Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates 鈥楤hasmajabala Upanishad (Introduction)鈥� of the study on the Shaiva Upanishads in English, comparing them with other texts dealing with the Shiva cult (besides the Agamas and Puranas). The 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲s are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1. Bhasmaj膩b膩la 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲 (Introduction)
Bhasmaj膩b膩la 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲 This 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲 gives the following account for Bhasma[1] and 顿丑腻谤补峁嘺. 鈥淥nce Bhusu峁囜笉a, a descendant of 闯腻产腻濒颈 went to the 碍补颈濒腻蝉补 Peak and prostrated before Lord 惭补丑腻诲别惫补 艢颈惫补, who is the form of 翱峁僰腻谤补 and who is beyond the trinity of 叠谤补丑尘腻, 痴颈峁ａ箛耻 and Rudra.
Bhusu峁囜笉a worshipped 艢颈惫补 with great devotion and questioned Lord 艢颈惫补:
鈥淟ord! Kindly impart to me the essential knowledge of all the Vedas, and austerities connected with Bhasma and 顿丑腻谤补峁嘺, because it is an independent means for attaining Liberation. What is the Bhasma made of? Where should it be applied? What are the Mantras to be recited? Who are the persons fitted for this? What are the rules regarding it? Kindly instruct me.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Bhasmaj膩b膩la 鲍辫补苍颈峁诲 1.鈥擝hasma or 痴颈产丑奴迟颈 (the sacred ash) is extolled in the scriptures.鈥擲ince it showers prosperity (产丑奴迟颈), it is called (痴颈产丑奴迟颈) (aisvaryak膩 ran膩t 产丑奴迟颈h). It also means 鈥榞lory鈥� or excellence. In the Bhagavad 骋墨迟腻 the tenth chapter is called 痴颈产丑奴迟颈 yoga (yoga of glory). 骋墨迟腻 itself declares 鈥渨hatever is prossessed of excellence, prosperity and strength, know that to be born an aspect of My glory鈥�. Sacred ash is 艢颈惫补's own fiery power (rudr膩gne-yat param v墨ryam tad bhasma).