Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 56

भस्म-प्रकार-त्रिपुण्ड्र-धारण-विधिः

Types of Bhasma and the Method of Wearing Tripuṇḍra

Devanagari script

परद्र व्यापहरणं परदाराभिमर्शनम् । परनिन्दा परक्षेत्रहरणं परपीडनम्

Transliteration

paradra vyāpaharaṇaṃ paradārābhimarśanam | paranindā parakṣetraharaṇaṃ parapīḍanam

Translation

盗取他人财物、侵犯他人配偶、诽谤他人、侵夺他人田地、伤害众生——此等损害之业使灵魂系于垢染，障蔽通往湿婆法（Śiva-dharma）之道。

Word by Word

• पर-द्रव्य-अपहरणम्: stealing another's property
• पर-द्रव्य-अपहरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अपहरण (प्रातिपदिक; √हृ धातु से)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य द्रव्यस्य अपहरणम्)

• पर-दार-अभिमर्शनम्: molesting another's wife
• पर-दार-अभिमर्शनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + दार (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिमर्शन (प्रातिपदिक; √मृश् धातु से)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य दारस्य अभिमर्शनम्)

• पर-निन्दा: slandering others
• पर-निन्दा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + निन्दा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य निन्दा)

• पर-क्षेत्र-हरणम्: seizing another's land/field
• पर-क्षेत्र-हरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + हरण (प्रातिपदिक; √हृ धातु से)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य क्षेत्रस्य हरणम्)

• पर-पीडनम्: oppressing others
• पर-पीडनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + पीडन (प्रातिपदिक; √पीड् धातु से)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य पीडनम्)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: As part of the Kāśī-centered teaching in the Viśveśvarasaṃhitā, these prohibitions function as preparatory śuddhi for approaching Viśveśvara (Śiva as Lord of the universe) and avoiding pāśa (bondage) generated by hiṃsā and adharma.

Significance: Ethical restraint (yama) is framed as a prerequisite for Śiva-bhakti; avoiding these harms is presented as removing obstacles to liṅga-sevā and receiving Śiva’s anugraha in Kāśī.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It lists core unethical acts that generate bondage (pāśa) through harm and impurity; renouncing them purifies the pashu (individual soul) and supports steady devotion toward Pati, Lord Shiva.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Linga-worship is not only ritual but inner purity; these actions contradict the sanctity (śauca) expected of a devotee approaching Saguna Shiva in the Linga, thereby weakening merit and bhakti.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice restraint (yama-like discipline) alongside daily Shiva-japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and maintain conduct consistent with Tripuṇḍra/Bhasma observance: non-harm and purity in thought, word, and deed.