Please click here to listen to the Actual Upanishad in Sanskrit:
Please click here to listen to the Tamil version of this article.
Sri Rama gives us a list of 108 Upanishads in Muktika Upanishad. Sri Rama advises Hanumaan to read Mandukya Upanishad first and if he does not get Athma Gnaanam, then Sri Rama advises to read the primary ten Upanishads called DashoPanishads. These ten Upanishads for an integral part of Prasthaana thraya (along with Bhagavad Gita and Brahma Sutra). Sri Rama also mentions a complete list of one hundred and eight Upanishads in Muktika Upanishad. Among those, Kalagni Rudra Upanishad talks in-depth about the wearing of Bhasma and its greatness.
In Kalagni Rudra Upanishad, Sanath Kumara asks Kalagni Rudra or Shiva about the details of wearing Bhasma or Vibhuthi. Then Sri Rudra tells the details of Bhasma Dhaarana in length. Parameshwara declares that the three rekhas of Bhasma Tripundram are equivalent to the three agni namely Gaarhapathyam, Dakshinaagni, and Aahavaneeyam. Sri Shiva further compares the three rekhas of trupuindram with the three savanams of Soma Yaaga – Pratha: Savanam, Madhyandinam Savanam & Dwitheeya Savana. This clearly proves the greatness of Soma Yaagas and Tretaagni! Who else other than that Parameshwara can show us the greatness of Srautham!
First Sri kalagni Rudra advises Sanath Kumara about the material for Vibhuti – which is the ashes or Bhashma from Agni (Agnihotram)! Then Sri Rudra talks about the mantras for applying Bhasma Rekha:
- Sadhyo Jaathaadhi – pancha brahma mantras should be recited while collecting the bhasma
- Sthalamithi Bhasma – mantras must be chanted while taking the bhasma (from the pot)
- Maanasthoke tanaye – mantras while taking out the bhasma into the hands
- Maano Mahaantham ithi – mantras while mixing the bhasma with water
- Tryambakam YajaMahe – while applying the bhasma on the body
One follows the above procedure and applies bhasma tripundra rekhas all over one’s body. This is being mentioned in Vedas as Shaambava Vrutham. One who is ambitious in attaining ultimate moksha must practice this as mentioned above!
Sanath Kumara further asks Kalagni Rudra about the rules and the concepts behind tripundra rekha.
First Rekha :
- GarhaPatha Agni
- Akara
- Rajo Guna
- Kriya Shakthi:
- Bhuloka
- RigVeda
- Pratha Savanam of Soma Yaga
- Kriya Shakthi
- MaheswaraDevatha
Second Rekha
- Dakshinaagni
- Ukara
- Sattva Gunam
- Icha Shakthi
- Antariksham
- Antarathma
- Yajur Veda
- Madhyandina Savanam of SomaYaga
- Sadasiva Devtha
Third Rekha
- Ahavaniya of Tretagni
- Makara
- Tamo Guna
- Dhyor Loka
- ParamAthma,
- Gnana Shakthi
- SamaVeda,
- Triteeya Savanam
- Mahadeva Devatha
Sri Rudra further declares that one who applied bhasma tripundra Rekha irrespective of one’s ashrama – brahmachari, grihastha, vanaprastha, or a sanyasi – gets rid of all his sins like MahaPathamkas, UpaPathakas, BrahmaHathya, and all others! One attains all the benefits of muttering Sri Rudram and having a dip in all holy rivers by wearing bhasma tripundram. Having enjoyed all the worldly pleasures in this world, one attains Unity with Shiva or Shiva Sayujyam after his lifetime!
Thus Sri Rudra himself declares the greatness of Bhasma Dharanam and Tretagni in this Upanishad!