Guru Basava (1134-1196) Lingayat Religion Lingayat Religion
Kannada  लिंगायत धर्म हिन्दी मे | ಲಿಂಗಾಯತ ಧರ್ಮ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ |
Question Answers (Forum)  VIBHŪTI (BHASMA or BHASITA): [ವಿಭೂತಿ
or ಭಸ್ಮ, ಭಸಿತ]  Vibhūthi, which is believed to be holy ash, is
an article of faith. The ash, which the devotee is asked to
smear himself with, is a symbol of ash that the desire is
reduced to. One who reduces his desires to ash by means of the
fire called knowledge (Jñyāna) is real 'śivayōgi' [ಶಿವಯೋಗಿ]. It
is figuratively said that his mind, intellect, sense, and the
whole gross body are made up of vibhūti. Those who want to
emulate him must start spiritual life with the symbolic act of
smearing vibhūti on the different parts of their person. One who
is told by the guru that it is only a symbolic act leading
nowhere, and that the real aim is burning the desires by the
knowledge of fire, leaves such practices behind.
Aiśvarya,[ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯ] which is a synonym of vibhūti means lordship.
One who has control over his senses is īśvara [ಈಶ