The Origin of Sacred Ash: Sadashiva's Three Sons and the Rite of Preparing Bhasma

Verse 1 (padma.5.108.1)

श्रीराम उवाच- भस्मोत्पत्तिं महाभाग भस्ममाहात्म्यमेव च । भस्मसंधारणे पुण्यं भस्मदाने च तद्वद

śrīrāma uvāca- bhasmotpattiṁ mahābhāga bhasmamāhātmyameva ca bhasmasaṁdhāraṇe puṇyaṁ bhasmadāne ca tadvada

Shri Rama said: O greatly fortunate one, tell me the origin of ash, and the greatness of ash; the merit in wearing ash, and likewise in giving ash.

Verse 2 (padma.5.108.2)

शंभुरुवाच- भस्मोत्पत्तिं प्रवक्ष्यामि सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम् । स्मरणात्कीर्तनाद्राम तां शृणुष्व नराधिप

śaṁbhuruvāca- bhasmotpattiṁ pravakṣyāmi sarvapāpapraṇāśinīm smaraṇātkīrtanādrāma tāṁ śṛṇuṣva narādhipa

Shambhu said: I shall tell the origin of ash, destroyer of all sin merely through its remembrance or recitation, O Rama; hear it, O lord of men.

Verse 3 (padma.5.108.3)

य एकः शाश्वतो देवो ब्रह्मवंद्यः सदाशिवः । त्रिलोचनो गुणाधारो गुणातीतोऽक्षरोव्ययः

ya ekaḥ śāśvato devo brahmavaṁdyaḥ sadāśivaḥ trilocano guṇādhāro guṇātīto'kṣarovyayaḥ

That one eternal god, revered even by Brahma, Sadashiva — three-eyed, the very support of the gunas, yet beyond the gunas, imperishable and immutable—

Verse 4 (padma.5.108.4)

सिसृक्षा तस्य जाताथ वीक्ष्यात्मस्थं गुणत्रयम् । वेदत्रयमिदं ज्ञेयं गुणत्रयमिदं हि यत्

sisṛkṣā tasya jātātha vīkṣyātmasthaṁ guṇatrayam vedatrayamidaṁ jñeyaṁ guṇatrayamidaṁ hi yat

—the desire to create arose in him; beholding within himself the three gunas, this triad of gunas should be known as this very triad of the Vedas.

Verse 5 (padma.5.108.5)

पृथक्कृत्वात्मनस्तात तत्रस्थानं विभज्य च । दक्षिणांगेसृजत्पुत्रं ब्रह्माणं वामतो हरिम्

pṛthakkṛtvātmanastāta tatrasthānaṁ vibhajya ca dakṣiṇāṁgesṛjatputraṁ brahmāṇaṁ vāmato harim

Separating them from himself, O son, and dividing their place — on his right side he created his son Brahma, on his left, Hari—

Verse 6 (padma.5.108.6)

पृष्ठदेशे महेशानं त्रीन्पुत्रानसृजद्विभुः । जातमात्रास्त्रयो देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः

pṛṣṭhadeśe maheśānaṁ trīnputrānasṛjadvibhuḥ jātamātrāstrayo devā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ

—and on his back, Mahesha; thus the mighty one created three sons. As soon as they were born, the three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—

Verse 7 (padma.5.108.7)

इदमूचुर्वचः स्पष्टं को भवान्के वयंत्विति । तानाह च शिवः पुत्रान्यूयं पुत्रा अहं पिता

idamūcurvacaḥ spaṣṭaṁ ko bhavānke vayaṁtviti tānāha ca śivaḥ putrānyūyaṁ putrā ahaṁ pitā

—spoke this clear question: "Who are you, and who are we?" And Shiva said to those sons: "You are my sons, and I am your father."

Verse 8 (padma.5.108.8)

इदं गुणत्रयं पुत्रा भजध्वं कर्महेतुकम् । पुत्रा ऊचुः - कं वा गुणं को भजतां कियंतं कालमीश्वर

idaṁ guṇatrayaṁ putrā bhajadhvaṁ karmahetukam putrā ūcuḥ - kaṁ vā guṇaṁ ko bhajatāṁ kiyaṁtaṁ kālamīśvara

"This triad of gunas, my sons, take up, as the very cause of action." The sons said: "Which of us should take which guna, O Lord, and for how long?"

Verse 9 (padma.5.108.9)

कथं गुणनिवृत्तिश्च भवेदेतद्वदस्व नः । शिव उवाच- यावज्ज्ञानं हि भवतां यावदायुरथापि वा

kathaṁ guṇanivṛttiśca bhavedetadvadasva naḥ śiva uvāca- yāvajjñānaṁ hi bhavatāṁ yāvadāyurathāpi vā

"And how shall the cessation of the guna come about? Tell us this." Shiva said: "For as long as your knowledge, or as long as your very lifespan—"

Verse 10 (padma.5.108.10)

धारणं तावदेवस्यादेकैकस्य गुणस्य च । सत्वं ब्रह्मा रजोविष्णुर्भजेन्महेश्वरस्तमः

dhāraṇaṁ tāvadevasyādekaikasya guṇasya ca satvaṁ brahmā rajoviṣṇurbhajenmaheśvarastamaḥ

"—for that long shall be the holding of each single guna. Let Brahma take sattva, Vishnu take rajas, and Maheshvara take tamas."

