Vibhuti : — A scientific analysis of the sacred ash
Bhasma or vibhuti is the sacred ash from the dhuni or fire where varities of wood, ghee, herbs, grains and other auspicious and purifying items are offered for worship along with mantras. Culturally, we attach a lot of importance to applying vibhuti or bhasma and this is a common practice in India. Also there are several beliefs and stories attached to the usage of Vibhuti.
In Sanskrit, Bhoothi means Aishwaryam, which roughly translates to prosperity. Vi-bhoothi with an Upasarga (preposition “vi”) accentuates it to something extremely valuable.
While there might be some religious beliefs of applying vibhuti on the forehead, in this article we will try and analyse the effects and mechanisms of Vibhuti, through the limitations and horizons of modern sciences.
Let’s break down this analysis to two simple paradigms :
- Skin
- Plexuses / Chakra
Skin:
Human bodies are equipped with a very complex external cellular layer, the skin itself. It can sweat, turn pale or red to indicate range of emotions and also as a response to different conditions; both internal and external. Certainly exposure of skin to different environments and elements does have effects on the internal functioning of body. Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity. E.g.: — Thallium poisoning happens via the skin.
Ancient sciences knew the methods to capitalize on this absorption ; hence in Vibhuti, certain elements like gold are used. Adsorption of such elements definitely happens via the skin. But is there a proof of the same?
Well here’s a scientific research to justify the claims.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21319954/
Probably our ancestors were aware of these substances and their effects, and how to use them for our benefits? That’s why, there were different types of Vibhutis made of materials, based on experiments and observations. Some typical examples of these would be.
- Swarna bhasma is prepared from gold
- Godanti bhasma is prepared from gypsum
- Shankh bhasma is prepared from conch shell
- Mandur bhasma is prepared from iron oxide, and
- Vanga bhasma is prepared from tin.
Listing a few practical use cases, as examples.
- Applying bhasma on forehead helps to relieve a headache caused because of excessive sun exposure; for the materials used can have a coolant effect when water slowly evaporates out, especially in the torrid subcontinental weather where perspiration is pretty common. This works exactly as a clay pot zeer is used as a refrigerator in African nations, or our indigenous ‘Ghatam’ or ‘Ghada’.
- There are also Bhasma’s which contain special types of elements depending on their medicinal values; Eg Neem (Azadirachta Indica) bark and Arjuna Bark are used specifically for the purpose of disinfection.
Chakras/Plexuses
The chakra system, describes the subtle energy fields present in our bodies. The seven main chakras on the body are usually located from the base of pelvis to the top of the head. Other smaller chakras are also thought to be present. While some others are thought to continue beneath the body as energy connections to the Earth and as energy connection to the Sky. Interestingly. the chakras located on/within the physical body, and in particular those located within the main torso of the body: root, sacral, solar plexus and heart. All of these correspond to functions of different organs. For example, the heart chakra corresponds to the organ of the heart while the solar plexus connects with the organ of the stomach and processes of digestion, etc. Interestingly some of the main chakra positions bear an extraordinarily close resemblance to the nervous system which we now know from the science of anatomy and physiology.
The peripheral nervous system, or PNS, is part of the nervous system. It consists of the nerves and ganglia which are outside the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). The main function of the PNS is to connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the limbs and organs. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) an part of PNS is an automatic system outside of conscious control that regulates bodily processes such as heartbeat, breathing and digestion. It is vital for helping remain in a state of equilibrium, and responds to cues from the environment — a delicate balance of action/stimulation and relaxation. The autonomic system is made up of the sympathetic nervous system, which will ready the body for action, increase heart rate and glucose, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which enables the body to relax, promotes digestion and lowers heart rate. Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibres converge at “plexuses” in the body cavities. These are big groups of nerve cells bundled together and branching outward toward the body organs or inward to relay messages to the cranial brain.
Four of these main plexuses include the cardiac plexus, the celiac plexus, the superior hypogastria plexus and the inferior hypo gastric plexus. The position and connection to vital organs can also be correlated with the main chakras of the body. The cardiac plexus is located above the aortic arch of the heart, about midway on the chest. The nerves from/to this plexus innervate the heart. The celiac plexus, which may also be known as the solar plexus in both modern spiritual and scientific thinking, is located at the base of the ribs close to the stomach. The nerves of this plexus innervate the stomach and other major organs including the pancreas and liver. This corresponds to the position of the solar plexus energy centre in the chakra system. The superior hypogastric plexus connects to the ovarian plexuses in women and the testicular plexuses in men. Its location at the lower abdomen correlates to the sacral chakra, and its long-time association with reproduction, fertility and creation. The inferior hypogastric plexus is a continuation of the superior hypogastric plexus and is situated in the lower pelvic region. In women it connects nerves to the uterus and cervix and in men it connects to the prostate. It also connects to the rectum and bladder. So this plexus corresponds to the root chakra, the base of the body and the fundamental capacity for life.
Forehead Chakra , the Ajna Chakra is no different. and that is one of the common places where Vibhuti is applied.
And of course, there are also other plexuses to direct our thoughts, such as the pharyngeal plexus at the throat which in some cases connects to vocal cord innervation(Around the Visshudi Chakra). Or the superior and inferior mesenteric plexuses, which are located between the celiac plexus (solar plexus) and the superior hypogastric plexus (sacral chakra). The Vagus Nerve directly which is the longest cranial nerve, has its exposures to Chakra. Well, with all this space in between there might be room for some more chakras too. Considering the presence of these; stimulation of either of these centres can result in inducing effects in other parts of the body, which is elaborately studied in Reflexology and Acupressure. Even an experienced masseur can help induce sleep or restore vitality by the his expertise of the human body, affecting SNS or the somatic nervous system directly, definitely then passive initiation must have some good effects on the well-being of the body and mind.
So considering all these parameters , this does induce the confidence that application of Vibuthi across the body and chakras must have had some positive impact on the wholesome well being of a human. If not, this should certainly have been phased out by now . After all Vibhuti being only a fashion statement might not have had these many takers across millennia.
To sum all arguments up. Ancient wisdom derived from experimentation and simple observations certainly does have a few modern day scientific parallels. It’s quite unfortunate that all the aspects of this wisdom gained over the ages. are not well explored and tested on the anvil of modern scientific methods. So unless modern scientists take up the journey of truth to validate all the claims.
The best way forward is to experiment and try these practices on our own. ‘If this works’ at times is just as , if not more, important than ‘how stuff works’ .
