Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
शिशुकस्य शिवशास्त्रप्राप्तिः (Śiśuka’s Attainment of Śaiva Teaching and Grace)
भस्मेदन्तु मया लब्धं पितुरेव तवोत्तमम् । विरजानलसंसिद्धं महाव्यापन्निवारणम्
bhasmedantu mayā labdhaṃ pitureva tavottamam | virajānalasaṃsiddhaṃ mahāvyāpannivāraṇam
“Namun bhasma (abu suci) ini telah aku peroleh—sungguh paling utama, bahkan daripada ayahmu sendiri. Disempurnakan dalam api yang bebas daripada nafsu dan kekotoran, ia penyingkir besar segala bala dan kesusahan.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Bhasma (vibhūti) signifies Śiva’s transcendence over rajas and the burning of impurities; used as rakṣā against calamity and as reminder of impermanence.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse praises Shiva’s sacred ash (bhasma/vibhūti) as a purifier born of “viraja” fire—symbolizing the burning of rajas (passion) and mala (impurity). In a Shaiva Siddhanta sense, it points to inner purification and protection as one aligns the self (paśu) toward Shiva (Pati).
Bhasma is a key Shaiva mark used in Saguna worship—especially in Linga-puja—signifying devotion, consecration, and remembrance that all forms return to ash, while Shiva alone is the eternal ground. Applying bhasma complements external worship with inner detachment.
It suggests reverent use of consecrated Bhasma—commonly applied as Tripuṇḍra—while cultivating “viraja” (freedom from passion) through mantra-japa and steady devotion, seeking protection from adversity and purification of mind.