Verse 11 (padma.5.108.11)

इत्युक्तमात्रे देवेशे ब्रह्मा सत्वमथाग्रहीत् । न च चालयितुं शक्तो धारणे किमु शक्तिमान्

ityuktamātre deveśe brahmā satvamathāgrahīt na ca cālayituṁ śakto dhāraṇe kimu śaktimān

As soon as the Lord of gods had spoken, Brahma took up sattva; but he was unable even to stir it, let alone hold it with strength.

Verse 12 (padma.5.108.12)

तं गुणं तु तिरस्कृत्य रजोगुणमथाग्रहीत् । न च चालयितुं शक्तो जग्राहाथ तमोगुणम्

taṁ guṇaṁ tu tiraskṛtya rajoguṇamathāgrahīt na ca cālayituṁ śakto jagrāhātha tamoguṇam

Setting aside that guna, he then took up the quality of rajas; unable to move even that, he then took up the quality of tamas.

Verse 13 (padma.5.108.13)

न च चालयितुं शक्तो निपपात रुरोद च । विष्णुश्च वामहस्तेन रजोगुणमधारयत्

na ca cālayituṁ śakto nipapāta ruroda ca viṣṇuśca vāmahastena rajoguṇamadhārayat

Unable to move even that, he fell down and wept. And Vishnu held the guna of rajas in his left hand—

Verse 14 (padma.5.108.14)

अंगुलीभ्यां महेशोऽपि तमोगुणमधारयत् । सत्वमेकोंगुलीभ्यां च सत्वं विष्णुमथादधात्

aṁgulībhyāṁ maheśo'pi tamoguṇamadhārayat satvamekoṁgulībhyāṁ ca satvaṁ viṣṇumathādadhāt

—Mahesha too held the guna of tamas with his fingers, and sattva with a single finger; and Vishnu then bore sattva as well—

Verse 15 (padma.5.108.15)

ब्रह्माणं पादपीठे च दधार च ननर्त च

brahmāṇaṁ pādapīṭhe ca dadhāra ca nanarta ca

—and bore Brahma upon his footstool, and danced.

Verse 16 (padma.5.108.16)

नृत्यंतमत्यंतविलासरूपं गोक्षीररूपं तरुणं त्रिनेत्रम् । सर्वं दधानं कृतकौतुकं शिवं समीक्ष्य पुत्रान्वरदो बभाषे

nṛtyaṁtamatyaṁtavilāsarūpaṁ gokṣīrarūpaṁ taruṇaṁ trinetram sarvaṁ dadhānaṁ kṛtakautukaṁ śivaṁ samīkṣya putrānvarado babhāṣe

Beholding him thus dancing, of a most graceful form, radiant as cow's milk, youthful, three-eyed, bearing all of it, playful — Shiva, the boon-giver, spoke to his sons.

Verse 17 (padma.5.108.17)

शिव उवाच- प्रीतोऽस्मि तव पुत्राहं वरं वृणु यथेप्सितम् । अथाह पितरं पुत्रो वरमेनं ददस्व मे

śiva uvāca- prīto'smi tava putrāhaṁ varaṁ vṛṇu yathepsitam athāha pitaraṁ putro varamenaṁ dadasva me

Shiva said: "I am pleased with you, my son; ask for whatever boon you desire." Then the son said to his father: "Grant me this boon—"

Verse 18 (padma.5.108.18)

मामुद्दिश्य कृता पूजा तव पूजा भवेच्छिव । तिष्ठेर्मयि सदा त्वं च त्वमेवाहं च वाव्ययः

māmuddiśya kṛtā pūjā tava pūjā bhavecchiva tiṣṭhermayi sadā tvaṁ ca tvamevāhaṁ ca vāvyayaḥ

"—that worship offered to me become worship of you, O Shiva; and that you dwell in me forever, you being myself, and I, imperishable, being you."

Verse 19 (padma.5.108.19)

शिव उवाच- एवमेतन्महाभाग भविष्यति न संशयः । रक्तगौराविमौ पुत्रौ ब्रह्मविष्णू ममैव तु

śiva uvāca- evametanmahābhāga bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ raktagaurāvimau putrau brahmaviṣṇū mamaiva tu

Shiva said: "So it shall be, O greatly fortunate one, without doubt. These two sons, red and fair — Brahma and Vishnu — are indeed my own—"

Verse 20 (padma.5.108.20)

बाहुमूलस्थरोमौ च ममाकारौ तथानघौ । अथ ब्रह्माणमाहेदं भजत्वेकं गुणं भवान्

bāhumūlastharomau ca mamākārau tathānaghau atha brahmāṇamāhedaṁ bhajatvekaṁ guṇaṁ bhavān

"—the hairs at the root of my very arm, O sinless ones, of my very form." Then he said this to Brahma: "You take up one guna."

