The Lord said:: He who smears his limbs (body) with the Bhasman and renders them grey in colour, he who mentally meditates on Bhava (Śiva), he who takes his bath with Bhasman, (becomes free from sins). Even if a person commits thousands of misdeeds and takes an ash-bath, the Bhasman burns all the sins, just like fire that burns a forest by means of its refulgence. Hence, if a person exerts himself always and takes Ash-bath three times a day, he attains Gāṇapatya (the state of being a follower of Gaṇapati). After performing all kinds of Kratus (sacrifices), after taking in the excellent nectar if the people meditate on Mahādeva, if they merge themselves (in him) and are sanctified by identifying themselves with him, they shall attain immortality (Mokṣa) through the northern path.