Well, in the following excerpt you would know the real meaning and purpose behind Hindu rites and rituals. You would also know why we do things in a particular way and the scientific facts behind it. Well, you must have seen pundits applying ash from havan kund on your forehead. So hold tight and enjoy with us on our journey of exploring what is Vibhuti and Vibhuti benefits.
What is Vibhuti, Bhasma, or Holy Ash?
Vibhuti also goes with the name, bhasma. It is the holy ash that one can retrieve from the havan kund. One can also obtain them from the sacrificial fire. This is where one can get special logs of wood from certain sacred trees, pure ghee, herbs and grains. They are kept in the offerings, duly charged with mantras, to a deity.
Vibhuti Benefits
You would remain in awe or surprise to know that when one obtains Ash from this sacred fire; it is unique. Yes, you heard that right! It has enormous potency, both spiritual as well as material.
Unlike other gods, in fact, one worships Lord Shiva additionally through pouring ash as abhisheka. Then later, one distributes it to devotees in the form of vibhuti. This bestows blessings to one who applies it on his forehead and other body parts. It also protects the wearer from ill health and the evil eye.
Medicinal Vibhuti Benefits
When one obtains Vibhuti from a sacred havan kund, it serves as divine herbal medicine. And applying vibhuti on different parts of the body can bring transcendental positive energy from the astral world.
The vibhuti also acts as an amazing tool to enhance our body’s receptivity. When one applies it at different body points, especially points of greater receptivity such as the Ajna chakra, we receive greater divine energy.
The Different Applications On One’s Body
One should always take the Vibhuti with the ring finger. This is because it is one of the most sensitive and sacred points of the body. In order to receive maximum benefit, apply vibhuti on the Ajna chakra. Ajna chakra is the spot between the eyebrows. One should also apply it on the Vishuddha chakra or throat chakra (the pit of the throat). Applying it here will enhance speech power.
Lastly, don’t forget to apply vibhuti on the Anahata chakra or heart chakra, the centre of the chest; and just behind the earlobes. Men can apply a little vibhuti on their right big toe as well. This is where the body’s longest nerve ends while women should apply it on their left big toe.
Association With Lord Shiva
The word ‘bhasma’ means ‘that by which our sins are destroyed’. One associates bhasma especially with Lord Shiva who is thought to apply it all over his body. Shaivites apply it on their forehead as tripundra or three parallel horizontal lines. When one applies a kumkum dot at the centre of the tripundra, the mark symbolizes Shiva, Shakti. This is the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe.
Some devotees apply it on different parts of their body such as upper arms, chest and throat. Ascetics rub it all over their body, especially those who maintain a dhuni or eternal fire. Many devotees also consume a pinch of it each time they receive it. They do this in order to redeem their sins and mitigate their physical sufferings.
