The ascetic devotees completely smeared with Sacred Ash. 
The Lord, who burnt the three cities just with a smile, who burnt Kama deva by a mere glance, who dances when all of creation is reduced to ash before the next cycle, his holy blessing is the Sacred Ash (Vibhuti / Bhasma). The three types of Sacred Ash - kalpa, anukalpa, and upakalpa. One should accept these as they purify flaws like desire. That ash which is other than the above three and should not be accepted is called akalpa. 

The droppings of cows, that yield the panchgavya, are collected directly by hand as they fall while chanting the gomaya mantra . In the sacred fire grown for Lord Shiva with the Shiva mantra, praised by the celestial beings, the cow dung is laid while saluting the Holy Feet of the Three-eyed Lord. The resulting ash is the pure kalpam.

The dung that is dried in the forests is gathered, finely powdered and made wet with the urine of cows. This is then kneaded into balls chanting the astra mantra and cast into the ritual fire. The properly burnt ash thus collected is the anukalpam.

Ash from - burnt trees and shrubs in a forest, fire in the cow pen, kilns where bricks are baked and a few such burnt down places, is collected. Then balls are made by mixing the urine of cows chanting the relevant mantras and then consigned to the ritual fire. Ash thus obtained is called upakalpam.

Taking the Sacred Ash humbly while chanting the Shiva mantra, the servitors of the Lord adorn themselves. Any praise is too little for Sacred Ash that bears fruit for devotees who wear it with respect by kindling spiritual progress. The ascetics besmear themselves with this holy substance praising God. Let the Sacred Ash and its greatness glorified by the Muzhuniru Pusiya Munivar stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Last day of Panguni or Mina 

Har Har Mahadev

Note: 
This chapter in periya purANam describes in detail how to prepare the Holy Ash and how to wear it.

• The puranam of Muzhu Neeru Poosiya Munivar in English Poetry
• முழுநீறு பூசிய முனிவர் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• முழுநீறுபூசிய முனிவர் நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• पवित्र भस्म से लिप्त तपस्वी भक्त (मुलुनीरु पूसिय मुनिवर)

See Also:
1. Thirunitru padhikam

Back to the list of Nayanmar