Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
कामभस्म-प्रार्थना: रत्याः शङ्करं प्रति विनयः / Rati’s Supplication to Śaṅkara regarding Kāma’s Ashes
ब्रह्मोवाच । तदित्युक्त्वा कामभस्म ददौ सग्रन्धिबन्धनम् । रुरोद पुरतश्शम्भोर्नाथ नाथेत्युदीर्य्य च
brahmovāca | tadityuktvā kāmabhasma dadau sagrandhibandhanam | ruroda purataśśambhornātha nāthetyudīryya ca
ব্ৰহ্মাই ক’লে—এইদৰে কৈ সি গাঁঠি-বাঁধা পুটলিসহ কামৰ ভস্ম (তাক) দিলে। তাৰপিছত শম্ভুৰ সন্মুখত থিয় হৈ ‘নাথ, নাথ’ বুলি পুনঃপুনঃ কঁদিবলৈ ধৰিলে।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: नाथ नाथ
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
Kāma-bhasma symbolizes the burning of binding desire in Śiva’s presence; the weeping and repeated “Nātha” expresses bhakti and surrender, where the soul seeks refuge in Pati (Śiva) beyond worldly impulse.
Approaching Śambhu directly with humble lament mirrors Saguna-Śiva worship: the devotee comes before the Lord (often as the Liṅga), offering inner emotion (bhāva) and seeking grace that transforms desire into spiritual aspiration.
It points to bhasma as a reminder of impermanence and the conquest of desire; a practical takeaway is mindful application of sacred ash (Tripuṇḍra) with remembrance of Śiva as “Nātha,” cultivating vairāgya and devotion.