Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 18
शिवज्ञान-प्रश्नः तथा सृष्टौ शिवस्य स्वयमाविर्भावः
Inquiry into Śiva-knowledge and Śiva’s self-manifestation in creation
भस्मसंछन्नसर्वांगा बभूवुरमरास्तदा । अथ तेषां प्रसादार्थं पशूनां पतिरीश्वरः
bhasmasaṃchannasarvāṃgā babhūvuramarāstadā | atha teṣāṃ prasādārthaṃ paśūnāṃ patirīśvaraḥ
Alors les dieux furent entièrement couverts de la cendre sacrée (bhasma). Puis, pour leur accorder sa grâce, le Seigneur—Īśvara, le Pati (Maître) de tous les paśu, les âmes liées—se manifesta selon sa volonté.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Shaiva Siddhanta’s core principle that liberation and divine help arise from Śiva’s prasāda (grace): even the devas seek His favor, and the mark of bhasma symbolizes surrender, purity, and the burning away of bondage.
Bhasma is a key Shaiva emblem used in Saguna worship—applied while approaching Śiva (often before the Liṅga) as a sign of devotion and readiness to receive His prasāda; it also points to Śiva as Pati, the gracious Lord who responds to worship.
Applying sacred ash (bhasma), traditionally as Tripuṇḍra with remembrance of Śiva and recitation of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), is implied as a devotional discipline oriented toward receiving Śiva’s grace.