Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 94
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
भूतप्रेतपिशासाश्च रोगाश्चातीव दुस्सहाः । भस्मनिष्ठस्य सान्निध्याद्विद्रवंति न संशयः
bhūtapretapiśāsāśca rogāścātīva dussahāḥ | bhasmaniṣṭhasya sānnidhyādvidravaṃti na saṃśayaḥ
إنّ البهوتا والبريتا والبيشاتشا، بل وحتى الأمراض الشديدة التي لا تُطاق، تفرّ من مجرّد حضور من يثبت على البَسْمَة (الرماد المقدّس)؛ لا ريب في ذلك.
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa is presented as an apotropaic (rakṣā) Śaiva mark: proximity to a bhasma-niṣṭha devotee repels bhūta/preta/piśāca and severe roga—framing ash as a portable ‘tīrtha’ of Śiva’s purity and protection rather than a site-specific merit.
FAQs
It teaches that steadfast devotion expressed through bhasma (a Shaiva mark of surrender and purity) establishes a protective spiritual field, dissolving fear, negativity, and afflictive forces by Shiva’s grace.
Bhasma is traditionally received from Shiva worship (including Linga-pūjā) and worn as a sign of belonging to Shiva; the verse implies that closeness to such a devotee reflects the sanctity of Saguna Shiva’s worship and its tangible protective effect.
Maintain bhasma-niṣṭhā: reverently apply sacred ash (tripuṇḍra) with Shiva-remembrance/mantra and live with disciplined devotion, so that the mind stays aligned with Shiva and fear-based disturbances subside.