Verse 21 (padma.5.108.21)

ब्रह्मोवाच- त्वन्निर्दिष्टं गुणमहं धर्तुं शक्तो न हीश्वर । धारयिष्ये रजो देव सत्वं भजतु वै हरिः

brahmovāca- tvannirdiṣṭaṁ guṇamahaṁ dhartuṁ śakto na hīśvara dhārayiṣye rajo deva satvaṁ bhajatu vai hariḥ

Brahma said: "The guna you assigned to me, O Lord, I am indeed unable to hold; I shall hold rajas instead, O god — let Hari take up sattva."

Verse 22 (padma.5.108.22)

अवशिष्टं गुणं चायमीश्वरो धारयिष्यति । शंभुरुवाच- गुणानादायते देवा नशेकुर्नित्यधारणम्

avaśiṣṭaṁ guṇaṁ cāyamīśvaro dhārayiṣyati śaṁbhuruvāca- guṇānādāyate devā naśekurnityadhāraṇam

"And this remaining guna, let the Lord hold." Shambhu said: Having thus taken up the gunas, the gods were unable to hold them permanently—

Verse 23 (padma.5.108.23)

कर्तुं भरणशक्त्यर्थं शिवमित्यवदत्पुनः । गुणान्वयं सर्वकालं न च धारयितुं क्षमाः

kartuṁ bharaṇaśaktyarthaṁ śivamityavadatpunaḥ guṇānvayaṁ sarvakālaṁ na ca dhārayituṁ kṣamāḥ

—and, for the power to sustain them, they said to Shiva again: "We are not capable of holding these gunas at all times—"

Verse 24 (padma.5.108.24)

दीयतां भगवञ्छक्तिर्यदि भोस्त्वं वरप्रदः । अथ तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शिवो वाक्यमभाषत

dīyatāṁ bhagavañchaktiryadi bhostvaṁ varapradaḥ atha tadvacanaṁ śrutvā śivo vākyamabhāṣata

"—O blessed one, grant us the power, if you indeed are a boon-giver." Then, hearing that word, Shiva spoke this word.

Verse 25 (padma.5.108.25)

शिव उवाच- विद्याशक्तिः समस्तानां शक्तिरित्यभिधीयते । गुणत्रयाश्रया विद्या अविद्या च तदाश्रया

śiva uvāca- vidyāśaktiḥ samastānāṁ śaktirityabhidhīyate guṇatrayāśrayā vidyā avidyā ca tadāśrayā

Shiva said: "The power of knowledge is called the power of all beings. Knowledge rests upon the three gunas, and ignorance too rests upon them."

Verse 26 (padma.5.108.26)

गुणत्रयं च दग्ध्वैव तत्सारं धर्तुमर्हथ । यच्च किंचिद्भवेत्तत्र भवद्भिर्ध्रियतां हि तत्

guṇatrayaṁ ca dagdhvaiva tatsāraṁ dhartumarhatha yacca kiṁcidbhavettatra bhavadbhirdhriyatāṁ hi tat

"Having burnt away the three gunas themselves, you are fit to hold their very essence; whatever remains of them, let that indeed be held by you."

Verse 27 (padma.5.108.27)

अथाहुस्तत्सुता वाक्यं न दाहो ज्वलनं विना । शिवः प्राह महेशस्य लोचने वह्निरस्ति वै

athāhustatsutā vākyaṁ na dāho jvalanaṁ vinā śivaḥ prāha maheśasya locane vahnirasti vai

Then those sons said this word: "There can be no burning without fire." Shiva said: "Fire indeed exists in the eye of Mahesha."

Verse 28 (padma.5.108.28)

गुणत्रयमिदं धेनुर्विद्या स्याद्गोमयं शुभम् । मूत्रं चोपनिषत्प्रोक्तं कुर्याद्भस्म ततः परम्

guṇatrayamidaṁ dhenurvidyā syādgomayaṁ śubham mūtraṁ copaniṣatproktaṁ kuryādbhasma tataḥ param

"This triad of gunas is symbolized by the cow; knowledge is auspicious cow-dung; and the urine is declared to be the Upanishad — from that, ash should be made."

Verse 29 (padma.5.108.29)

वत्सास्तु स्मृतयो यस्यास्तत्संभूतं तु गोमयम् । आगाव इति मंत्रेण धेनुं तत्राभिमंत्रयेत्

vatsāstu smṛtayo yasyāstatsaṁbhūtaṁ tu gomayam āgāva iti maṁtreṇa dhenuṁ tatrābhimaṁtrayet

"The calves of that cow are the Smritis; the dung born of her should be gathered. One should consecrate the cow there with the mantra beginning 'Agavo.'"

