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Shiva Purana

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सूत उवाच । द्विविधं भस्म संप्रोक्तं सर्वमंगलदं परम् । तत्प्रकारमहं वक्ष्ये सावधानतया शृणु १ ।

Sūta said: The ashes (bhasma) of auspicious nature are of two types. I shall explain their characteristics. Please listen attentively.

english translation

एकं ज्ञेयं महाभस्म द्वितीयं स्वल्पसंज्ञकम् । महाभस्म इति प्रोक्तं भस्म नानाविधं परम् २ ।

One is known as Mahābhasma (Great ashes) and the second is known as Svalpa (the little). The Mahābhasma is of various types.

english translation

तद्भस्म त्रिविधं प्रोक्तं श्रोतं स्मार्तं च लौकिकम् । भस्मैव स्वल्पसंज्ञं हि बहुधा परिकीर्तितम् ३ ।

It is of three types: Śrauta, (Vedic), Smārta (resulting from Smṛti rites) and Laukika (prepared from ordinary fire). The Svalpa is the ordinary ash which is of various forms.

english translation

श्रौतं भस्म तथा स्मार्तं द्विजानामेव कीर्तितम् । अन्येषामपि सर्वेषामपरं भस्म लौकिकम् ४ ।

The Śrauta and the Smārta ashes are to be used only by the twice-born. The Laukika can be used by every one.

english translation

धारणं मंत्रतः प्रोक्तं द्विजानां मुनिपुंगवैः । केवलं धारणं ज्ञेयमन्येषां मंत्रवर्जितम् ५ ।

Sages have said that the twice-born should apply the holy ashes repeating mantras. The others can simply apply without any mantra.

english translation