Why Vibhuti(Sacred Ash) Is Applied Across Forehead…??

Vibhuti (Sacred ash) is associated with lord Shiva. His body is smeared with ashes. There are three horizontal lines of ashes across his forehead.

We can see Naga Sadhus (Naked sages) smear their body with ashes or any other sages or cult who follows Saivism apply Vibhuti across their forehead or on their body to honor lord Shiva. That is considered auspicious. At some holy places, people not only apply the Vibhuti across their forehead or on their body, but also eat that as Prasadam. It is said that – it purifies the soul and elevates the devotees of lord Shiva.

Once Kamadeva tried to instill a desire in Shiva to get married with Parvati. On this, lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Kamadeva into ashes.

Once three Asura brothers created three cities made of three metals (Gold, Silver and Iron) in the Sky, the earth and the heaven which created an imbalance and havoc in the universe. No one but lord Shiva was invoked for the help. Lord Shiva burnt three cities along with three Asura brothers into ashes and applied the ashes across his forehead in three horizontal lines.

Why Vibhuti is so important…? Why it is said that after taking Vibhuti as Prasadam or applying across the forehead or on the body, all suffering vanish…?

What`s the spiritual meaning veiled under the veneer of Vibhuti by unveiling which all the worldly sufferings vanish and peace and happiness flow…?

For lord Shiva, no birth and no death. He is changeless and eternal. Ash also contains the same characteristic. Whatever is burnt is converted into ash. And Ash cannot be burnt further. This is the last result of whatever is burnt. This indicates the ultimate wisdom of changeless and eternal.

To reach the proximity of the characteristic of lord Shiva, we have to get rid of our unnecessary desires which is the hindrance in experiencing the divinity within. Desire is the root cause of suffering and miseries of the world. Lord Shiva burnt desire which approach him in the form of Kamadeva.

There would be no fear, suffering and miseries in the world of suffering for those who have incinerated their desires. No power can snatch happiness and calmness from that person.

Unnecessary desires make us slaves. And a slave person cannot live a happy, harmonious and peaceful life. It is said that until and unless our all desires are not fulfilled, there would be interminable birth and death. Where there is birth and death, there would be the sufferings and miseries also. Lord Shiva is beyond birth, death and suffering.

Three Asura brothers and their created three cities are the symbolism of arrogance, negativity and revenge. In whichever society, there would be feeling of arrogance, negativity and revenge, there would always be mayhem and agitation in that society. No one can live in happiness and peace in that environment.

To restore the joy, harmony and tranquility, the castle of arrogance, negativity and revenge along with their creators must be seared into ashes. That is what lord Shiva did. And as a reminder for the devotees, he applied those ashes across his forehead.

It is said that by visiting lord Shiva`s temples and taking the Vibhuti, the stream of our suffering, miseries and anxiety evaporate and shower of bliss and serenity pour in.

It happens because of the comprehension of the profound spiritual meaning hidden in Vibhuti.  If its meaning is not conceived and contemplated, there would not much change in the mental state of the visitors.

Through this medium lord Shiva wants to convey a message to his devotees –Do not worry – one day everybody is going to become ash only. Whether you are rich or poor, handsome or ugly, tall or short, black or white or whoever you are, you are going to become ash only. You are going to leave everything here only due to which you are in worry and depression.

The Vibhuti applied across our forehead keeps reminding us that before time engulf us and make us ash, burn all your unnecessary desires and negativities and make yourself free. Until and unless you become free from the attachment of the materialistic world, neither you will be happy here nor hereafter.

We are here on this planet for a certain period of time. Do not make this life a burden.  Before you become ash, live your life to the fullest. To convey this in-depth philosophy of life, ash is associated with lord Shiva who is symbol of soul which never borns and dies. To which fire cannot burn, weapons cannot pierce.