Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 43
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
नाश्नीयाज्जलमन्नमल्पमपि वा भस्माक्षधृत्या विना । भुक्त्वावाथ गृही वनीपतियतिर्वर्णी तथा संकरः । एनोभुण्नरकं प्रयाति सत दागायत्रिजापेन तद्वर्णानां तु यतेस्तु मुख्यप्रणवाजपेन मुक्तंभवेत्
nāśnīyājjalamannamalpamapi vā bhasmākṣadhṛtyā vinā | bhuktvāvātha gṛhī vanīpatiyatirvarṇī tathā saṃkaraḥ | enobhuṇnarakaṃ prayāti sata dāgāyatrijāpena tadvarṇānāṃ tu yatestu mukhyapraṇavājapena muktaṃbhavet
Huwag kumain o uminom kahit kaunti man nang walang banal na bhasma (abo) at suot na rudrākṣa. Kapag matapos kumain ang maybahay, ang naninirahan sa gubat, ang yati (nagpapakabanal), ang brahmacārī na mag-aaral, o ang may halong varṇa ay nagpabaya rito, nagkakasala siya at nahuhulog sa impiyerno. Ang pagkukulang na iyon ay napapawi para sa mga āśrama sa pagbigkas ng Gāyatrī nang sandaang ulit; ngunit para sa yati, ang paglaya sa dungis ay nakakamit sa japa ng pangunahing Praṇava (Oṁ).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vidyeshvara/Viśveśvara teachings to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Frames daily life (āhāra) as inseparable from Śaiva purity discipline (bhasma-rudrākṣa). Prescribes expiation through Gāyatrī-japa and, for yatis, Praṇava-japa—linking conduct, mantra, and liberation.
Mantra: (implied) oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ | tat savitur vareṇyaṃ | bhargo devasya dhīmahi | dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt ||
Type: gayatri
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva identity and inner alignment with Pati (Lord Shiva) are upheld through visible and inward disciplines—Tripuṇḍra bhasma and rudrākṣa—so that even ordinary acts like eating become sanctified and do not bind the soul (paśu) in impurity.
Bhasma and rudrākṣa are considered marks of devotion to Saguna Shiva and His Linga-worship tradition; wearing them signals continual remembrance of Shiva, making daily life an extension of pūjā rather than a separate, worldly activity.
Always wear bhasma and rudrākṣa before eating; if neglected, perform prāyaścitta through japa—Gāyatrī 100 times for householders and other orders, and for renunciates the primary remedy is sustained Praṇava (Oṁ) japa.