AdiYogi Shiva, MahaYogi Shambhu, father of tantra, is usually depicted naked in sadhana, his whole body covered in bhasma.

AdiYogi Shiva, MahaYogi Shambhu, father of tantra, is usually depicted naked in sadhana, his whole body covered in bhasma. The first verse of the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram gives the following description ~ Naagendrahaaraaya trilochanaaya, bhasmaangaraagaaya maheshwaraaya. Nityaaya shuddhaaya digambaraaya ~ ‘Salutations to the mighty three eyed Shiva, eternal and pure, wearing the king of snakes as his garland, naked and besmeared with sacred ash.’ Some other names given to Lord Shiva are Bhasmashayaaya, abode of bhasma and Bhasmabhootaaya, covered with bhasma. ‪Covering the body with ash is considered to be an auspicious act for discovering one’s Shiva nature. Shiva is said to be responsible for mahapralaya, the dissolution of the universe at the end of each kalpa. At this time he dances his tandava nritya, the dance of destruction. Bhasma literally means ‘disintegration’. Bha implies bhartsanam, to destroy. while Sma implies smaranam, to remember. Bhasma is thus a reminder that body is perishable which one day will be reduced to ashes. Also, if we wish to unite with God and remember him constantly, our ego or ‘little self’ has first to be disintegrated or burnt to ashes. Bhasma is a symbol of this process. It is also called Raksha because it protects one from all fears. When applied to the forehead before sleep, it is said to keep away spirits or ghosts, whether external or those which manifest from the depths of the mind in the form of nightmares. Bhasma is called Vibhuti, which means ‘glory’, as it gives glory to one who applies it, protection from ill health and negative forces, and attracts the higher forces of nature. Another meaning of vibhooti is ‘healing power’, and it is widely used as a medicinal treatment in both Ayurveda and Chinese and Tibetan medicine. It is believed that bhasma destroys sins. It is called ‘bhasma’ because it has the power to consume all evils.