Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 45
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
उद्धूलनकरा ये हि विभूत्या सितया गणाः । ते सर्वे परिहर्तव्या नानेतव्याः कदाचन
uddhūlanakarā ye hi vibhūtyā sitayā gaṇāḥ | te sarve parihartavyā nānetavyāḥ kadācana
Quant aux gaṇas qui se poudrent le corps de vibhūti blanche, tous ceux-là doivent être évités; qu’on ne les admette jamais, en aucun temps, dans sa compagnie ou sa pratique.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā teaching to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It teaches discernment (viveka) in Śaiva practice: external marks like vibhūti must be joined with right conduct and devotion to Śiva; association with those who misuse sacred observances is to be avoided for protecting one’s sādhana.
In Liṅga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship, vibhūti is a sacred sign of Śiva’s grace and renunciation; the verse warns that mere outward ash-smearing without proper Śaiva discipline can become hypocrisy, so the devotee should keep pure association while honoring the Liṅga with authentic devotion.
Maintain purity of saṅga (company) while observing Śaiva marks like vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra; treat bhasma as sacred and combine it with mantra-japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī) and ethical restraint rather than mere outward display.