Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 94
पाशुपतव्रतविधिः | The Procedure of the Supreme Pāśupata Vow
भूतप्रेतपिशासाश्च रोगाश्चातीव दुस्सहाः । भस्मनिष्ठस्य सान्निध्याद्विद्रवंति न संशयः
bhūtapretapiśāsāśca rogāścātīva dussahāḥ | bhasmaniṣṭhasya sānnidhyādvidravaṃti na saṃśayaḥ
भूत, प्रेत, पिशाच आणि अत्यंत दु:सह रोगही—जो भस्मनिष्ठ आहे, त्याच्या सान्निध्यमात्राने पळून जातात; यात संशय नाही.
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa is presented as an apotropaic (rakṣā) Śaiva mark: proximity to a bhasma-niṣṭha devotee repels bhūta/preta/piśāca and severe roga—framing ash as a portable ‘tīrtha’ of Śiva’s purity and protection rather than a site-specific merit.
FAQs
It teaches that steadfast devotion expressed through bhasma (a Shaiva mark of surrender and purity) establishes a protective spiritual field, dissolving fear, negativity, and afflictive forces by Shiva’s grace.
Bhasma is traditionally received from Shiva worship (including Linga-pūjā) and worn as a sign of belonging to Shiva; the verse implies that closeness to such a devotee reflects the sanctity of Saguna Shiva’s worship and its tangible protective effect.
Maintain bhasma-niṣṭhā: reverently apply sacred ash (tripuṇḍra) with Shiva-remembrance/mantra and live with disciplined devotion, so that the mind stays aligned with Shiva and fear-based disturbances subside.