Vibhuti Mantram

Holy ash. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Baba has often spoken of the significance of this Vibhuti. Since it is materialised out of nothing and since the ash is specifically associated with Shiva, it is reverentially known by devotees as Kailasa Vibhuti, the sacred Ash of Shiva who resides on Mount Kailasa. It is named Vibhuti since it endows one with prosperity. Bhasma, ‘ashes’, because it burns away all sins; Bhasitam,  ‘brightened’, because it increases one’s spiritual splendour, ksharana, ‘destruction’, since it removes danger, and Raksha,  ‘protector’, for it is an armour against the machinations of evil spirits. This is how Vibhuti is praised in the Brihajjabala Upanishad (also spelt as Brihad Jabala Upanishad). (SSSm Vol.1, p. 139)

The Vibhuti, which you smear on your forehead, is intended to convey this basic spiritual lesson that everything will be reduced to ashes, including the brow that wears it. (SSS Vol.5, p. 260)

What I materialize is a manifestation of divinity with a potent significance as well as symbolism. It is symbolic of the cosmic, immortal and infinite nature of also forms of God, atma or the spirit-that is, what is left when everything worldly, transient and changeable has burnt away.

I have spoken to you of the imperative or desireless life. After Shiva has burnt the God of desire, Kama, into a heap of ashes, he adorned himself with the ash to shine as the conqueror of desire. When Kama was destroyed, Prema reigned as the Goddess of love. Such is the significance of ash.

In the first place, it is symbolic of the life death cycle in which everything ultimately reduces itself to ash. For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou returneth’. Ash or dust is the final condition of things. It cannot undergo any further change. In the spiritual context it constitutes a warning to the receiver to give up desire, to burn all passions, attachments and temptations, and make one pure, in thought, word and deed.

It is in order to press home this lesson that I materialize ash for those who come to me with love and devotion. Like other materializations, it also acts as a talisman, healing the sick and giving protection to those who need it. It is the symbol of divinity, quite different from the magician’s trickery mentioned to you. (S&M, p. 241-242)

Swami often gives to devotees Vibhuti or Bhasma (the sacred ash). Many people smear their foreheads with this ash. What is the inner significance of this ash? When any object that has a name and form is completely burnt, it is reduced to ashes. The name and form are gone. All things are one and the same in the final state as ashes. When Vibhuti is given, Swami wants the recipient to understand this Advaitam (basic oneness). The devotee should get rid of Ahamkara (ego arising from the feeling of separateness) and sense of Mamakara (mine’ and ‘thine). These two are based on name and form and when they are destroyed, the underlying unity of the Divine can be realised. (SSS Vol.20, p.121)