Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘8a. Five kinds of Bhasma’ 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 Upaniṣads are ancient philosophical and theological treatises. Out of the 108 Upanishads mentioned in the Muktikopanishad, 15 are classified as Saiva-Upanisads.
8a. Five kinds of Bhasma
[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.10
“Sadyojāta” the face of Īśvara facing eastwards, through the Mantra, “I surrender myself completely unto the Sadyojāta,” there came into existence the earth. Therefrom came forth the Kalā known as Nivṛtti (detachment). Therefrom came into being the cow known as Nandā[1], of a tawny colour.
From the dung of that cow, purified and prepared in the prescribed manner, was produced the ashes known as Vibhūti.
[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.11
“Vāmadeva” the face of Īśvara facing west, through the Mantra, “I surrender myself completely unto the Vāmadeva”, there came into existence water. Therefrom issued forth the Kalā known as Pratistha (accomplishment). Therefrom came into being the cow known as Bhadrā[2], of a dark colour. From the dung of that cow (purified and prepared in the prescribed manner) was produced the ashes known as Bhasita.
[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.12
“Aghora”, the face of Īśvara facing southwards through the Mantra, “I surrender myself completely to the Aghora,” there came into existence fire. Therefrom issued forth the Kalā known as Vidyā (learning). Therefrom came into existence the cow known as Surabhi[3] of a red colour.
From the dung of that cow (purified and prepared in the prescribed manner) was produced the ashes known as Bhasma.
[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.13
“Tatpuruṣa”, the face of Īśvara facing the north through the Mantra, “I surrender myself completely unto the Tatpuruṣa,” there came into existence air; therefrom issued forth the Kalā known as Śānti (tranquillity). Therefrom came to be the cow known as Suśīlā,[4] of a white colour.
From the dung of that cow (purified and prepared in the prescribed manner) was produced the ashes known as Kṣāra.
[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.14
“Īśāna”, the face of Īśvara in the middle of the aforesaid four faces, through the Mantra, “I surrender myself completely unto Īśāna,” there came into existence ether. Therefrom issued forth the Kalā known as Śāntyatītā (what transcends tranquillity). Therefrom came to be the cow known as Sumanā, of a variegated colour.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Nandā [...]
[2]:
Bhadrā [...]
[3]:
Surabhi [...]
[4]:
Suśīlā [...]