Bhasma Jabala Upanishad...

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Bhasma Jabala Upanishad...

I am that Absolute Brahman only which, after being understood in its true aspect (as one
with this Atman), entirely burns into ashes (Bhasma) the ignorance (illusion or Maya) of
considering this universe to be existing (real) and separate from one’s own Self, through the
destructive fire of (Supreme) Knowledge!
Once Bhusunda, a descendant of Jabali went to the Kailas Peak and prostrated before Lord
Mahadeva Siva, who is the form of Omkara and who is beyond the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and
Rudra.
Bhusunda worshipped Siva with great devotion again and again through fruits, flowers and
leaves. Then he questioned Lord Siva: “Lord! Kindly impart to me the essential knowledge of all
the Vedas, embodying the process and technique of using the Bhasma (sacred ash), because it is the
only means for attaining Liberation. What is the Bhasma made of? Where should it be applied?
What are the Mantras to be recited? Who are the persons fitted for this? What are the rules regarding
it? Kindly instruct me, born from depressed class.”
The kind Lord Paramesvara said: At first the devotee after understanding the influence of
the celestials at the prescribed time, should fetch some sacred and pure cow-dung early in the
morning, keep it in the leaf of a Palasa-tree and then dry it with the Vedic Mantra ‘Tryambakam’
etc. (in the sun).
Then he should burn that dry cow-dung, placed in a convenient place, with any fire that is
available, according to the rules laid down in the Grihya Sutras of his sect, and then pour Ahutis of
seasamum and paddy together with ghee, with the Mantra ‘Somaya Svaha’. The number of Ahutis
should be 1008, or if possible, 1 1/2 times this. The instruments for pouring ghee should be made of
leaf; in that case man does not commit any sin.
Then, at the end, the devotee should offer the oblation of Sveshtakruta at the time of
Purna-Ahuti, with the Mantra ‘Tryambakam’ etc. With the same Mantra Bali (an offering) should
be placed in the eight directions (of the fire).
That Bhasma should be sprinkled with water by the Gayatri Mantra. Then that sacred ash
should be placed in a gold, silver, copper or earthen vessel and sprinkled again with the Rudra
Mantras. It should then be kept in a clean and decent place.
Then the devotee should honour the Brahmins with a grand feast.
Then only he will become purified. Then he should take the Bhasma from the vessel with
the Pancha-Brahma-Mantras, ‘Manastoka’, ‘Sadyo Jatam’, etc., and with the idea that ‘fire is
Bhasma, air is Bhasma, water is Bhasma, earth is Bhasma, ether is Bhasma, gods are Bhasma,
Rishis are Bhasma, all this universe and existence are Bhasma; I prostrate to this sacred and
purifying Bhasma which destroys all my sins.’
Thus, the devotee should keep a little Bhasma with the decent left hand saying,
‘Vamadevaya’ (this is to Vamadeva) sprinkling with the Mantra ‘Tryambakam’ etc., and cleaning it
with the Mantra ‘Suddham suddhena’ etc. Then he should filter it nicely. Then he should apply it
from head to foot, with the five Brahma-Mantras. With the first finger, middle finger and ring
finger, he should apply the same to the middle of the head saying ‘to the head’ and ‘O Bhasma!
Thou hast come from Agni!’
Places where Bhasma is to be applied Mantra to be used
1. Forehead Tryambakam etc.
2. Neck Nilagrivaya etc.
3. Right side of neck Tryayusham etc.
4. Cheeks Vama etc.
5. Eyes Kalaya etc.
6. Ears Trilochanaya etc.
7. Face Srinavama etc.
8. Chest Prabravama etc.
9. Navel Atmane etc.
10. Below right shoulder Nabhih etc.
11. Middle of right shoulder Bhavaya etc.
12. Right side of chest Rudraya etc.
13. Back of right arm Sarvaya etc.
14. Below left shoulder Pasupataye etc.
15. Middle of left shoulder Ugraya etc.
16. Middle of left arm Agrevadhaya etc.
17. Back of left arm Durevadhaya etc.
18. Armpits Namo Hantre etc.
19. All parts Sankaraya etc.
The devotee should then prostrate to Siva with the Mantra ‘Somaya’ etc. He should wash
the hands and drink that ash-water with the Mantra ‘Apah Punantu’ etc. The water should never be
spilt down from any cause.
