Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 13
भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः
Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra
उद्धूलनं त्रिपुंड्रं च श्रद्धया नाचरंति ये । तेषां नास्ति समाचारो वर्णाश्रमसमन्वितः
uddhūlanaṃ tripuṃḍraṃ ca śraddhayā nācaraṃti ye | teṣāṃ nāsti samācāro varṇāśramasamanvitaḥ
凡不以信心修行圣灰涂身（uddhūlana）并佩戴三道圣灰纹（Tripuṇḍra）者，于彼等而言，便无与种姓与住期（varṇa、āśrama）戒律相应的正当行持。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Negative injunction (niṣedha-phala): neglect of bhasma/tripuṇḍra is framed as loss of samācāra (right Śaiva conduct), implying continued bondage and spiritual disorientation.
FAQs
It teaches that Shaiva identity is not merely philosophical but lived through śraddhā and disciplined observance—bhasma-uddhūlana and tripuṇḍra express inner surrender to Shiva (Pati) and the burning of impurity (pāśa), aligning one’s life with dharma.
Bhasma and tripuṇḍra are traditional Shaiva signs connected with Saguna worship—approaching Shiva through form, rite, and devotion. They prepare the devotee’s body-mind as a fit vessel for Linga-pūjā, reminding one of Shiva’s purity and the transient nature of worldly identity.
Practice sacred ash smearing (bhasma-uddhūlana) and wear the tripuṇḍra with faith as part of daily Shaiva discipline, ideally alongside mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and regular Linga worship.