The application of Holy Ash

The Holy Ash, that decorates the bodies of Lord shiva and shaivites, is very sacred
and there are prescriptions on how it needs to be adored and adorned. Here are few
of those. The two ways of getting adorned with holy ash are�tripuNDram, uddUlanam.
The first is applying the holy ash in the form of three distinct bands and the
second is sprinkling it on the part of the body.

Way 1

One simple way would be to chant�thirunIRRuppadhikam�(1) while taking the Holy ash
and while getting adorned with that chant the�aghora panchAxaram(The aghora Holy
Five Letters) which is�shivAya namaH.

Way 2

With clean hands take the Holy Ash chanting the sadyojAdAdi mantras and the mA no
mahantam mantra from shrI rudram.

Way 3

Those who perform rituals, perform shiva pUja should first take the holy ash
without adding water and sprinkle on their head, forehead, chest and two shoulders.
Later using the right hand index, middle and the ring finger take the holy ash,
keep in the left hand, close it with right hand and chant these mantras

panchakalA mantram

om nivRiti kalAyai namaH

om pratiShTA kalAyai namaH
om vidyA kalAyai namaH
om shAnti kalAyai namaH
om shAntyatIta kalAyai namaH

panchabrahma mantram

om IshAnAya namaH
om tatpuruShAya namaH
om aghorAya namaH
om vAmadevAya namaH
om sadyojAdAya namaH

ShDhaNga mantram

om hRidayAya namaH
om shirashe namaH
om shikAyai namaH
om kavachAya namaH
om netrAya namaH
om astrAya namaH

Then saying�hRidayAya namaH, add water and saying�kavachAya vauShaT, mix it. Chant
the first four of the above said�panchabrahma mantram�and apply (with the three
fingers of the right hand mentioned above - index, middle and ring fingers) the
holy ash paste on the first four places of the body. (See below for the list of
places where to apply holy ash). Chant the fifth mantram when applying at the other
parts of the body. While applying face up, so that the holy ash does not spill down
on the ground. If by mistake the holy ash spills on the ground, clean that area
with water.

The places to apply the holy ash on the body

vibhUti can be worn either in 32 places or 16 places or 8 places or five places.

32 Places

Head
Forehead
Two ears
Two eyes
Nose
Mouth
Neck
Two shoulders
Two elbows
Two wrists
Chest
Two ribs
Navel
Two sides of groin
Buttocks
Two UrUs
Two thighs
Two knees
Two ankles
Two feet
Total 32 Places

16 Places

Head
Forehead
2 ears
Neck
2 Shoulders
2 Elbows
2 Wrists
Chest
Navel
2 Ribs
Back
Total 16 places

8 Places

Head
Forehead
2 ears
2 Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total 8 places
5 Places

Forehead
2 Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total 5 places

Read more at: https://shaivam.org/information-to-know/the-application-of-holy-ash/

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