Vibhuti, also called Bhasma (ash), Thiruneeruand Vibhooti, is a word that has several meanings in Hinduism. Generally, it is used to denote the sacred ash which is made of burnt dried wood in Āgamic rituals. It’s believed that the holy ash also called ‘vibhuti’ or ‘bhasma’ protects man against all evil forces.
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According to the Indian scriptures, bhasma means ‘‘that by which our sins are destroyed and the Bhagwan Shiv is remembered’’, this, in turn, signifies its inclusion in the worship of Bhagwan Shiva. Adding to that a shiva lingam that is smeared with the holy ash is a common sight at shrines. Hence, to show one’s respect to Bhagwan Shiva, he/she who renounces worldly practices and the person who completely rejects material pleasures, become a devotee and can wear ash on his forehead.
Vibhuti has certain healing properties that help to relieve some illnesses. Our ancestors practised applying vibuthi on a daily basis as it prevents from falling sick. The ash is said to absorb excess moisture from the body which helps to relieve from cold and headaches. Vibhuti created from sacred fire (Homa) also contains positive energy. This energy prevents our body from the attack of negative energy in our body. This relieves our body from pain and mental stress.
Traditionally, vibhuti is taken between your thumb and your ring finger – you don’t have to pick up a lot of it, just a little bit – and applied between the eyebrows, known as the agna chakra, at the pit of the throat known as the vishuddhi chakra, and in the centre of the chest where the ribcage meets, known as the anahata chakra. Vibhuti is applied at the anahata so that you receive life as love. It is applied at the vishuddhi so that you receive life as power; power does not mean just physical or mental power, there are so many ways in which a human being can be powerful.