The word bhasma means “that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered". ”Bha” implies Bhartsana (“to destroy”) and “sma” implies smaranam (“to remember”). The application of Bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called Vibhuti (“glory”) as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. It also reminds us that the body is perishable and shall one day be reduced to ashes. Ash is undecaying and stays in a form that cannot change. Thus it is a symbol of pure constant, beyond time and change. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death, but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide are under the dominion of lord who is eternal. Formless, yet, ever present. Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva, who applies it all over His body. Vibhuti or Bhasma is favourite of Shiva and that's why He is often called Vibhuti Bhushan (the one having ash as his ornament). Shiva devotees apply bhasma as a tripundra. Ash is what remains when all the wood is burnt away and it does not decay. Similarly, the Lord is imperishable Truth that remains when the entire creation of innumerable names and forms is dissolved by him ~ Boom Shankar!!
Friday 15 April 2016
The word bhasma means “that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered".
The word bhasma means “that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered". ”Bha” implies Bhartsana (“to destroy”) and “sma” implies smaranam (“to remember”). The application of Bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called Vibhuti (“glory”) as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. It also reminds us that the body is perishable and shall one day be reduced to ashes. Ash is undecaying and stays in a form that cannot change. Thus it is a symbol of pure constant, beyond time and change. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death, but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide are under the dominion of lord who is eternal. Formless, yet, ever present. Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva, who applies it all over His body. Vibhuti or Bhasma is favourite of Shiva and that's why He is often called Vibhuti Bhushan (the one having ash as his ornament). Shiva devotees apply bhasma as a tripundra. Ash is what remains when all the wood is burnt away and it does not decay. Similarly, the Lord is imperishable Truth that remains when the entire creation of innumerable names and forms is dissolved by him ~ Boom Shankar!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment