Shloka 16

Adhyaya 34: भस्ममहात्म्यं—अग्नीषोमात्मक-शिवतत्त्वं तथा पाशुपतव्रतप्रशंसा

Devanagari script

भस्मस्नानेन दिग्धाङ्गो ध्यायते मनसा भवम् यद्यकार्यसहस्राणि कृत्वा यः स्नाति भस्मना

Transliteration

bhasmasnānena digdhāṅgo dhyāyate manasā bhavam yadyakāryasahasrāṇi kṛtvā yaḥ snāti bhasmanā

Translation

以圣灰（bhasma）沐浴，遍身涂抹，当于心中观念婆伐（Bhava，湿婆）；纵使曾作千般不当之行，能以圣灰沐浴者亦得净化。

Word by Word

• bhasma-snānena: by bathing with sacred ash (bhasma)

• digdha-aṅgaḥ: whose limbs/body are smeared (with it)

• dhyāyate: meditates/should meditate

• manasā: with the mind

• bhavam: Bhava, Lord Śiva as Pati

• yadi: even if/although

• akārya-sahasrāṇi: thousands of improper/forbidden deeds

• kṛtvā: having done/committed

• yaḥ: whoever

• snāti: bathes/purifies oneself

• bhasmanā: with bhasma (holy ash)

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating Shaiva observances to the sages of Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames bhasma-snāna (holy-ash bathing) and Bhava-dhyāna (Śiva contemplation) as core preparatory disciplines for Linga-pūjā, emphasizing purification of the pashu (individual soul) before approaching Pati (Śiva).

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

Śiva is invoked as “Bhava,” the transforming Lord (Pati) who purifies and reorients the bound soul from pāśa (bondage of wrongdoing and impurity) toward śuddhi and God-centered awareness through remembrance and devotion.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Bhasma-snāna combined with mānasa-dhyāna of Śiva—an outer rite paired with inner yoga—reflecting a Pāśupata-style discipline where bodily markings and mental absorption work together to loosen pāśa.