Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
देवस्तुतिः — Hymn of Praise by the Devas
Devastuti
शंबरश्शंकरे भक्तश्चिताभस्मधरस्सदा । नियमाद्भस्मनश्शंभो स्वस्त्रिया ते पुरं गतः
śaṃbaraśśaṃkare bhaktaścitābhasmadharassadā | niyamādbhasmanaśśaṃbho svastriyā te puraṃ gataḥ
シャンバラはシャンカラのバクタであり、常に火葬の灰を身に帯びていた。おおシャンブよ、聖灰（バスマ）を守り行ずる戒律の力によって、彼は妻とともにあなたの都へ赴いた。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Aghoramurti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it highlights bhasma-niyama (disciplined ash observance) associated with cremation-ground symbolism, marking detachment and Śiva-identification, culminating in reaching Śiva’s ‘pura’ (abode).
Significance: Validates bhasma as a Śaiva marker and vow: wearing sacred ash with niyama leads to purification, vairāgya, and Śiva-sāyujya/sālokya imagery (‘your city’).
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that steadfast bhakti to Śiva, supported by niyama (disciplined observance) and the Shaiva mark of bhasma, becomes a sanctifying practice that leads the devotee toward Śiva’s grace and attainment of His abode.
Bhasma-dhāraṇa is a classic external sign of Saguna Śiva worship—honoring Śiva as the Lord of the cremation ground and the transformer of all impermanence—often performed alongside Linga-pūjā and remembrance of Śiva’s auspicious form.
The verse points to bhasma-dhāraṇa (wearing sacred ash/Tripuṇḍra) undertaken with niyama—regular, reverent observance—along with devoted contemplation of Śiva as the inner goal.