Spirituality

Vibhuti: The Sanctified Ash

Vibhuti has many interpretations. Vibhuti has been derived from Vibhu, meaning supreme, lord, eminent, self-controlled, universal, etc. The word Vibhuti connects us to God, meaning something that has been derived from the Divinity itself. 

Another interpretation is that it’s a combination of two words, Vi and Bhuti. Vi means distinguished or derived from. And Bhuti is a derivation of the word Bhuta, which means existence, birth, worldly or physical form. Hence, Vibhuti translates to something that separates us from worldly life. In Sanatana, Vibhuti has immense spiritual importance. Let’s take a look at it.   

Bhasma and Vibhuti

Is everything that is burnt can be called a Vibhuti? What makes ash, Bhasma, and Vibhuti separate from one another? Ash is a grey substance formed as a result of burning a substance. On the other hand, Bhasma is an Ayurvedic term. Its Ayurvedic or metallic preparation is treated with herbal juices, decoction, or extracts and exposed to a specific quantum of heat, as mentioned in the ancient text of Ayurveda. Bhasma has a wide range of medicinal uses, and Indians have been using this as medicine for the last two thousand years.

 Vibhuti is holy ash, usually extracted from the Hawan chamber after the Homa (ceremonial fire) ceremony is completed and the heat has been extinguished. While Bhasma is traditionally used as Ayurvedic preparations, Vibhuti is used in spiritual rituals for application on the idols or the body. 

 Preparing Vibhuti is a very elaborate process. Several ancient texts describe the specific ways to prepare a Vibhuti. They go into detail on how to select an auspicious day and location for the procedure. How the place is cleaned and sanctified before the preparations begin. Dried wood, Karukkai (semi-grown grains of paddy), cow dung, and some other herbs are mixed and burnt, maintaining a specific temperature, on the backdrop of live chanting of the most sacred Mantras in Sanatana- This is how a Vibhuti is prepared.   

 Symbolism behind Vibhuti

– Vibhuti is a representation of the endless cycle of life in Sanatana. It conveys that nothing lasts forever, and eventually, everything turns into ashes. All that remains is our Karma and Sanskaras (impressions), which we carry to the next life. Bhasma represents this in a very subtle way.

 -Lord Mahadev is considered the destroyer of the world. When he destroys the worlds, he covers himself with the ashes of the worlds and meditates to create a new world. Hence, Shiva devotees wear these sacred ashes or mark their bodies with ashes as a sign of devotion and surrender to the ultimate power- that is Shiva. 

 –Aghoris and Sages who have devoted themselves to Lord Shiva cover themselves entirely in the Bhasma. Often, they get this Bhasma from the burnt bodies on the cremation ground. It represents their journey from worldly pleasures and affairs towards detachment, renunciation, dispassion, and complete devotion. 

 -Once, Kama Deva (lord of love and desires) tried to engulf Lord Shiva in his web. Lord Shiva, who was meditating, opened his third eye and burned down Kama Deva with his Ojas (spiritual radiance). Since then, Vibhuti has become a symbol of austerity and the act of devoiding yourself of worldly pleasures to reach higher consciousness. 

 – It’s a symbol of Lord Shiva’s righteous anger, which is not destructive but transformative and regenerative. Lord Shiva uses his anger to destroy impurities in us, and Vibhuti is a representation of that power.

Benefits of using the Vibhuti

-Vibhuti is not just ash; it’s charged with positive energy. Even to this day, it’s a morning ritual for many devotees. The preparation, the smell, and the Mantra chanting during its application on the forehead increase the positive energy. 

 -Vibhuti has many herbs, and thus, it has medicinal values. Many of those herbs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relief) properties. If we have a headache, the application of Vibhuti on the forehead helps reduce pain and headache. 

 -Vibhuti also has lants that affect the respiratory system of the body. Applying Vibhuti regularly on the forehead could prevent having a common cold. It absorbs excess moisture from the skin and prevents cold. 

 -Vibhuti acts as a shield when it comes to negativity. When you apply this holy ash to your body, it blocks the negative energy entering your subconscious. 

 Vibhuti has a very close connection with the body’s energy channels. Applying Bhasma helps to unblock the channel and facilitates the body’s natural energy flow. When a devotee applies a dot of Vibhuti in between his two eyebrows, he stimulates the Third Eye Chakra. In fact, scriptures mention that the application of Vibhuti on the body helps create a balance in the Chakras of the body.

 -Vibhuti, infused with herbal medicines, is known to maintain optimum alkaline balance of the body. Few Vibhutis are a source of calcium, which are easy to absorb in the body. Additionally, it is known to protect the body from the effect of free radicals.

 There are plenty of brands available online for buying a Vibhuti. However, if you are looking for an authentic Vibhuti, you can get it from any Hindu temple near your home. We hope you enjoyed reading about the importance of Vibhuti in spirituality. Please subscribe to our mailing list to stay connected and receive information about spirituality. In case of any queries, please write to us at info@chamundaswamiji.com. You can check out our YouTube channel Chamunda Swamiji where you can learn Tantra, Mantra, Yantra, and Meditation from His Holiness Shri Chamunda Swamiji.