Question
Reason behind applying Vibuthi
Answer
The significance of Bhasma is well explained by Lord Shiva himself in the Linga Purana as follows:
Significance of Bhasma: Bhagavan Shiva further analysed the significance of Bhasma which was product of Agni Karyaas like daily homas and Yagnas; the burning of ‘Sthavara Jangamaas’ by Fire would result in Ash:
Bhasmattadvihitam Sarvam Pavitramidamuttamam,
Bhasmaanaa Veeryamaasyaaya Bhutaani parishanchati/
Agnikaaryam cha yah krutwaa karishyati triyaayusham,
Bhasmanaa mama veeryena muchyatey Sarva kilbishey/
Bhaasatey –tyeva yadbhasma shubham bhaavayatey cha yat,
Bhakshanaat Sarva ;paapaanaam bhasmeyti parikeertitam/
Ushmapaah Pitaro Jneyaa Devaa vai Somasambhavaah,
Agnishomaatmakam Sarvam Jagarsthaavara jangamam/
Ahamagnirmahaa tejaah Somaschaishaa Mahaambikaa,
Ahamagnischa Somascha Praktrutyaa Purushah Swayam/
Tasmaadbhasmam Mahaa Bhaagaa madveeryamiti chochyatey,
Swarveeryam vapushaa chaiva dhaarameeti vai sthitaya/
Tadaaprabhruti lokeshu rakshaarthamashubheshyucha/
Bhasmaanaa kriyatey raksha sutikaanaam gruheshucha/
Bhasmasnaana vishuddhaatmaa Jita Krodho Jitendriyah,
Matsameepam Samaagamya na bhuyo vinivartatey/
Vratam Pashupata yogam kapilam chaiva nirmitam,
Purvam Pashupatim hyetannirmitam tadanuttamam/
(Uttama Bhasma is produced by the scorching of the wood of trees and other materials of Nature. Shiva stated that by way of Bhasma, he carried his virility to human beings. Bhasma generated by Agni Karyaas while reciting the Mantras like ‘Triyaamshu’ is basically is the bye-product of Shiva’s ‘veerya’ and demolishes all kinds of Sins. This ‘bhasita’ or the radiant product emerges from Shiva’s Body and is responsible for the Bhakshana of Mahaa Paapaas and hence it is called Bhasma. Mahadeva futher explained that the word ‘Ushmapa’ or hot and burnt material is ‘Pitreeshwar’ or the material consumed by the Lord of Pitraas, while Devataas consume Amrita or Soma Rasa; Agni is of Soma Swarupa; Shiva is Agni and Soma rupi is Devi Ambika; Shiva is Purusha and Ambika is Prakruti. This is the reason why Bhasma is called Shiva’s veerya as his Veerya is generated from Shiva’s body. Thus Bhasma destroys Evil and Inauspiciousness / ‘Ashubha’ anywhere especially in households; any person taking a bath and applies Bhasma is stated to be eligible for performing the Sacred Paashupata Vrata Kapila Yoga and is assured of Bandha vimochana or the shackles of Samsara to Shiva Loka.
BTw,it should be noted that vibhuti is sacred to Shaivites,sandal paste is likewise to Vaishnabas and kumkumam to the Shaktas.
Significance of Bhasma & how to properly wear it is also described in the Devi Bhagavata Purana ;
Use of Bhasma ( ash), preferably by the Fire oblation performed by Brahmanas themselves or atleast by burnt remains of cow dung, is to be smeared on forehead , shoulders and chest is as important as wearing Rudrakshas. Soon after bath, the use of Bhasma mixed with water drops as three curved lines be applied first as two top lines by the middle finger and ring finger from left to right and then the lowest line by the thumb from right to left. The applications of bhasma is to be done thrice a day, before the Tri-Sandhya Gayatri Japas.
Then apply Bhasma as prescribed above. If Bhasma is not applied, Brahmanas are not entitled to perform ‘Sandhavandana’or Gayatri Japam. Contrarily, no sin could enter the body once Bhasma is applied as prescribed. This is why Brahmanas take care to apply the Tripundra by the use of the three fingers as the ring finger represents as A, the middle finger represents U and the fore finger represents M from the Pranava Mantra OAM. At the same time however, any person irrespective of caste could use ‘Vibhuti’ ( not the Bhasma as disinguished above ie. from Yajna fire or from dried cow dung burnt) and the application of vibhuti has far reaching beneficial impact
Devotees of Shiva hence apply three horizontal lines of Vibhutis and when conjoined with a red kumkumam dot at the centre it represnts the union of Shiva & Shakti which is the cause of everything in the manifested and unmanifested creation.
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