Verse 30 (padma.5.108.30)

गावो गावो गाव इति प्राशयेत्तु तृणं जलम् । उपोष्य च चतुर्द्दश्यां शुक्ले कृष्णेऽथवा व्रती

gāvo gāvo gāva iti prāśayettu tṛṇaṁ jalam upoṣya ca caturddaśyāṁ śukle kṛṣṇe'thavā vratī

"With the words 'cows, cows, cows,' one should feed her grass and water. Fasting on the fourteenth day, of either the bright or the dark fortnight, keeping the vow—"

Verse 31 (padma.5.108.31)

परेद्युः प्रातरुत्थाय शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः । कृतस्नानो धौतवस्त्रो गोमयार्थं व्रजेत्तु गाम्

paredyuḥ prātarutthāya śucirbhūtvā samāhitaḥ kṛtasnāno dhautavastro gomayārthaṁ vrajettu gām

"—the next day, rising at dawn, having become pure and composed, having bathed and put on washed garments, one should go to the cow to obtain her dung."

Verse 32 (padma.5.108.32)

उत्थाप्य तां प्रयत्नेन गायत्र्या मूत्रमाहरेत् । सौवर्णे राजते ताम्रे धारयेन्मृन्मये घटे

utthāpya tāṁ prayatnena gāyatryā mūtramāharet sauvarṇe rājate tāmre dhārayenmṛnmaye ghaṭe

"Having roused her diligently, one should collect her urine with the Gayatri mantra, and hold it in a vessel of gold, silver, copper, or clay."

Verse 33 (padma.5.108.33)

पौष्करे वा पलाशे वा पात्रे गोशृंग एव वा । आदधीत हि गोमूत्रं गंधद्वारेति गोमयम्

pauṣkare vā palāśe vā pātre gośṛṁga eva vā ādadhīta hi gomūtraṁ gaṁdhadvāreti gomayam

"—or in a vessel of lotus-leaf, or of palasha-leaf, or even in a cow's horn. The cow's urine should be gathered thus; and, with the mantra 'gandhadvara,' the cow-dung should be gathered."

Verse 34 (padma.5.108.34)

अभूमिपातं गृह्णीयात्पात्रे पूर्वोदितेऽधिके । गोमयं शोधयेद्विद्वाञ्छ्रीर्मे भजतु मंत्रतः

abhūmipātaṁ gṛhṇīyātpātre pūrvodite'dhike gomayaṁ śodhayedvidvāñchrīrme bhajatu maṁtrataḥ

"One should take it without letting it touch the ground, into the vessel described above, or a larger one. The learned man should purify the dung with the mantra 'shrir me bhajatu.'"

Verse 35 (padma.5.108.35)

अलक्ष्मीर्मयीति मंत्रेण गोमयस्यापमार्जनम् । सं त्वा सिंचामि मंत्रेण गोमूत्रं गोमये क्षिपेत्

alakṣmīrmayīti maṁtreṇa gomayasyāpamārjanam saṁ tvā siṁcāmi maṁtreṇa gomūtraṁ gomaye kṣipet

"With the mantra 'alakshmir mayi,' the wiping-away of misfortune from the dung is performed. With the mantra 'sam tva sinchami,' one should sprinkle the cow's urine onto the dung."

Verse 36 (padma.5.108.36)

पंचानां त्वेति मंत्रेण पिंडांश्चैव चतुर्द्दश । कुर्यात्संशोष्य किरणैस्तरणेराहरेत्तु तान्

paṁcānāṁ tveti maṁtreṇa piṁḍāṁścaiva caturddaśa kuryātsaṁśoṣya kiraṇaistaraṇerāharettu tān

"With the mantra 'panchanam tva,' one should form fourteen small cakes; having dried them in the rays of the sun, one should gather them."

Verse 37 (padma.5.108.37)

निदध्यादथ पूर्वोक्तपात्रे गोमयपिंडकान् । स्वगृह्योक्तविधानेन प्रतिष्ठाप्याग्निमिंधयेत्

nidadhyādatha pūrvoktapātre gomayapiṁḍakān svagṛhyoktavidhānena pratiṣṭhāpyāgnimiṁdhayet

"One should then place those cow-dung cakes in the vessel described earlier. According to the rule declared in one's own domestic ritual text, having duly established the fire, one should kindle it."

Verse 38 (padma.5.108.38)

पिंडान्विनिक्षिपेत्तत्तदर्णदेवाय पिंडकान् । आघारावाज्यभागौ च प्रक्षिप्य द्वौ हुनेत्सुधीः

piṁḍānvinikṣipettattadarṇadevāya piṁḍakān āghārāvājyabhāgau ca prakṣipya dvau hunetsudhīḥ

"One should cast the cakes, offering each cake to its respective deity of the sacred syllable; having offered the two Aghara-oblations and the two ghee-portions, the wise man should make the fire-offering."

Verse 39 (padma.5.108.39)

ततो निधनपतये त्रयोदशजयादयः । होतव्याः पंचब्रह्माणि नमो हिरण्यबाहवे

tato nidhanapataye trayodaśajayādayaḥ hotavyāḥ paṁcabrahmāṇi namo hiraṇyabāhave

"Then, oblations should be offered to the Lord of Destruction, and the thirteen mantras beginning with 'Jaya'; and the five Brahma-mantras, and 'homage to the golden-armed one.'"

