Shloka 3

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

भस्मसाद्विहितं सर्वं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् भस्मना वीर्यमास्थाय भूतानि परिषिञ्चति

Transliteration

bhasmasādvihitaṃ sarvaṃ pavitramidamuttamam bhasmanā vīryamāsthāya bhūtāni pariṣiñcati

Translation

Todo esto—cuando es consagrado al estado de ceniza sagrada (bhasma)—se vuelve el purificador supremo. Sostenido por la potencia del bhasma, uno santifica a todos los seres al rociarlos o ungirlos, pues lleva el poder de Śiva como Pati, que quema el pāśa de la impureza.

Word by Word

• भस्मसा(द्): into/as bhasma (sacred ash)

• विहितम्: ordained/established, duly prepared

• सर्वम्: all (things/acts)

• पवित्रम्: purifying, holy

• इदम्: this

• उत्तमम्: supreme, best

• भस्मना: by/with bhasma

• वीर्यम्: potency, sacred power

• आस्थाय: having assumed/embraced, taking refuge in

• भूतानि: beings/creatures/elements

• परिषिञ्चति: sprinkles upon, anoints, sanctifies

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It elevates bhasma (vibhuti) as a supreme purifier used in Shaiva practice—supporting Linga-puja by emphasizing anointing/sanctifying actions that align the worshipper with Śiva’s purifying power.

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

Śiva-tattva is implied through the “vīrya” (potency) carried by bhasma: the Lord as Pati empowers purification that burns away pasha (bondage) and restores the pashu (soul) toward śuddhi (purity).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Shaiva bhasma-dhāraṇa and bhasma-prokṣaṇa (applying/sprinkling sacred ash), a Pāśupata-oriented purification practice used to consecrate oneself and one’s surroundings for worship and inner discipline.