shine with ash
• भस्म-दीप्त-त्रिपुण्ड्रकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + दीप्त (कृदन्त, क्त; √दीप्) + त्रिपुण्ड्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); बहुव्रीहि (भस्मना दीप्तः त्रिपुण्ड्रकः यस्य)

• भस्म-स्नायी: one who bathes with ash
• भस्म-स्नायी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नायी (कृदन्त; √स्ना, णिनि/ई-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); तत्पुरुष (भस्मना स्नायी/स्नानशीलः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (conjunction)

• पुरुषः: man; person
• पुरुषः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular)

• भस्म-निष्ठः: ash-devoted (person)
• भस्म-निष्ठः: Pratijna/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + निष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom, Singular); तत्पुरुष (भस्मे निष्ठः)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle)

• स्मृतः: is regarded; is called
• स्मृतः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) → स्मृत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयभावे (is considered/called)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: Defines the visible Śaiva identity (tripuṇḍra + bhasma-snāna) as ‘bhasmaniṣṭhā’: a disciplined marker of belonging to Paśupati’s fold, aiding constant remembrance and protective ‘concealment’ from worldly impulses (tirodhāna) while preparing for grace.

Shakti Dimension

Role: teaching

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Bhasma
• Tripundra

FAQs

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

The verse defines “bhasma-niṣṭhā”—steadfast Shaiva observance—by outward marks (ash-smeared body and Tripuṇḍra) that reflect inner renunciation, purity, and unwavering devotion to Pati (Lord Śiva), aligning the devotee away from ego and impermanence toward liberation.

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

Bhasma and Tripuṇḍra are classic identifiers of Linga-worship and Saguna Śiva-bhakti: the devotee approaches Śiva through prescribed signs and disciplines, honoring Śiva as the gracious Lord (Pati) who accepts simple, rule-based worship and elevates the bound soul (paśu).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

It suggests the Shaiva practice of applying bhasma and wearing the Tripuṇḍra, and maintaining a disciplined “bhasma-observance” (bhasma-niṣṭhā)—a daily reminder in worship and meditation to cultivate detachment and steady devotion to Śiva.