Shiva Purana — Vidyesvara Samhita, Shloka 58
बन्धमोक्षवर्णनम्
Bondage and Liberation: The Prakṛti–Karma Wheel and Śiva as the Transcendent Cause
लोकाग्निजमथो भस्मद्र व्यशुद्ध्यर्थमावहेत् । मृद्दारुलोहरूपाणां धान्यानां च तथैव च
lokāgnijamatho bhasmadra vyaśuddhyarthamāvahet | mṛddāruloharūpāṇāṃ dhānyānāṃ ca tathaiva ca
Pagkaraan, dapat kumuha ng abong nagmula sa banal na apoy ng tahanan, upang linisin at dalisayin ang mga sangkap na ginagamit sa pagsamba—yaong yari sa luwad, kahoy, at metal, gayundin ang mga butil at ani.
Suta Goswami (narrating the ritual teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, as per Purāṇic dialogue convention)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī’s ritual culture emphasizes śuddhi (purity/fitness) for liṅga-sevā; household-fire ash is treated as a pragmatic purifier for materials brought into worship.
Significance: Supports proper liṅga-upacāra; purity of dravya is framed as removing obstacles (mala/āvaraṇa) to effective worship.
FAQs
It teaches that bhasma (sacred ash) is not merely symbolic but a purifying śaiva sacramental substance, supporting purity of offerings and the devotee’s intention in Shiva-worship.
Linga-pūjā emphasizes śuddhi (purity) of upacāras and offerings; using ash from a sanctified fire aligns the worshipper’s materials with the sanctity of Saguna Shiva worship, where outer ritual supports inner devotion.
Procure and use sacred bhasma—especially from a proper fire—as a purifier for pūjā items (clay/wood/metal vessels and grains), a practice closely connected with Tripuṇḍra and śaiva daily observance.