Linga Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 126
Adhyaya 71: पुरत्रयवृत्तान्तः—ब्रह्मवरदानम्, मयकृतत्रिपुर-निर्माणम्, विष्णुमाया-धर्मविघ्नः, शिवस्तुति, त्रिपुरदाहोपक्रमः
अङ्कितं कुङ्कुमाद्यैश् च वृत्तं भसितनिर्मितम् वक्त्रवृन्दं च पश्येश वृन्दं कामलकं यथा
aṅkitaṃ kuṅkumādyaiś ca vṛttaṃ bhasitanirmitam vaktravṛndaṃ ca paśyeśa vṛndaṃ kāmalakaṃ yathā
May tatak ng kuṅkuma at iba pa, at may bilog na tanda na yari sa bhasma, ang banal na abo; O Panginoon, aking namamasdan ang isang bilog ng mga mukha, na wari’y kumpol ng bungang amla.
Suta Goswami (narrating an internal description within the Linga-Puja context)
FAQs
It highlights bhasma (sacred ash) and auspicious markings (like kumkuma) as sanctifying signs used in Shaiva worship—outer symbols of inner purification and devotion to Pati (Shiva).
By addressing Shiva as Īśa and depicting a wondrous, many-faced vision, it points to Shiva’s all-pervading lordship—one Pati appearing in manifold forms for the devotee’s darśana.
Bhasma-dhāraṇa and sacred marking (tilaka/maṇḍala-like circular sign) are implied—core Shaiva observances that support Pashupata discipline by reducing pasha (bondage) through purity, restraint, and focused worship.