Holy Ash - Some Information
Lord kAlAgni rudra teaches bhusu.ndi - earth came out of the sadyojAta face of
the Lord. From this came the gray colored cow called nanda from the dung of
which came vibhUti. From the vAmadeva face came the water, from that came the
black colored cow bhadra giving bhasita. From the aghora face came the fire,
from that the copper colored cow surabhi giving bhasma. From the tatpuruSha
face came the gas/air, from which came shAnti and from that came the white
colored cow sushIle giving xAra. From the IshAna face came the space, from
which came the multi colored cow sumanA giving raksha.
The Holy Ash which is called by five names, when pronunced raises the spiritual
power of the individual and hence is called vibhUti. Since it burns the sins to
ashes it is called bhasita. Since it gives the wisdom to all it is called
bhasmam. Since it neutralises the bad things it is called xAra. Since it
protects the people from evil forces, it is called raxa.
Irrespective of caste, creed, sex and all other differences all the people
shall wear the Holy Ash. It is an old adage the says the forehead without the
ash is a ruined one. The Holy Ash having the powers of agni and soma refreshes
the one who wears it. For the seekers of yoga this Holy Ash kindles the spirit
and provides early fruit. When wearing the Holy Ash the mantra shivAya
namaH(The Holy Five Letters(1)) is chanted or the sadyojAtAdi paJNcha brahma
mantra(2) or the tryambakaM or mAno mahAntam from rudra sUktam(3).
The Holy Ash purifies the one who wears it. This purification (bath) is called
Agneya snAna. In this the renouced ones would smear the ash in the remains of
ritual fire from the leg to the head. Others would smear in the ash from the
head to the leg.
ska.ndha purANam says that the Holy Ash would have to be worn at the following
fifteen places in the body.
a.. Head
b.. Forehead
c.. Neck
d.. Chest
e.. Both sides of the belly
f.. Two arms
g.. Two Ankles
h.. Two wrists
i.. Two sides of the back
j.. Behind the neck
