Vibhuti

Hindu man, wearing tripundra

In Hinduism, vibhuti (Sanskrit: विभूति, romanized: vibhūti), also called bhasmam or tirunīru, is sacred ash made of burnt dried wood, burnt cow dung and/or cremated bodies used in Agamic rituals. Devotees of Shiva apply vibhuti traditionally as three horizontal lines across the forehead (also known as tripundra) and other parts of the body.

According to the Shiva Purana, the particles of ash which cling to the skin when tripundra is applied are to be considered to be individual lingams. The scriptures further state that bhasma purifies the soul and elevates the devotee of Shiva, and that works done without wearing bhasma are fruitless. There are various methods for the application of the ashes, according to the Shiva Purana, and various mantras to be recited during application.

Other uses

Another meaning of vibhuti is a 'glorious form', in contrast with avatar, a reincarnation of Brahman.

Vaishnava theology describes a vibhuti as 'incarnation of power', a temporary occasional manifestation such as when holy men are infused with divine virtues and qualities are infused.

Sri Aurobindo mentions a vibhuti as "the hero of a race's struggle towards divine achievement, the hero in the Carlylean sense of heroism, a power of God in man."

Manufacture

Whether at home, at a festival or commercially, it is expected that suitable prayers or mantras or other ritual practices will take place at appropriate times. Some people who produce vibhuti may prefer or insist that the various stages occur at certain times, such as the raw materials being collected on an auspicious day and the burning to occur during a festival celebration such as on Shivaratri.

While adulteration of vibhuti is frowned upon, fragrances in the form of herbs or other perfumes may be added either before burning in the form of herbs or mixed into the powder after burning.

Dung-based vibhuti

Fresh cow dung, preferably from varieties of cow seen historically in India and not European varieties like Jersey or Friesian, is collected and formed into cakes, balls, or sheets. The size and shape depends upon how the dung will arranged for burning but a tennis ball size is common. Over a period of around a week the dung is dried in sunlight while resting on a cloth or stone that keeps it from coming into contact with the ground.

The dried dung is then arranged in layers, alternating dung with a thin layer of paddy (rice hull that has not been processed to extract the grain, or even the whole plant except roots) or rice husks, and hay. This may occur in a fire pit or free standing such as a long triangular pile. The purpose of the plants is to provide heat while also preventing the dung itself from burning vigorously. Vibhuti prepared in fire pits may be covered to restrict oxygen. Over a period of several days the fire results in the dung being reduced to a dark or, ideally, a pale grey or a white coloured ash. The balls of dung ash are then gathered and ground by hand or machine.

The ground ash may be washed in water with the slurry and collected in a filter cloth. The wet ash paste is dried by fire or sunlight; particularly if the ash is dark it is dried in fire to lighten it. This washed and dried vibhuti is then powdered again

Home production is similar to the process described above albeit on a smaller scale and the dung may be roasted in a metal vessel. During religious festivals the stack of materials may be ignited with fire from a homa.

Wood- or plant-based

Ashes made from various plants ascribed with spiritual or religious significance may be used. The plant itself is often burnt in a homa. Using certain types of plant may be indicated or contraindicated depending upon the user's astrological chart.

See also

• Bindi
• Kumkum
• Rudraksha
• Tilaka
• Bhasmajabala Upanishad
• Brihajjabala Upanishad

Further reading

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola

External links

• Vibhuti in Lingayat religion