20. Method and Mantra of Application of Ash

[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad IV.33

Afterwards Bhusuṇḍa enquired with Bhagavan Kālāgni Rudra about wearing Vibhūti in three lines. What he said was: On the forehead, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Brahmane Namaḥ ! (Salutations to Brahma)”. On the chest, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Havyavāhanāya Namaḥ ! (Salutations to he who rides the horse)”. On the stomach, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Skandāya Namaḥ ! (Salutations to Subrahmaṇya)”. On the neck, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Viṣṇave Namaḥ! (Salutations to Lord Viṣṇu)”.In the middle, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Prabhañjanāya Namaḥ ! (Salutations to him who pervades in the entire world)”.On the wrists, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Vasubhyo Namaḥ ! (salutations to him who is like nectar)”. On the back, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Haraye Namaḥ ! (Salutations to Lord Hari)”. On the top, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Śambhave Namaḥ ! (Salutations to Lord Śiva)”. On the head, you have to apply with the Mantra, “Paramātmane Namaḥ ! (Salutations to the great soul which is in all beings)”. In each of these places, you have to apply in a set of three lines.

When we are wearing;

[...] Bṛhajjābāla Upaniṣad IV.34

Vibhūti on the forehead and meditate on the great Lord who has three eyes, who is the basis of three qualities and who makes everything visible in sets as “Namaḥ Śivāya!”. Apply Vibhūti chanting “Pitṛubhyo Namaḥ !” below the forearm. Above that apply chanting “Īśābhyām Namaḥ !” and on sides chanting “Īśābhyām Namaḥ!” and on the forearms chanting “Svacchābhyām Namaḥ!” and on back sides chanting “Bhīmāya Namaḥ !”. On both flanks of the belly put Vibhūti chanting “Śivāya Namaḥ !” and on the head chanting “Nīlakaṇṭhāya Sarvātmane Namaḥ !”. This would remove the effects of sins done in the previous births.^[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid IV. 33-37. [...]