Vibhuti

Vibhuti is the name for sacred ash used in religious worship in Hinduism, especially connected with Lord Shiva. The ash has several symbolic meanings. Placed on the forehead of devotees, it covers the mark of the spiritual third eye of Hindu belief that sees development of mystic insight as the primary path to Self-realization. It is a reminder of one's mortality since bodies are cremated being only temporary vessels of the soul. It calls to the good of ridding oneself of selfish and base worldly desires that wrap the self in Maya (illusion) just as Shiva burned the god of desire, Kama, to ashes when he attempted to break Shiva's focus on the Divine Truth.

For the followers of Sathya Sai Baba it also symbolizes the original Sai Baba (Shirdi) who took ash from his ever burning fire and distributed it to his devotees.

Vibhuti or Vibhooti also refers to the paranormal powers that Sage Patanjali claims that one can develop by the practices described in his book on Yoga Sutras, part of body of Hindu philosophy.