Vibhuti
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Vibhuti (Sanskrit:विभूतिः; vibhūtiḥ) is a word that has several meanings in Hinduism.[1] The word is found in other Indian languages in addition to Sanskrit.
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[edit] Sacred ash
Vibhuti is the sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism. The vibhuti ash is generally the residue from a sacred fire (Homa).
The ash has several symbolic meanings.
- Placed on the forehead of devotees, it serves as a sectarian mark (tilaka). The practice of smearing holy ash on the forehead also exists in Zoroastrianism.
- In worship connected with Lord Shiva it is a symbol of purity and is one of the main sacraments given at pūjā in all Śaivite temples and shrines.[2]
- The ash thus serves as a reminder to the believer to cast away selfish and worldly desires that wrap the self in maya, and calls to mind the story of how Shiva burned Kama (the god of desire) to ashes when Kama attempted to break Shiva's focus on the Divine Truth.[citation needed]
[edit] Glorious attributes
Vibhuti can refer to glorious attributes of the divine, and in this context is translated as 'all pervading', 'superhuman power', 'wealth' and so on.
[edit] Paranormal powers
Vibhuti (powers) can refer to paranormal powers that some believe can be developed by yoga practices.
[edit] Vibhuti Pada
Patanjali in the Vibhuti Pada of the Yoga Sutras, mentions many different vibhutis:
- Knowledge of the past and future
- Understanding the sounds (language) of all beings
- Knowledge of previous existences
- Knowing the minds of others
- Invisibility
- Suspending the ability of the body to be heard, touched, tasted, or smelled
- Foreknowledge of the time of death
- Strength of any attitude (such as friendliness)
- Super strength (such as the strength of an elephant)
- Knowledge of subtle, hidden, remote things
- Knowledge of worlds, realms, universes, etc.
- Knowledge of the arrangement of stars, planets, etc.
- Knowledge of the movement of stars, planets, etc.
- Knowledge of the arrangement of systems in the body
- Freedom from hunger and thrist
- Attainment of steadiness or immobility
- Visions of Siddhas (perfected beings)
- Knowledge of anything and everything
- Knowledge of the mind
- Knowledge of pure consciousness (purusha)
- Psychic hearing, touch, vision, taste, and smell
- Entering and controlling the bodies of others
- Ability to float or walk on water, swamps, thorns, and other such objects
- Ability to glow or radiate light around the body
- Super hearing (hearing at vast distances)
- Ability to fly
- Mastery over the elements (earth, water, fire, air, space)
- Making the body atomically small, indestructible, perfect
- Perfection of the body in beauty, strength, grace, and brilliance
- Mastery over the senses
- Quickness of the mind, perception with the senses
- Supremacy over all states of existence, omnipotence
- Higher knowledge
- Discriminating knowledge
- Absolute freedom (kaivalyam)
[edit] Vibhuti Yoga in the Gita
In Chapter 10 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled Vibhuti Yoga, Krishna uses the term vibhuti to describe divine attributes such as magnificence, splendour, glory and prosperity.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Apte, Vaman Shivram. "A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary" p. 866.
- ^ Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Loving Gaṇeśa. (Himalayan Academy: 1996) p. 692. ISBN 0-945497-64-4
[edit] Further reading
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
- Yoga Sutras word-for-word translation
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