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
Then the sage took up sacred ash from its receptacle, consecrated it with the Aghora-weapon mantra, and casting it forth toward Śakra (Indra), he roared aloud at that moment.
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.