Thus, this practice of Bhasmadharana should be done in the morning, noon and evening. If
he does not do this, he will become fallen. This very thing is the prescribed Dharma of all Brahmins.
Without having Bhasmadharana in this fashion, he should never take any food, water or anything
else. Accidentally if this practice is forgotten, that day, Gayatri should not be repeated. No Yajna
should be done on that day; no Tarpana should be offered to gods, Rishis or Pitrus. This is the
eternal Dharma that destroys all sins and gives the final state of Moksha.
This is the daily rite of Brahmins, Brahmacharins, Grihasthas, Vanaprasthas and
Sannyasins. If this is overlooked even once, he should stand in water upto the neck, repeating
Gayatri 108 times, and fast the whole day. If a Sannyasin does not wear Bhasma, even a single day,
he should fast during the whole day and do 1000 Pranava Japa, for being purified once again.
Otherwise, the Lord will throw these Sannyasins to dogs and wolves.
In case this kind of Bhasma is not available, any other Bhasma that may be at hand should be
used with the prescribed Mantras. This kind of practice shall destroy any kind of sin that may be
committed by man.
Then again Bhusunda asked Siva: What are the daily rites to be performed by a Brahmin, by
neglecting which he will commit a sin? Who is to be then meditated upon? Who is to be
remembered? How to meditate? Where to practice this? Please tell me in detail.
The Lord answered all in a nutshell: First of all the devotee should get up early in the
morning before sunrise, and after finishing the purificatory actions, should take his bath. He should
clean the body with the Rudra Suktas. Then he should wear a clean cloth. After this, he should
meditate on the sun-god and apply Bhasma to all the prescribed parts of the body. He should then
wear white Rudraksha, as prescribed. Some prescribe the following way of applying Bhasma:
Places No. of times (lines)
1. Head 40
2. Chest 1 or 3
3. Ears 11
4. Neck 32
5. Arms 16 each
6. Throat 12 each side
7. Thumbs 6 each
Then the devotee should observe Sandhya with the Kusa grass in his hand. He should do
Japa of either Siva-Shadakshara or Siva-Ashtakshara. ‘Om Namah Sivaya’ and ‘Om Namo
Mahadevaya’ are the two Mantras. This is the highest truth and the greatest instruction. I myself am
that Great Lord Siva, God of all gods, the Supreme Controller of all the universes. I am that
Impersonal Brahman, I am Omkara, I am the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer of all. Through My
terror only, all are working properly. I am this world and the five elements. I am the Highest Truth
that exists, the Brahman of the Upanishads. This is the greatest Vidya.
I am the only giver of Moksha. Hence all people come to Me for final help. That is why I
absorb into My Being those creatures who leave their Pranas at Banares which is standing at the top
of My Trisula (trident). Therefore, everyone should perform penance at Banares only. Banares
should not be neglected under any circumstance. Everybody should try to live at Banares as far as
possible. No place is better than Banares.
Even at Banares, the most celebrated is the temple of Siva, where in the East, there is the
place of Wealth, in the South, the place of Vichara, in the West, the place of Vairagya and in the
North, the place of Jnana. There in the middle, I, the Eternal Spirit should be worshipped. That
Linga at Banares, is not illumined by the sun, moon or the stars. That self-luminous Linga called
‘Visvesvara’ has its root in Pathala. That is Myself. I should be worshipped by one who wears the
sacred Bhasma and Rudrakshas in the prescribed manner. I shall deliver him from all sins and
sorrows.
By performing My Abhisheka, he attains My Sayujya state. Nothing exists other than
Myself. I initiate all with the Taraka Mantra. Those who want Mukti should live at Banares. I will
take care of them. I am the Lord of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra. The most corrupt man or woman
will attain Moksha, if he or she dies at Banares. Other sinners will be fried in burning pits of live
coals after death. Therefore, everybody should try to live at Banares which is My Pranalinga Itself.