Applying Vibhuti as Per Shaiva Tantra

The detailed explanation on bhasma application can be found in the snāna vidhiḥ of Kāmika Āgama, Pūrva pāda. For ritual purposes, bhasma must be adorned at at least 16 places.

Most Śivācārya-s use the instructions from the Śaiva Paddhati today. I have penned the method of applying bhasma as per Somaśambhu Paddhati, my lineage.

Bhasma dhāraṇam (as per paddhati)

First, energize the bhasma. Consecrate it with the recital of Saṁhitā mantras.

Next, take a pinch of bhasma using your ring and thumb (divya mudrā) and sprinkle it from head to toe gently, like a bath, chanting the astra mantra:

ॐ हः अस्त्राय फट् oṁ haḥ astrāya phaṭ 

While doing this, you can also draw a line from the upper arm to the wrist, like a straight line, using the same divya mudra. This is called bhasma lepam.

Image: Bhasma lepam as evidenced by the linear line from the proximal arm to distal forearm

Then, place some bhasma on your left palm. With your right hand, pour a drop of water into the bhasma chanting the hṛdaya mantra

ॐ हृदयाय वौषट्

oṁ hṛdayāya vauṣaṭ

This is to cleanse the bhasma.

Then, mix the bhasma with the water to form a paste with your ring finger chanting the kavaca mantra:

ॐ कवचाय नमः

oṁ kavacāya namaḥ

As you do this, rub both palms and smear the bhasma all over them.

Now we are going to apply it on 16 places.

With the bhasma, touch all the fingers of the right hand with the thumb to form a beak. Touch the crown of the head three times chanting the īśāna mantra:

ॐ होँ ईशानमूर्धाय नमः

oṁ hoṁ īśānamūrdhāya namaḥ

If your hair is distracting, you can touch at the point at which the hairline begins.

Then, bend all fingers, extending only the index, middle, and ring fingers. Leave gaps between the fingers. The gap between the ring and middle finger represents Lord Gaṇeśa. The gap between the middle and index finger represents Skanda. The ring finger represents Brahmā, the middle finger Viṣṇu, and the index finger Rudra.

Apply the bhasma from one end of the forehead (use the end of the eyebrow as the landmark) to the other end. It should be 6 aṅgulas. Don't extend it up to the ears.

Recite the Tatpuruṣa mantra as you apply the bhasma on the forehead:

ओं हें तत्पुरुषवक्त्राय नमः

oṃ heṃ tatpuruṣavaktrāya namaḥ

As the paddhati quotes:

भ्रूवादि भ्रूपर्यन्तम्

Bhrūvādi bhrūparyantam

Meaning: Begin from the brow and end at the brow.

Then apply it for 6 aṅgulas at the chest. Use the nipple line as the mark, from one end to the other end. At the chest, recite the aghora mantra as you apply:

ओं हुं अघोरहृदयाय नमः

oṃ huṃ aghorahṛdayāya namaḥ

Apply on the shoulder, at the uppermost part of the deltoid, for 6 aṅgulas. Here, you can chant the hṛdaya mantra or the Sadyojāta mantra:

ओं हां हृदयाय नमः

oṃ hāṃ hṛdayāya namaḥ

or

ओं हं सद्योजातमूर्तये नमः

oṃ haṃ sadyojātamūrtaye namaḥ

You should only apply 6 aṅgula length on these 4 specified spots.

Next,

Apply 1 aṅgula length just above the navel. Chant the Vāmadeva mantra:

ओं हिं वामदेवगुह्याय नमह्

oṃ hiṃ vāmadevaguhyāya namah

Apply 1 aṅgula at the elbow. Chant the hṛdaya mantra or the Sadyojāta mantra ( except in application on knee ). The same applies to the remaining parts:

1 aṅgula at the wrists.

1 aṅgula at both knees with Sadyōjāta mantra only.

1 aṅgula at the flanks (at the back). The landmark is the depression you have at the lower back spine.

1 aṅgula at the back, just below the neck.

1 aṅgula at the throat.

A variation is instead of applying at the lower back flanks (2 spots), they apply at the ears.

There is also a count for the application (how many times you smear the bhasma from one end to the other):

Three times on the crown (Īśāna mantra). Here, you strike thrice

Three times on the forehead (Tatpuruṣa mantra). Rub from one end to another, go back, and return. A total of three smears.

Three times on the chest (Aghora mantra)

Once just above the navel (Vāmadeva mantra)

Apply on the knee once with the Sadyōjāta mantra

The other limbs can be applied with Hṛdaya mantra / Sadyōjāta mantra once

After applying, you should pour some water and wash off the bhasma. Do not discard the water. Cup the water in the palms. In kumbha mudrā, where you cup both hands, bring the hands above the crown and allow the bhasma residual water to trickle down on your head and body. Chant:

ॐ शिवाय स्वाहा

oṁ śivāya svāhā

Then, Perform tādanam. Hit the left palm with the three fingers of your right hand thrice chanting:

ॐ हः अस्त्राय फट्

oṁ haḥ astrāya phaṭ

Then, take an udharaṇi of water and rinse your hand chanting the kavaca mantra:

ॐ हैं कवचाय नमः

oṁ haiṃ kavacāya namaḥ

Terminology

1. Tripuṇḍra dhāraṇam (mixing bhasma with water and applying lines).

2. Bhasma dhāraṇam is the general smearing of bhasma without water.

3. Uddhūlanam is when you apply it like powder. This is done when you are not in an ideal state to apply as per procedure. Let us say due to an illness.

Precaution

In case you drop some of the energized bhasma, pick it up from the ground reciting the hṛdaya mantra and smear it back to your body.

Reclaiming Bhasma The practice of applying bhasma carries deep emotional resonance and holds profound ritualistic value. It is not merely a symbol but a strong marker of our cultural identity and ancestral heritage. Sadly, the boomer generation, to a significant extent, distanced themselves from this tradition—at times even portraying it negatively. Bhasma was mocked, dismissed as unprofessional, and marginalized in mainstream media, particularly those shaped by that generation’s worldview. But the tide is shifting. Today’s Gen Z appears more open, self-aware, and ready to reconnect with practices rooted in authenticity.

Image: My medical student who applies bhasma daily, at all times, during leisure or to the hospital.

A Simple Challenge 

Wear bhasma—to work, to family functions, or even casual outings. Let others raise their eyebrows. Let them laugh. So what? If you allow public opinion to outweigh a sacred tradition passed down through generations, you risk raising future generations with a diluted or lost identity.