In most of the TV serials, it's shown that Lord Vishnu or Krishna apply Urdhva Pundrak and Lord Shiva applies tripundra. Is there a scriptural basis?

Question

Kindly provide with any scriptural basis for the answer. Thank you.

Answer 1

• Yes, Śiva applies the Tripuṇḍra (त्रिपुंड्र).

The Śiva Purāṇa's Verse 1.24.11 say so:

Chapter 24 - The greatness of the holy ashes (bhasma), Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā, Śiva Purāṇa

शिवेन विष्णुना चैव तथा तिर्यक्त्रिपुंड्रकम् । उमादेवी च लक्ष्मींश्च वाचान्याभिश्च नित्यशः ॥ ११ ॥
ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यैः शूद्रै रपि च संस्करैः । अपभ्रंशैर्धृतं भस्मत्रिपुंड्रोद्धूलनात्मना ॥ १२ ॥

11. & 12. Śiva, Viṣṇu, Umā, Lakṣmī, goddess of speech and other gods and goddesses, brahmins, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and persons of mixed castes and hill tribes have observed Tripuṇḍra and dusting (Uddhūlana) always.

English Translation by J.L Shastri

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• Visnu wears the Ūrdhvapuṇḍra (ऊर्ध्वपुण्ड्र) tilaka.

Padma Purāṇa Verse 6.229.137 says so:

Chapter 229 - Uttara-Khaṇḍa, Padma-purāṇa

तन्मध्ये कर्णिकायां तु समासीनो जनार्दनः । शुद्धजांबूनदप्रख्यो मुक्ताहारविभूषितः ॥ १३३ ॥

133. In it, in the pericarp, is seated Viṣṇu. He is like pure gold, and is adorned with a necklace of pearl

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षोडशाब्दवयो रूपयौवनेन विराजितः । विशालभालदेशे तु कुंकुमेन सुगंधिना ॥ १३६ ॥ रचितेनोर्ध्वपुंड्रेण सीमंतेनोपशोभितः । मथितामृतफेनाभ शुक्लवस्त्रसुवेष्टितः ॥ १३७ ॥

136. & 137. He is graced with rows of white He is adorned with youth proper for the age and form of (a lad of) sixteen years. He is graced with an upright, fragrant mark (Ūrdhvapuṇḍra) made with saffron, and the parting line of hair. He is well covered with a white garment resembling the foam of nectar that was churned (out of the ocean).

English Translation by N.A. Deshpande