Upanishads · Bhasmajābāla 1.14
॥
Devanāgarī
तत्र ब्रह्ममन्त्राः पञ्च । ततः शेषस्य भस्मनो विनियोगः । तर्जनीमध्यमानामिकाभिरग्नेर्भस्मासीति भस्म संगृह्य
Transliteration (IAST)
tatra brahmamantrāḥ pañca | tataḥ śeṣasya bhasmano viniyogaḥ | tarjanīmadhyamānāmikābhiragnerbhasmāsīti bhasma saṃgṛhya
Word-by-word
SanskritIASTMeaning
तत्र ब्रह्म-मन्त्राः पञ्चtatra brahma-mantrāḥ pañcathere the brahma-mantras are five
ततः शेषस्य भस्मनः विनियोगःtataḥ śeṣasya bhasmanaḥ viniyogaḥthen — the application of the remaining ash
तर्जनी-मध्यमा-अनामिकाभिःtarjanī-madhyamā-anāmikābhiḥwith the index, middle, and ring fingers
अग्नेः भस्म असि इतिagneḥ bhasma asi iti«you are the ash of fire», thus
भस्म संगृह्यbhasma saṃgṛhyahaving gathered the ash
Translation
«There the brahma-mantras are five. Then — the application of the remaining ash. With the index, middle, and ring fingers, [saying] «you are the ash of fire», having gathered the ash…»
Version
ba4c6b4094dc · published Aug 12, 2026, 5:00:00 AM UTC
Available inRUENPage between verses with
Three fingers are named with which the ash is taken: the index, the middle, and the ring finger. Compare this with what was discussed when reading Yoga-kuṇḍalinī (1.36): there, when closing the nostrils, the index finger was excluded, and it was noted that in Indian custom it is the pointing, accusing finger. Here, on the contrary, it is used. That is, the rule is not universal but depends on the action: where one takes with the fingers — one uses it; where one touches the face — one does not.
This detail is worth mentioning, for it shows how concrete such rules are. They are not derived from a general principle; they arise from habit and convenience, and each has its own place. Hence a piece of advice good for reading all ritual books: one need not look for deep meaning in every detail. Some details mean a great deal, others mean only that it is more convenient this way; and telling them apart requires knowing the practice.
The word viniyoga, «application», is in ritual books a special word: it denotes the indication of what a given mantra is applied to and when. And that it is placed here at the remainder of the ash shows the frugality of the rite: even the remainder has its use and is not thrown away.