Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 2
भस्मनश्चापि माहात्म्यं वर्णयामि समासतः । कृतकृत्या भविष्यंति यच्छुत्वा पापिनो जनाः
bhasmanaścāpi māhātmyaṃ varṇayāmi samāsataḥ | kṛtakṛtyā bhaviṣyaṃti yacchutvā pāpino janāḥ
I shall also describe, in brief, the greatness of sacred ash (bhasma). On hearing it, even people burdened with sin become fulfilled—having accomplished what must be accomplished.
Sūta
Tirtha: Bhasma (Vibhūti)
Type: kshetra
Listener: Ṛṣayaḥ (assembly of sages)
Scene: Sūta begins teaching on bhasma: a devotee applies three horizontal ash lines on forehead and arms; a sacred fire (agni) glows nearby, symbolizing transformation of impurity into sanctity.
FAQs
Sacred ash is upheld as a powerful Śaiva purifier; even hearing its greatness elevates the sinner toward spiritual completion.
No site is named; the focus is a ritual-sacramental element (bhasma) central to Śaiva dharma.
Hearing (śravaṇa) the bhasma-māhātmya is itself recommended as spiritually transformative.