Verse 40 (padma.5.108.40)

इति सर्वाहुतीर्हुत्वा चतुर्थ्यंतैस्तु मंत्रकैः । ततः शर्वाय रुद्राय यस्य वैकंकतीति च

iti sarvāhutīrhutvā caturthyaṁtaistu maṁtrakaiḥ tataḥ śarvāya rudrāya yasya vaikaṁkatīti ca

"Having thus offered all the oblations with mantras ending in the dative case, then to Sharva, to Rudra, and the mantra beginning 'yasya vaikankati'—"

Verse 41 (padma.5.108.41)

एतैस्तु जुहुयाद्विद्वाननाज्ञातत्रयं तथा । व्याहृतीरथ हुत्वा तु ततः स्विष्टकृतं हुनेत्

etaistu juhuyādvidvānanājñātatrayaṁ tathā vyāhṛtīratha hutvā tu tataḥ sviṣṭakṛtaṁ hunet

"—with these the learned man should offer oblations, and likewise with the three unknown mantras. Having then offered the Vyahriti oblations, he should thereafter offer the Svishtakrit oblation."

Verse 42 (padma.5.108.42)

इध्मशेषं तु निर्वर्त्य पूर्णपात्रोदकं ततः । पूर्णमासांतयजुषा जलेनान्येन बृंहयेत्

idhmaśeṣaṁ tu nirvartya pūrṇapātrodakaṁ tataḥ pūrṇamāsāṁtayajuṣā jalenānyena bṛṁhayet

"Having disposed of the remaining fuel-sticks, he should then, with the water of the full vessel, augment it with other water, using the Yajus verse ending in 'Purnamasa.'"

Verse 43 (padma.5.108.43)

ब्राह्मणेष्वमृतमिति तज्जलं शिरसि क्षिपेत् । प्राच्यामिति दिशां लिंगैर्दिक्षु तोयं विनिक्षिपेत्

brāhmaṇeṣvamṛtamiti tajjalaṁ śirasi kṣipet prācyāmiti diśāṁ liṁgairdikṣu toyaṁ vinikṣipet

"With the mantra 'brahmaneshv amritam,' he should sprinkle that water upon his head. With the mantra beginning 'prachyam,' naming each direction, he should cast the water toward the directions."

Verse 44 (padma.5.108.44)

ब्रह्मणे दक्षिणां दत्वा शांते पुलकमाहरेत् । आहरिष्यामि देवानां सर्वेषां कर्मगुप्तये

brahmaṇe dakṣiṇāṁ datvā śāṁte pulakamāharet āhariṣyāmi devānāṁ sarveṣāṁ karmaguptaye

"Having given a fee to the officiating Brahmin, when the fire has become tranquil, he should bring forth the puluka; saying: 'I shall bring this for the protection of the rites of all the gods.'"

Verse 45 (padma.5.108.45)

जातवेदसमेने त्वां पुलाकं च्छादयाद्य मे । मंत्रेणानेन तं वह्निं पुलाके छादयेदथ

jātavedasamene tvāṁ pulākaṁ cchādayādya me maṁtreṇānena taṁ vahniṁ pulāke chādayedatha

"'O Jatavedas, I now cover you with this husk.' With this mantra, he should then cover that fire with the husk."

Verse 46 (padma.5.108.46)

त्रिदिनं ज्वलनस्थित्यै छादनं पुलकैः स्मृतम् । ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भक्त्या स्वयं भुंजीत वाग्यतः

tridinaṁ jvalanasthityai chādanaṁ pulakaiḥ smṛtam brāhmaṇānbhojayedbhaktyā svayaṁ bhuṁjīta vāgyataḥ

For three days, this covering with husk is prescribed for the fire's continuance; he should feed Brahmins with devotion, and himself eat, remaining silent.

Verse 47 (padma.5.108.47)

भस्माधिकमभीप्संस्तु ह्यधिकं गोमयं हरेत् । दिनत्रयेण यदि वा एकस्मिन्दिवसे बहु

bhasmādhikamabhīpsaṁstu hyadhikaṁ gomayaṁ haret dinatrayeṇa yadi vā ekasmindivase bahu

He who desires more ash should gather more cow-dung; whether over three days, or much in a single day.

Verse 48 (padma.5.108.48)

तृतीये वा चतुर्थे वा प्रातःस्नात्वा सितांबरः । शुक्लयज्ञोपवीती च शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनः

tṛtīye vā caturthe vā prātaḥsnātvā sitāṁbaraḥ śuklayajñopavītī ca śuklamālyānulepanaḥ

On the third or fourth day, having bathed at dawn, clad in white garments, wearing a white sacred thread, adorned with white garlands and unguents—

Verse 49 (padma.5.108.49)

शुक्लदंतो भस्मदिग्धो मंत्रेणानेन मंत्रवित् । तद्वेति चोच्चारयित्वा भस्मसत्यं न संत्यजेत्

śukladaṁto bhasmadigdho maṁtreṇānena maṁtravit tadveti coccārayitvā bhasmasatyaṁ na saṁtyajet

—his teeth cleaned white, smeared with ash, the knower of mantras, having uttered 'tad va' with this mantra, should never abandon the truth of the ash.

