[Advaita-l] Bhasma dhaaraNa varNanam - Shiva Puranam

[V Subrahmanian]

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In this chapter of the Shiva Mahapuranam there is a detailed maahaatmya
kathanam of the Bhasma - Bhasma Maahaatmyam. Some of the salient features
are:


   1. Bhasma dhaaranam is for All four varnas and beyond.
   2. It is for both men and women.
   3. There are types of bhasma
   4. Vishnu also donned the Bhasma Tripundra.
   5. Those who deride bhasma dharanam will meet hellish ends.
   6. There are mantras for dhaarana
   7. The Jaabala, Brihajjaabala, etc. are cited as pramana for bhasma
   dharana vidhi.
   8. Those with urdhva pundra, chakrankana, are not fit for Shiva yajna-s.
   9. Bhasma dharana gives moksha phalam too apart from paapa kshaya.
   10. Shiva loka is above Brahma, Vishnu loka
   11. The significance of the three lines of bhasma tripundra is given
   here.

A study of this chapter reveals a lot of information on the topic. The
Shiva Puranam has been cited by Shankara in the VSN Bhashya, Sridhara
Swamin in Vishnu Purana commentary and the author of the 'sarva mata
sangraha' - all for Shiva Paratvam.
Om Tat Sat