"Whoever marks the Tripundra with ashes is purified from sins of first and second degree, who makes it on his forehead without the mantras, being ignorant of its virtues, will be purified of every simple sin".

"Whoever marks the Tripundra with ashes is purified from sins of first and second degree, who makes it on his forehead without the mantras, being ignorant of its virtues, will be purified of every simple sin". ‪Beginning from their eyebrows, carrying it to their extremity, the mark made with their thumb reverted between the middle and third fingers is called Tripundra. It personifies as Pranava (life) and indicates three activities of God. Creation, sustenance and destruction. Tripundra represents three intentions of man. Rajas, Sattva, Tamas. These three lines signify Kriya Shakti (power of work), Iccha Shakti (will power) and Jnana Shakti (power of knowledge). These three lines represents three modes of Shiva. Maheshwara, Sada Shiva, Mahadev, which are symbolic representation of Tripundra. Upanishads says that applying the Tripundra over different parts of the body causes all the sins accumulated over the previous birth to perish. Tripundra tilak has lived down the ages as the symbol of Shiva himself. Bhasma or Vibhuti is used on the forehead as Tripundra, as three horizontal lines representing Lord Shiva. When applied with a red spot in the centre, the mark symbolises the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe of Shiva-Shakti. Bhasma is specially associated with Shiva, who applies it all over His body, is said to be favourite of Shiva and that's why He is often called Vibhuti Bhushan, meaning the one having ash as his ornament!
Har Har Mahadev ~ Jai Mahakal!