Shloka 14
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
उद्धूलनं त्रिपुंड्रं च श्रद्धया नाचरंति ये । तेषां नास्ति विनिर्मुक्तिस्संसाराज्जन्मकोटिभिः
uddhūlanaṃ tripuṃḍraṃ ca śraddhayā nācaraṃti ye | teṣāṃ nāsti vinirmuktissaṃsārājjanmakoṭibhiḥ
Những ai không với lòng tín thành thực hành việc xoa tro thánh (uddhūlana) và mang dấu Tripuṇḍra — đối với họ không có sự giải thoát trọn vẹn khỏi luân hồi (saṃsāra), dẫu trải qua hàng triệu lần sinh.
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s Shaiva observances to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: States soteriological consequence: without śraddhā-filled bhasma/tripuṇḍra observance, ‘vinirmukti’ is denied even across countless births—underscoring bondage (pāśa) and the necessity of Śiva-oriented discipline.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that liberation (vinirmukti) is not merely an abstract ideal; it is supported by lived Shaiva discipline. Bhasma-uddhūlana and Tripuṇḍra, done with śraddhā, signify surrender to Pati (Shiva) and the purification of the pashu (individual soul) from pasha (bondage).
Tripuṇḍra and bhasma are outward seals of Saguna Shiva-bhakti, aligning the devotee’s body and identity with Linga-worship. They function as constant remembrance that Shiva is the inner Lord, while the devotee maintains ritual purity and devotion in daily practice.
Practice bhasma-uddhūlana and wear Tripuṇḍra with faith as a daily Shaiva observance—ideally alongside japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and regular Linga-pūjā—treating the marks as both purification and uninterrupted remembrance of Shiva.