Bhasma or sacred ash applied by Shiva devotees should be prepared only from the woods of certain trees. Bhasma or ash of any tree should not be used. There are seven trees plus cow dung from which sacred ash can be prepared.
Golden rule is that no tree should be cut for preparing Bhasma. Twigs, leaves and branches that have fallen down on its own should be used for preparing the sacred ash.
The seven tree woods for preparing bhasma are:
- Bilva Tree
- Shami Tree
- Peepal
- Palash (flame of forest)
- Bargad (Banyan tree)
- Amla (gooseberry)
- Ber (jujube, Indian plum, Regi pandu)
- Gobar or from cow dung
The twigs, dried fallen stems and branches should be collected and burned to make the sacred ash.
The burned ash should be cooled in the hearth itself.
The best day for making bhasma are Monday, Pradosh day and Shiv Chaturdashi day.
Mantra To Be Chanted While Making Bhasma
Om Aghorabhyo Atha Ghorebhyo Ghor Ghorgrebhya
Sarvatha sarva sarvabhyo Namaste Astu Rudrarupebhaye
ॐ अघोरेभ्यो अथ घोरेभ्यो घोर घोरतरेभ्यः
सर्वतः सर्व सर्वेभ्यो नमस्ते अस्तु रुद्ररूपेभ्यः
सर्वतः सर्व सर्वेभ्यो नमस्ते अस्तु रुद्ररूपेभ्यः
Ash collected from crematorium is used by aghoris and tantrics. Normal devotees do not use them. Fresh ash from pyre is used in the famous Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain.