Thread by @_ugra_

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, people of mixed castes, women, widows, girls, heretics, a brahmacarin, a householder, a forest dweller, an ascetic, performer of sacred rites who have Tripundra marks are undoubtedly liberated souls. (8)

The one who wears the Tripundra while performing Shraddha, Yajna, Japa, Homa, Vaishvadeva and the worship of the deities is a purified soul and he conquers even death. (9)

The Tripundra on the forehead extends from the middle of the eyebrows to the tips of the brows on either side.

With the middle & the ring fingers a line drawn in the opposite direction is called Tripundra.

For each of the 3 lines there are 9 deities everywhere in the body (10)

The nine deities of the first line of the Tripundra are:

The syllable “A”(of AUM), Garhapatya (sacrificial fire), Earth, Dharma, Rajas attribute, Rigveda, Kriyashkti (the power to do), Pratahsavana (morning rituals) and Mahadeva. (11)

The nine deities of the second line are:

The syllable “U” (of AUM), Dakshina fire (sacrificial fire), the principle of Ether, Sattva attribute, Yajurveda, Madhyandina Savana (midday rituals), Icchashakti (will power), the Antaratman (immanent soul) & Maheshwara. (12)

The nine deities of the third line are:

The syllable “M” (of AUM), Aahavaniya (sacrificial fire), the supreme soul, Tamas attribute, Swarga, Jnana Shakti, Samaveda, the third Savana (evening rituals) and Shiva. (13)

The next few Shlokas go into the detail of the deities associated with various body parts, followed by which parts of the body where Tripundra can be applied. I'll continue the thread tomorrow. Thank you all for reading so far. Shubarathri.