Śiva-Śakti Tattva, Varṇa-Rahasya, and Mahāvākya-Bhāvanā
Interpretive Discipline
तिलकं वन्दनेनाथ सर्वाङ्गालेपनं पुनः । स्वसम्प्रदायानुगुणं कारयेच्च यथाविधि
tilakaṃ vandanenātha sarvāṅgālepanaṃ punaḥ | svasampradāyānuguṇaṃ kārayecca yathāvidhi
Rồi, lạy Chúa Tể, sau khi đảnh lễ, người ta nên lại điểm tilaka và xoa bôi toàn thân, thực hành đúng nghi thức theo quy tắc và phù hợp với truyền thống Śaiva của chính mình.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
It teaches that outer observances like tilaka and bodily anointing are meaningful when done with reverence and correct method, supporting inner devotion and disciplined Shaiva practice aligned with one’s lineage.
Tilaka and anointing function as preparatory acts of purification and identification with Shiva-bhakti, making the worshipper fit to approach Saguna Shiva—especially in Linga-puja—through orderly, tradition-based rites.
After salutations, apply the Shaiva tilaka (often tripuṇḍra with bhasma) and perform bodily anointing as prescribed in one’s sampradaya, maintaining attentive, rule-based worship that supports mantra-japa and puja.