Shloka 5

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

भासत इत्येव यद्भस्म शुभं भावयते च यत् भक्षणात् सर्वपापानां भस्मेति परिकीर्तितम्

Transliteration

bhāsata ityeva yadbhasma śubhaṃ bhāvayate ca yat bhakṣaṇāt sarvapāpānāṃ bhasmeti parikīrtitam

Translation

It is called “bhasma” because it shines (bhāsata) and is contemplated as auspicious; and because, by consuming—burning up—all sins, it is praised as “bhasma”, that which reduces impurities to ash.

Word by Word

• bhāsata: it shines, it illumines

• iti-eva: thus indeed

• yat: which

• bhasma: sacred ash

• śubham: auspicious, pure

• bhāvayate: one contemplates/meditates upon, brings into devotional awareness

• ca: and

• yat: which

• bhakṣaṇāt: by consuming, devouring, burning up

• sarva-pāpānām: of all sins

• bhasma iti: as ‘bhasma’

• parikīrtitam: is proclaimed, is extolled

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Linga Purana’s teaching on bhasma to the sages of Naimisharanya)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It defines bhasma as both auspicious and sin-consuming, supporting bhasma-dharana as a core purifier in Shiva-puja centered on the Linga.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

By emphasizing the power that ‘burns up’ sin, it points to Shiva as Pati—the liberating Lord whose grace destroys pasha (bondage) afflicting the pashu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhasma-dharana with śubha-bhāvanā—applying sacred ash while contemplating its purity and its power to consume impurities, aligning practice with Pashupata-oriented purification.