Shloka 66
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
दीप्त्यर्थं तत्तु संग्राह्यं मन्यते पूज्यतेपि च । भस्मशब्दार्थ एवं हि शिवः पूर्वं तथाऽकरोत्
dīptyarthaṃ tattu saṃgrāhyaṃ manyate pūjyatepi ca | bhasmaśabdārtha evaṃ hi śivaḥ pūrvaṃ tathā'karot
It is held that this bhasma should be gathered for the sake of spiritual radiance, and it is also regarded as worthy of worship. Indeed, this is the very purport of the word “bhasma”; and Lord Śiva himself acted in this manner in ancient times.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that bhasma (sacred ash) is not ordinary residue but a revered Shaiva sacramental substance kept for inner and outer “radiance” (dīpti), symbolizing purity, detachment, and Shiva-oriented consciousness.
Bhasma is treated as worship-worthy because it supports Saguna Shiva worship through visible Shaiva marks (like Tripuṇḍra) and prepares the devotee’s body-mind as a fit vessel for Linga-pūjā and remembrance of Shiva.
Collect and preserve sacred ash, honor it as a Shaiva aid to purity, and apply it as Tripuṇḍra while maintaining Shiva-smṛti (remembrance), especially in daily worship and Mahāśivarātri observances.