Bhasma

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.
THE SAIVA UPANISHADS
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 -
Ugrayaetc.
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.