Verse 50 (padma.5.108.50)

तत आवाहनमुखा उपचारास्तु षोडश । कर्तव्या हुतदानेन ततोऽग्निमुपसंहरेत्

tata āvāhanamukhā upacārāstu ṣoḍaśa kartavyā hutadānena tato'gnimupasaṁharet

Then the sixteen offerings, beginning with invocation, should be performed, with fire-offering and giving; then he should withdraw the fire.

Verse 51 (padma.5.108.51)

अग्ने भस्मेति मंत्रेण गृह्णीयाद्भस्म चोद्भवम् । अग्निरस्मीति मंत्रेण प्रमृज्य च ततः परम्

agne bhasmeti maṁtreṇa gṛhṇīyādbhasma codbhavam agnirasmīti maṁtreṇa pramṛjya ca tataḥ param

With the mantra "Agne bhasma," he should take up the ash that has arisen; and, with the mantra "Agnir asmi," he should then wipe it clean.

Verse 52 (padma.5.108.52)

संयोज्य गंगासलिलैः कपिलापयसाथवा । चंद्रं कुंकुमकाश्मीरमुशीरं चंदनं तथा

saṁyojya gaṁgāsalilaiḥ kapilāpayasāthavā caṁdraṁ kuṁkumakāśmīramuśīraṁ caṁdanaṁ tathā

Having mixed it with the waters of the Ganga, or with the milk of a tawny cow, and camphor, saffron, and Kashmiri saffron, vetiver-root, and sandal—

Verse 53 (padma.5.108.53)

अगुरुद्वितयं चैव चूर्णयित्वा तु सूक्ष्मतः । क्षिपेद्भस्मनि तच्चूर्णमोमिति ब्रह्ममंत्रतः

agurudvitayaṁ caiva cūrṇayitvā tu sūkṣmataḥ kṣipedbhasmani taccūrṇamomiti brahmamaṁtrataḥ

—and both kinds of agaru, having ground them fine, he should cast that powder into the ash, with the syllable Om, the mantra of Brahman.

Verse 54 (padma.5.108.54)

ततः पयः सेचने च गदितः कपिला मनुः । अमृतं देवि ते क्षीरं पवित्रमिह वर्द्धितम्

tataḥ payaḥ secane ca gaditaḥ kapilā manuḥ amṛtaṁ devi te kṣīraṁ pavitramiha varddhitam

Then, for the sprinkling of the milk, the Kapila-mantra is declared: "Nectar, O goddess, is your milk, sacred, here made abundant."

Verse 55 (padma.5.108.55)

तवप्रसादान्मुच्यंते मनुजाः सर्वपाप्मनः । प्रणवेनावहेद्विद्वान्भस्मनो वटकानथ

tavaprasādānmucyaṁte manujāḥ sarvapāpmanaḥ praṇavenāvahedvidvānbhasmano vaṭakānatha

"By your grace men are freed from all sin." With the syllable Om, the learned man should then form the ash into small round pellets.

Verse 56 (padma.5.108.56)

अणोरणीयानिति हि मंत्रेण तु विचक्षणम् । शंभुरुवाच- इत्थं तु भस्मसंपाद्य शुष्कमादाय मंत्रवित्

aṇoraṇīyāniti hi maṁtreṇa tu vicakṣaṇam śaṁbhuruvāca- itthaṁ tu bhasmasaṁpādya śuṣkamādāya maṁtravit

With the mantra "anor aniyan," the discerning man should complete it. Shambhu said: Having thus prepared the ash, and taken it once dry, the knower of mantras—

Verse 57 (padma.5.108.57)

प्रणवेन विमृज्याथ सप्तप्रणवमंत्रितम् । ईशानेन शिरोदेशं मुखं तत्पुरुषेण च

praṇavena vimṛjyātha saptapraṇavamaṁtritam īśānena śirodeśaṁ mukhaṁ tatpuruṣeṇa ca

—should wipe it with the syllable Om, and consecrate it with the seven-fold Om-mantra: with Ishana, the region of the head; with Tatpurusha, the face—

Verse 58 (padma.5.108.58)

उरोदेशमघोरेण गुह्यं वामेन मंत्रयेत् । सद्योजातेन वै पादौ सर्वांगं प्रणवेन तु

urodeśamaghoreṇa guhyaṁ vāmena maṁtrayet sadyojātena vai pādau sarvāṁgaṁ praṇavena tu

—with Aghora, the region of the chest; with Vamadeva, the private parts; with Sadyojata, the feet; and with the syllable Om, the whole body.

Verse 59 (padma.5.108.59)

तत उद्धूल्य सर्वांगमापादतलमस्तकम् । तत आचम्य वसनं धौतं श्वेतं प्रधारयेत्

tata uddhūlya sarvāṁgamāpādatalamastakam tata ācamya vasanaṁ dhautaṁ śvetaṁ pradhārayet

Having thus applied it over the whole body, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head, he should then sip water and put on a clean, white garment.

