दीप्त्यर्थं तत्तु संग्राह्यं मन्यते पूज्यतेपि च । भस्मशब्दार्थ एवं हि शिवः पूर्वं तथाऽकरोत्
dīptyarthaṃ tattu saṃgrāhyaṃ manyate pūjyatepi ca | bhasmaśabdārtha evaṃ hi śivaḥ pūrvaṃ tathā'karot
Pinaniniwalaang ang bhasma na ito ay dapat tipunin para sa ningning na espirituwal, at itinuturing din itong karapat-dapat sambahin. Tunay, ito ang diwa ng salitang “bhasma”; at si Panginoong Śiva mismo ay gumawa nang ganito noong unang panahon.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
It teaches that bhasma (sacred ash) is not ordinary residue but a revered Shaiva sacramental substance kept for inner and outer “radiance” (dīpti), symbolizing purity, detachment, and Shiva-oriented consciousness.
Bhasma is treated as worship-worthy because it supports Saguna Shiva worship through visible Shaiva marks (like Tripuṇḍra) and prepares the devotee’s body-mind as a fit vessel for Linga-pūjā and remembrance of Shiva.
Collect and preserve sacred ash, honor it as a Shaiva aid to purity, and apply it as Tripuṇḍra while maintaining Shiva-smṛti (remembrance), especially in daily worship and Mahāśivarātri observances.