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Vibhuti (Sacred Ash)
Meaning & Significance
Vibhuti — the sacred ash — is smeared all over Shiva's body. It represents the impermanence of matter: everything will eventually become ash. It is the ultimate truth of existence.
The Story
When Shiva burned Kama with His third eye, He smeared the ashes on His body. Vibhuti also symbolizes the burning of karma and ego in the fire of knowledge. Devotees apply three lines of Vibhuti to represent the destruction of the three types of karma.