M.: Karpura Ārati is symbolic of the burning away of the mind by the light of illumination, (sacred ashes) in Śiva (Absolute Be-ing) and kunkuma (vermilion powder) is Śakti (consciousness).
is of two kinds: Parā vibhuti and aparā vibhuti. The sacred ashes are of the latter class. The parā is what remains over after all the dross has been burnt away by the Fire of Realisation. It is Absolute Being.