Shloka 3

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

भस्मसाद्विहितं सर्वं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् भस्मना वीर्यमास्थाय भूतानि परिषिञ्चति

Transliteration

bhasmasādvihitaṃ sarvaṃ pavitramidamuttamam bhasmanā vīryamāsthāya bhūtāni pariṣiñcati

Translation

Ang lahat ng ito—kapag itinalaga at ginawang banal na abo (bhasma)—ay nagiging pinakamataas na tagapaglinis. Taglay ang bisa ng bhasma, ang nagsasagawa ay nagbabanal sa lahat ng nilalang sa pamamagitan ng pagwisik o pagpapahid, sapagkat dala nito ang kapangyarihan ni Śiva bilang Pati na nagsusunog sa pāśa ng karumihan.

Word by Word

• भस्मसा(द्): into/as bhasma (sacred ash)

• विहितम्: ordained/established, duly prepared

• सर्वम्: all (things/acts)

• पवित्रम्: purifying, holy

• इदम्: this

• उत्तमम्: supreme, best

• भस्मना: by/with bhasma

• वीर्यम्: potency, sacred power

• आस्थाय: having assumed/embraced, taking refuge in

• भूतानि: beings/creatures/elements

• परिषिञ्चति: sprinkles upon, anoints, sanctifies

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It elevates bhasma (vibhuti) as a supreme purifier used in Shaiva practice—supporting Linga-puja by emphasizing anointing/sanctifying actions that align the worshipper with Śiva’s purifying power.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Śiva-tattva is implied through the “vīrya” (potency) carried by bhasma: the Lord as Pati empowers purification that burns away pasha (bondage) and restores the pashu (soul) toward śuddhi (purity).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Shaiva bhasma-dhāraṇa and bhasma-prokṣaṇa (applying/sprinkling sacred ash), a Pāśupata-oriented purification practice used to consecrate oneself and one’s surroundings for worship and inner discipline.