page_title: Brihajjabala Upanishad
section_title: Contents
hierarchical_section_title: Brihajjabala Upanishad / Contents
caption_attribution_description: English: Making of Vibhuti - This image shows a sivarathri muttan wherein the cow dung cakes are burnt to form vibhuti or sacred ash
context_page_description: The Brihajjabala Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishads, written in Sanskrit language. This Hindu text is attached to the Atharvaveda, and is one of 14 Shaiva Upanishads.
  It describes the process of producing Vibhuti, or sacred ash, methods of using it for tilaka Tripundra on various parts of the body, and its meaning in Shaivism. The text also mentions Rudraksha as prayer beads.
  Klaus Klostermaier classifies the Brihajjabala Upanishad along with the Bhasmajabala Upanishad, the Rudrakshajabala Upanishad, the Kalagni Rudra Upanishad and the Akshamalika Upanishad as Shaiva texts that explain symbolism of rites and objects of worship in Shaivism.
  It is also spelled as Brihad jabala Upanishad, Brihajjabalopanishad and Brihat Jabala Upanishad.
context_section_description: The Brihajjabala Upanishad is divided into 8 chapters called Brahmanas. It is presented as a conversation between Sage Bhusunda, a descendant of Sage Jabali (thus called Jabala) - identified with Sage Sanatkumara in the text, and Kalagni Rudra, a destructive form of the god Shiva who is identified with Bhairava.
  In the first Brahmana, Sage Bhusunda requests Kalagni Rudra to tell him about vibhuti (sacred ash). The god directs him to the text written by Sage Pippalada on the issue. Bhusunda insists to be told the knowledge of the Brihajjabala (the Great Jabala) scripture. Kalagni Rudra tells about five types of sacred ash: Vibhuti, Bhasita, Bhasma, Kshara, and Raksha. Each ash is associated with a form of Shiva, a mahabhuta (classical element), a Power (Kala), a cow and her dung. The form of Shiva is described to create an element from his face. From the element, rises a power, which in turn creates a different-coloured cow from whose dung, the sacred ash is created. Further, the origins of the name of the sacred ash are given.
  In the second Brahmana, the sage asks about Bhasma snana (bathing in sacred ash), which is the form of Agni (Fire) and Soma (Elixir of the gods, Moon). The interdependence of the opposites Agni and Soma is told. Agni is symbolized by Kalagni Rudra or Shiva, while Soma complements it as Shakti, Shiva's consort. Bhasma is equated to Agni, while water is Soma. Together, they constitute Bhasma snana. Mantras related to smearing of the Bhasma on the body are given. One who observes this ritual is said to attain mukti (liberation). One who burns himself by Shiva's Agni and cools himself by drops of Soma by the method of yoga is said to become immortal.
  In the third Brahmana, Bhusunda inquires about the method of making sacred ash. The characteristics of the cow whose dung can be used are listed. Dung of brown cow is considered most appropriate. The urine of a cow is suggested to be mixed in the dung. The rituals of extracting of the dung like worship of cow, collecting the urine and dung from its source before touching the ground and associated mantras are told. The mantras for mixing dung with urine, drying balls of the mixture and burning the dried balls are told. The balls are burnt for three days in a Homa (fire-sacrifice), which is fuelled with corn chaff. On fourth day, the ash is extracted and mixed with perfume water or cow urine and various powders like sandalwood, kumkum and so forth. Finally, cakes of this mixture are dried and used as Bhasma. Four types of Bhasma which grant salvation are listed. Anukalpa is the result of Agnihotra and Virujanala fire sacrifices. Upakalpa is created by burning dried cow dung from the forest according to the directives of the Grihya Sutra texts. Upopakalpa is made by burning cow dung with cow urine according to the directives of the Kalpa scriptures. Akalpa is obtained from Shiva temples.
  In the fourth Brahmana, the seer asks about the method of Bhasma snana ("ash-bath"), smearing one with Bhasma. Kalagni Rudra tells about two types: Malasnana (bathing for dirt removal) and Vidhisnana (bathing by rituals). Malasnana is application of Bhasma on the entire body; mantras for application on the body are told. Vidhisnana is application of the Bhasma on specific parts of the body like head, face, chest, feet and "secret parts" (groin). The mantras for the same are listed. Further, times when the Bhasma snana should be done are told, e.g. twilight, after eating, after touching a woman, cat, eagle etc. While worshipping gods, the guru, sages or approaching the sacred fire or in places of impurity, the Tripundra, the Shaiva tilaka in form of three horizontal lines of ash, are recommended to be applied. Bhusunda probes about the rules of Tripundra further. The Tripundra is prescribed by Kalagni Rudra to be applied on 32, 16, 8 or 5 spots on the body, which are listed along with the presiding deities of those locations. Instead of the complete Bhasma snana, Tripundra can be applied to the elbows, forearms, back, head, and forehead; the mantras, presiding deities of appli
caption: Cow dung being burnt to create Bhasma.
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