मुक्तयतिदेहसंस्काररहस्यं — The Esoteric Rites for the Bodies of Liberated Ascetics
कौपीनादीनि संत्यज्य पुनरन्यानि धारयेत् । भस्मनोद्धूलयेत्तस्य सर्वांगं विधिना ततः
kaupīnādīni saṃtyajya punaranyāni dhārayet | bhasmanoddhūlayettasya sarvāṃgaṃ vidhinā tataḥ
Gác lại khố và các y phục cũ, rồi mặc y phục khác (tươi sạch). Sau đó, theo đúng nghi thức, rắc và xoa bhasma—tro thiêng—khắp toàn thân.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
It teaches ritual purity and Shaiva identity: changing into clean garments and applying bhasma signifies inner renunciation (vairāgya), remembrance of impermanence, and dedication to Pati (Shiva) as the liberating Lord.
Bhasma is a key Shaiva observance performed as preparation for Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-pūjā—marking the body as offered to Shiva and aligning the devotee with prescribed Śaiva rites.
A preparatory observance: discard soiled clothing, wear fresh cloth, and smear/dust the body with bhasma according to vidhi (often alongside Tripuṇḍra and mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī, ‘Om Namaḥ Śivāya’).