||Om Nama: Shivaya||

Chapter – 38 – Vindhyeshwara Samhitha – 24-1

Manasthokena  Manthrena Manthritham Bhasma Dharayeth | Bhramana: Kshathriyashchaiva Proktheshvangeshu Bhakthiman || Vaishya Thraimbakenaiva  Shudhra: Panchaksharena Thu| Anyasam Vidhava Sthreenam Vidhi: Prokthashcha Shudravath||

SuthaPauranika speaks “Oh! Ascetics, listen to me carefully, there are two types of sacred ashes/Bhasma, one is Mahabhasmam and another one is SvalpaSanjjakam.  The Mahabhasmam is the collection of all the ashes, known as Shrautha, Smartha, and Laukika likewise Svalpasanjjakam also has three types of Bhasma. The Shrautha and Smartha Bhasma is used by twice-born, Laukika Bhasma used by other Varnas. The Rishis and sages advised the twice-born to wear Bhasma with the recitation of  VedaManthra, rest of the Varnas can apply the Bhasma without reciting Manthras. Oh! Mahamune, the ashes are prepared by burning the cow-dung, it is called Agneya Bhasma, which is used for Thripundra. The ashes collected from the fire sacrifices or Yagna performed by the Agnihotri's are used for Thripundra. The sacred hymns/mantras from the Jabala Upanishad is recited, while mixing water in the ashes and applying the same as Thripundra. The illustrious Sage Jabala explained the method of smearing ashes on the body and application of Thripundra reciting hymns or without it.  The Veda strongly recommends a Moksharththi should adore Thripundra or Urdhdhvapundra, and it is highly praised by Goddess Uma and Goddess Lakshmi as well. The application of Thripundra is recommended for all the Varnas, the people who do not adore Thripundra or smear Bhasma on their body are considered as an outcast. The person who has not smeared the ashes with sincere devotion cannot elevate his/her soul even after several crores of births; they remain ignorant not knowing the belief and faith of Lord Shiva for several cores of births.  The scriptures say that the one who is not smeared in ashes would always be surrounded by the sins, any spiritual or religious deed performed without applying Thripundra will not bestow its results, instead, it would bring opposite results. Oh! Mune, smearing the ashes with intense faith and devotion would remove sin and evil eyes. The smearing of Shivagni Janitha Bhasma would remove all the sins, whoever smeared in Thripundra thrice a day with the white ashes, would get relieved from all the sins and remains blissful always.  The person who is smeared in white ashes on the forehead would remain in the abode of Lord with the Ganas, after his death. The recitation of Shadakshramanthra is performed after the bath.  Anyone can apply ashes on their body, even the wicked, degraded, sinful, dull, people living in a foreign land, are permissible to smear ashes as Thripundra, and after smearing ashes recitation can be conducted, it is considered that as all the Threethas/sacred places and Veda resides in their bodies. The person who is adorned in Thripundra with intense devotion and faith would become honorable by human, Dhanavas, and deities, all his/her sins would get destroyed instantly with the application of Thripundra.  All the sacred rivers dwell in the body of the person who is adorned in Thripundra, the devotee attains highest of the spiritual knowledge and the eternal presence of supreme Lord Shiva as well.  Oh! Munisaththama, I shall describe them briefly, a learned person should adore Thripundra, conduct worship of Linga and recite Kshadakshara.  The glory of smearing sacred ashes on the body is indescribable even to Lord Bhrama, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rudra and illustrious Sages.  Oh! Mune, if a person forced to discontinue the spiritual and religious rites, later adores Thripundra would get relieved from all those sins of not performing the rites.  The person who performs various religious and spiritual rites without smearing ashes on their forehead cannot attain redemption in crores of their births. A twice-born adorned in Thripundra is considered as learned and performer of all the religious rites.  Whoever punishes or disgraces a person who is smeared in Thripundra would be born as Chandala. A Bhraman should smear the ashes on the forehead followed with the recitation of Manasthoka, Vaishya with the recitation of Thrayambaka, and  Shudra, widow, and females should adore the sacred ashes with the recitation of ‘Panchakshara’. According to Manusmrithi, a house-holder/Grihastha is  allowed to recite Panchabhrama after applying the sacred ashes, a Bhramachari is allowed to recite ‘Panchakshara’ while applying sacred ashes, a Vanaprastha applies  sacred ashes after reciting Aghora Manthra, Yathis/ascetic apply sacred ashes after reciting ‘Omkara’/Pranava.  The one who has grown beyond traditions of Varna and Ashrama should apply ashes with the utterance of ‘Shivoham’/I am Shiva, a Shivayogi applies the sacred ashes with the utterance of Eshana Manthra. Oh! Asectics, I have described the methods of smearing sacred ashes for all the Varnas, and some Jeevas smears ashes at the command of the supreme Lord Shiva.  The Yogis smearing sacred ashes all over the body are considered as bearing Shivalinga equal to those dust particles of the ashes on their body.”