Verse 60 (padma.5.108.60)

पुनराचम्य कर्म स्वं कर्तुमर्हति सर्वतः । ततो भस्मसमादाय प्रमृज्य प्रणवेन तु

punarācamya karma svaṁ kartumarhati sarvataḥ tato bhasmasamādāya pramṛjya praṇavena tu

Having sipped water again, he is fit to perform all his own duties fully. Then, taking up the ash and wiping it with the syllable Om—

Verse 61 (padma.5.108.61)

त्रिनेत्रं त्रिगुणाधारं त्रयाणां जनकं विभुम् । स्मरन्नमः शिवायेति ललाटे तु त्रिपुंड्रकम्

trinetraṁ triguṇādhāraṁ trayāṇāṁ janakaṁ vibhum smarannamaḥ śivāyeti lalāṭe tu tripuṁḍrakam

—remembering the three-eyed one, the support of the three gunas, the father of the three gods, the mighty one, and saying "Namah Shivaya," he should apply the triple line on the forehead.

Verse 62 (padma.5.108.62)

नमः शिवाभ्यामित्युक्त्वा बाह्वोर्वापि त्रिपुंड्रकम् । अघोराय नम इति उभाभ्यां च प्रकोष्ठयोः

namaḥ śivābhyāmityuktvā bāhvorvāpi tripuṁḍrakam aghorāya nama iti ubhābhyāṁ ca prakoṣṭhayoḥ

Having said "Namah Shivabhyam," he should apply the triple line on the arms as well; and, with "Aghoraya namah," on both forearms.

Verse 63 (padma.5.108.63)

भीमायेति ततः पृष्ठे शिरोधि पश्चिमे तथा । नीलकंठाय शिरसि क्षिपेत्सर्वात्मने नमः

bhīmāyeti tataḥ pṛṣṭhe śirodhi paścime tathā nīlakaṁṭhāya śirasi kṣipetsarvātmane namaḥ

With "Bhimaya," then, on the back; likewise on the nape of the neck behind; and, saying "Namah, O Nilakantha, O Self of all," he should apply it upon the head.

Verse 64 (padma.5.108.64)

प्रक्षाल्याथ ततो हस्तौ कर्मानुष्ठानमाचरेत् । शिव उवाच- यूयमेवं प्रकारेण भस्म कृत्वा प्रघृष्य च

prakṣālyātha tato hastau karmānuṣṭhānamācaret śiva uvāca- yūyamevaṁ prakāreṇa bhasma kṛtvā praghṛṣya ca

Having then washed his hands, he should undertake the performance of his duties. Shiva said: "Having made ash in this manner, and having applied it—"

Verse 65 (padma.5.108.65)

गुणान्धारयितुं शक्तास्ततः स्रक्ष्यथ वै प्रजाः । शंभुरुवाच- इत्थं शिवोदिता देवा ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेश्वराः

guṇāndhārayituṁ śaktāstataḥ srakṣyatha vai prajāḥ śaṁbhuruvāca- itthaṁ śivoditā devā brahmaviṣṇumaheśvarāḥ

"—you shall be able to hold your gunas, and then you shall indeed create beings." Shambhu said: Thus instructed by Shiva, the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—

Verse 66 (padma.5.108.66)

तथा कृत्वा च विधिना हमहमिकया तदा । अन्योन्यबोधनाशक्ताः प्रणम्य शिवमूचिरे

tathā kṛtvā ca vidhinā hamahamikayā tadā anyonyabodhanāśaktāḥ praṇamya śivamūcire

—having thus performed it duly, then, each vying with the other in rivalry, unable to understand one another, bowed to Shiva and said—

Verse 67 (padma.5.108.67)

कं गुणं धारयेत्को वा शिवः प्राह सुतानथ । कर्मशक्तिं तथा ज्ञानं मुखरेण्वैव नश्यति

kaṁ guṇaṁ dhārayetko vā śivaḥ prāha sutānatha karmaśaktiṁ tathā jñānaṁ mukhareṇvaiva naśyati

—"Which of us should hold which guna?" Shiva then said to his sons: "The power of action, and likewise knowledge, is destroyed merely by dust from my mouth—"

Verse 68 (padma.5.108.68)

अल्पायुर्दृश्यते ब्रह्मा मनुभिश्चास्य जीवितम् । योऽहं ब्रह्मांडमालाभिर्भूषितो ब्रह्मगोपनम्

alpāyurdṛśyate brahmā manubhiścāsya jīvitam yo'haṁ brahmāṁḍamālābhirbhūṣito brahmagopanam

"Brahma is seen to be of short life, and his lifespan is reckoned in manvantaras. I, who am adorned with garlands of whole cosmic eggs, know the very secret of Brahman—"

Verse 69 (padma.5.108.69)

