How to prepare Vibhuthi ? How to wear it? Did it originate in Vedic times?

How to prepare  Vibhuthi ? How to wear  it?  Did it originate  in Vedic times?

By

P.R.Ramachander

These    are the questions each Shaivite  may have   in his mind. The information about is given  in a great Upanishad called  Brihad Jabala  Upanishad . This upanishad  is part  of Atharva Veda .

 It gives in great detail    about the  three types of Vibhuthi   viz Anukalpa(collecting ash from Yaga kunda)   , upakalpa (collecting cow dung fallen in the forest  , drying and burning it)  , upopa Kalpa (Collecting  cowdung, mixing it with cow urine, drying   and burning it)   and Shiva kalpa(collecting it from Shiva temples) .Please note that  burning dried cactus   as done in  Pazhani is not mentioned here.Possibly that  is Shanmuga  Vibhuthi.

This vibhuthi    should be applied as follows:-

Afterwards Busunda enquired with Bhagawan Kalagni Rudra about wearing Vibhuthi in three lines. What he said was:

On the forehead, you have to apply with the mantra, “Brahmane Namah! (Salutations to Brahma)”.

On the chest, you have to apply with the mantra, “Havyavahanaya Namah! (Salutations to he who rides the horse)”.

On the stomach, you have to apply with the mantra, “Skandaya Namah! (Salutations to Subrahmanya)”.

On the neck, you have to apply with the mantra, “Vishnave Namaj! (Salutations to Lord Vishnu)”.

In the middle, you have to apply with the mantra, “Prapanchanaya Namah! (Salutations to him who pervades in the entire world)”.

On the wrists, you have to apply with the mantra, “Vasubhyo Namah! (salutations to him who is like nectar)”.

On the back, you have to apply with the mantra, “Haraye Namah! (Salutations to Lord Hari)”.

On the top, you have to apply with the mantra, “Shambhave Namag! (Salutations to Lord Shiva)”.

On the head, you have to apply with the mantra, “Paramathmane Namah! (Salutations to the great soul which is in all beings)”. 

For more details refer  my  translation of this great Upanishad - http://www.vedarahasya.net/brihadjabala.htm

    Your natural reaction would  be “No one told me “. Yes , that is the truth. Do you know that  all Lingayath(veera Shaiva)   women apply Vibhuthi  in the above manner  . In our homes   the cow dung used to be dried    in  balls and burnt on Shiva Rathri day   and preserved. One basket would be hanging  in the  corner of the house . While we used to go take bath in tank , without forgetting we used  to take it.