Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 28
एकदा शिवपूजायै प्रवृत्तः शबरोत्तमः । न ददर्श चिताभस्म पात्रे पूरितमण्वपि
ekadā śivapūjāyai pravṛttaḥ śabarottamaḥ | na dadarśa citābhasma pātre pūritamaṇvapi
Un jour, lorsque le meilleur des Śabaras se mit en devoir d’accomplir le culte de Śiva, il ne vit dans son récipient pas même la moindre parcelle de cendre du bûcher funéraire.
Sūta (continuing narration)
Listener: Śaunaka and the Naimiṣāraṇya ṛṣis (frame implied)
Scene: The Śabara opens his small vessel expecting ash; it is empty. His face shows surprise and anxious devotion; the liṅga stands ready for worship, lamp lit, offerings arranged except for the missing bhasma.
FAQs
Devotion is tested when customary supports are missing; the devotee’s sincerity must find a way forward.
No holy site is mentioned; the narrative focuses on a devotee’s worship and an unexpected lack of ritual material.
It implies the regular use of citā-bhasma in Śiva worship, and introduces a situation where it is unavailable.