रजोगुणमवष्टभ्य न च जानासि मां तदा । ब्रह्माधिकबलो विष्णुरायुषि ब्रह्मणोऽधिकः

rajoguṇamavaṣṭabhya na ca jānāsi māṁ tadā brahmādhikabalo viṣṇurāyuṣi brahmaṇo'dhikaḥ

"—but you, having taken hold of the guna of rajas, do not then know me." Vishnu is greater in strength than Brahma, and greater than Brahma in lifespan—

Verse 70 (padma.5.108.70)

ब्रह्मांडमालाभरणे महेशस्य ममैव तु । चतुर्निःश्वासमात्रेण विष्णोरायुरुदाहृतम्

brahmāṁḍamālābharaṇe maheśasya mamaiva tu caturniḥśvāsamātreṇa viṣṇorāyurudāhṛtam

—but in the ornament of the garland of cosmic eggs, it belongs to Mahesha, to me alone. The lifespan of Vishnu is declared to be but four breaths of mine.

Verse 71 (padma.5.108.71)

ब्रह्मणोऽधिकसत्वत्वात्सत्वमालंबतां हरिः । जानाति सर्वकालं मां क्वचिदेव न विस्मरेत्

brahmaṇo'dhikasatvatvātsatvamālaṁbatāṁ hariḥ jānāti sarvakālaṁ māṁ kvacideva na vismaret

Because of his greater sattva compared to Brahma, Hari came to hold sattva; he knows me at all times, and never at all forgets me.

Verse 72 (padma.5.108.72)

सात्विकैकैव पूजास्य राजसी तामसी न तु । शांतं शिवं सत्वगुणं रजवक्त्रावमानतः

sātvikaikaiva pūjāsya rājasī tāmasī na tu śāṁtaṁ śivaṁ satvaguṇaṁ rajavaktrāvamānataḥ

His worship is Sattvic alone, never Rajasic or Tamasic. But, out of a certain disrespect toward rajas's own face—

Verse 73 (padma.5.108.73)

नभोनीलं तथा चैव गुणं शंभुस्तथाभजत् । सत्वं रजस्तमश्चापि दधार च पुरा किल

nabhonīlaṁ tathā caiva guṇaṁ śaṁbhustathābhajat satvaṁ rajastamaścāpi dadhāra ca purā kila

—and the sky-blue guna as well, Shambhu likewise took up. He indeed formerly bore sattva, rajas, and tamas all together.

Verse 74 (padma.5.108.74)

अतोऽस्य विविधा पूजा शंकरस्य विधीयते । रजश्च तमसायुक्तं दारुणं परिकीर्तितम्

ato'sya vividhā pūjā śaṁkarasya vidhīyate rajaśca tamasāyuktaṁ dāruṇaṁ parikīrtitam

Therefore, manifold worship is prescribed for Shankara. Rajas joined with tamas is declared to be harsh.

Verse 75 (padma.5.108.75)

दारुणापि ततः पूजा शंकरे गतिदा मता । रजश्च तमसायुक्तमलं शास्त्रप्रवर्तकम्

dāruṇāpi tataḥ pūjā śaṁkare gatidā matā rajaśca tamasāyuktamalaṁ śāstrapravartakam

Yet even harsh worship offered to Shankara is held to grant a good state. Rajas joined with tamas is the promoter of ritual scripture.

Verse 76 (padma.5.108.76)

विच्छिन्नापि ततः पूजा शंकरे फलदा मता । तमश्च सत्वसंयुक्तं मिश्रकं च प्रवर्तकम्

vicchinnāpi tataḥ pūjā śaṁkare phaladā matā tamaśca satvasaṁyuktaṁ miśrakaṁ ca pravartakam

Even worship that is interrupted, when offered to Shankara, is held to bear fruit. Tamas joined with sattva is a mixed guna and a certain promoter.

Verse 77 (padma.5.108.77)

मिश्रपूजा विफलदा शंकरे लोकशंकरे । यादृशं तादृशं वापि नियमेनार्चनं विभोः

miśrapūjā viphaladā śaṁkare lokaśaṁkare yādṛśaṁ tādṛśaṁ vāpi niyamenārcanaṁ vibhoḥ

Even mixed worship is not fruitless when offered to Shankara, the giver of well-being to the world. Whatever the manner, worship of the mighty one, performed with due observance—

Verse 78 (padma.5.108.78)

शंकरस्याशुफलदं यादृशस्यापि देहिनः । शंभुरुवाच- एतत्संक्षेपतः प्रोक्तं विधानं भस्मनोऽनघ

śaṁkarasyāśuphaladaṁ yādṛśasyāpi dehinaḥ śaṁbhuruvāca- etatsaṁkṣepataḥ proktaṁ vidhānaṁ bhasmano'nagha

—bears swift fruit to Shankara, whatever the nature of the embodied being who offers it. Shambhu said: This, O sinless one, has been told in brief — the procedure of ash—

Verse 79 (padma.5.108.79)

वक्तृश्रोतृजनानां च समस्ताघविनाशनम्

vaktṛśrotṛjanānāṁ ca samastāghavināśanam

—which destroys every sin, both of the speaker and of the hearers.