Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
by Arpita Chakraborty | 2013 | 33,902 words
This page relates ‘Importance of Sacred Ash’ 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.
7. Importance of Sacred Ash
According to Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad Bhusuṇḍa approched Kālāgnirudra (the fire and death like Rudra) and asked him, “Please tell me about the greatness of Vibhūti (Sacred ash—Vibhūti is generally prepared by burning cow dung at auspicious times.
Then Bhusuṇḍa asked,
“Please tell me the importance of wearing Vibhūti and Rudrākṣa”.
Kālāgnirudra replied,
“This has already been related along with phala śruti (resultant effect) by sage Paippalāda. There is nothing more to be told more than what he has said”.
Then Bhusuṇḍa asked,
“Tell me about the route to salvation as told by the great Jābāla (Bṛhajjābāla)”.
Kālāgnirudra agreed and started teaching.[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad I.1