The word Bhasma means that by which the sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered’.

The word Bhasma means that by which the sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered’. Bhasma application signifies the destruction of evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called Vibhuti which means ‘glory’, as it glorifies the one who applies it. Homa offerings into a consecrated fire with sacred chants intends the surrender of ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of mind. Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. The application of ash also reminds us that the body is perishable and shall one day be reduced to ashes. We should therefore not get too much attached to it.

Bhasma is also known as Tryayush as there is a famous legend attached to it. It is believed that all Gods and sages were going to see Shri Vishnu and got struck in the forest fire. As a result, they got burnt and remained in the form of ash. Thereafter Virabhadra came and Agni tried to burn him as well. Virabhadra swallowed the foregoing flame and sprinkled some ash on the Gods by chanting holy mantras. All the gods became alive.

Unfortunatelya snake, for a second time, swallowed all the Gods. But again Virabhadra made them alive by sprinkling Bhasma. Finally when a demon swallowed all the Gods and sages, Virabhadra sprinkled ash on them and made them alive for the third time. As a result it was named Tryayush, meaning the one which gives life for three times.

As per another legend, once sage Durvasa was going to heaven. On his way he saw Kubhipaka hell, the dwelling for the people suffering from the sorrows of the hell. Out of curiosity he peeped in that hell. At the same time, some Bhasma from his body fell on those people and surprisingly they became free form sorrows of hell. Everybody was so amazed and asked Lord Shiva the reason of this miracle. Lord Shiva thereafter narrated the importance and holiness of Bhasma to everybody. ✨🕉✨📿✨🕉✨