संन्यासाचारवर्णनम्
Description of the Conduct and Daily Discipline of Saṃnyāsa
आबध्याद्वामतः शुद्धं कौपीनं च सडोरकम् । ततः संधारयेद्भस्म तद्विधिः प्रोच्यतेऽद्रिजे
ābadhyādvāmataḥ śuddhaṃ kaupīnaṃ ca saḍorakam | tataḥ saṃdhārayedbhasma tadvidhiḥ procyate'drije
«Que ele, do lado esquerdo, amarre firmemente o kaupīna puro juntamente com o seu cordão de cintura. Depois, que aplique e porte corretamente o bhasma, a cinza sagrada. Ó Filha da Montanha (Adrije), esta é a regra prescrita que está sendo ensinada.»
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Significance: Bhasma-dhāraṇa is taught as a distinctive Śaiva marker of purity, renunciation, and Śiva-sambandha; it signifies turning the body into a ‘field’ for Śiva’s grace and protection.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
It links outer discipline to inner purity: the simple, pure garment and the bearing of bhasma signify detachment from ego and impermanence, preparing the seeker to remember Pati (Shiva) and move toward liberation.
Bhasma-dhāraṇa is a standard Shaiva mark of devotion and readiness for pūjā; by adopting the prescribed purity and ash, the devotee approaches Saguna Shiva—especially the Linga—with a consecrated body and focused mind.
It suggests a preparatory observance: wear a clean kaupīna/waist-cloth properly, then apply and maintain bhasma (often as Tripuṇḍra) as part of daily Shaiva practice alongside mantra-japa and worship.