Shloka 40
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
भस्मादाय तदाधारादघोस्त्राभिमन्त्रितम् । विसृज्य शक्रमुद्दिश्य ननाद स मुनिस्तदा
bhasmādāya tadādhārādaghostrābhimantritam | visṛjya śakramuddiśya nanāda sa munistadā
ثم أخذ الحكيمُ الرمادَ المقدّس (bhasma) من وعائه، وقدّسه بتعويذة «سلاح أغورا»، ثم قذفه نحو شَكرا (إندرا) وزأر زئيرًا مدوّيًا في تلك اللحظة.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Mantra: अघोरास्त्र (Aghorāstra) — text not quoted in the verse; only the astra-name is given.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It portrays bhasma not as mere ash but as a Shaiva sacrament: when joined with mantra (Aghora), it becomes a vehicle of Shiva’s śakti that can subdue egoic or celestial power, reminding devotees that true authority rests in Pati (Shiva).
Bhasma is a key external marker of Saguna Shiva worship (Tripuṇḍra and vibhūti). The verse shows mantra-empowered ritual substance being used as a divine ‘astra’, reflecting how Linga-centered worship channels Shiva’s protective and transformative grace into the world.
It suggests consecrating bhasma with Shiva-mantra (Aghora/Pañcākṣarī in broader practice) and using it reverentially—applying Tripuṇḍra, meditating on Aghora Shiva, and cultivating inner fearlessness and detachment.