Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 59
अग्निकार्य-होमविधिः
Agnikārya and Homa Procedure
न संस्पृशेच्च नीचांगैर्नोपेक्षेत न लंघयेत् । तस्माद्भसितमादाय विनियुंजीत मन्त्रतः
na saṃspṛśecca nīcāṃgairnopekṣeta na laṃghayet | tasmādbhasitamādāya viniyuṃjīta mantrataḥ
Não se deve permitir que a bhasma seja tocada por membros impuros, nem tratá-la com negligência, nem transgredir a sua santidade. Portanto, tomando a bhasma, deve-se aplicá-la e utilizá-la somente conforme o mantra, com reverência ritual.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Type: panchakshara
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that bhasma is not ordinary ash but a sanctified Shaiva sacramental (prasāda-like) aid to sādhana; honoring it with purity and mantra cultivates reverence, discipline, and God-centered awareness—supporting the Siddhānta path where right conduct and right worship purify the pashu (bound soul) toward Shiva.
Bhasma is a visible Shaiva mark (often as Tripuṇḍra) that outwardly expresses inner refuge in Saguna Shiva and Linga-worship; applying it with mantra aligns the devotee’s body and mind as instruments of pūjā, making daily life an extension of Linga-sevā.
Apply bhasma reverently—avoiding impurity and disrespect—and use it with prescribed mantras (commonly alongside Panchākṣarī/“Om Namaḥ Śivāya” in Shaiva practice), treating the act as a mindful rite rather than a casual gesture.