There is an interesting story in the Shiva Purana which narrates how Lord came to be associated with Vibhoodhi out the sacred ashes.
There once lived a sage from the lineage of Bhrigu. This sage performed intense penance and became very powerful. He consumed only green leaves and thus got the name – Pranada. Sage Pranada continued his intense tapas and controlled all the animals and plants in the forest he lived.
Once while cutting some grass to clean the yagna grounds, the sage cut his middle finger. To his surprise instead of blood he saw the gum of tree oozing through the cut.
Now Pranada thought that he had become very pious to have such a change in his body. Pride filled his mind and he started to feel above the world.
Lord Shiva who witnessed this event took the guise of an old man and reached the spot. When the old man asked for the reason for his extreme happiness, Pranada said that he has become the most pious man in the world as his blood has become similar to the sap of tree barks.
Without any emotion, the old man asked what was there to be elated in such a happening. He further said, if the trees and plants are burned they turn into ash. So, only ash points to the higher state.
To demonstrate it the old man sliced his finger and suddenly ash came out of it. Sage Pranada soon realized that it was Lord standing before him and prayed to him for forgiveness for his ignorance.
It is said that ever since then Lord wears ash to remind his devotees about the ultimate reality.
We must learn to be modest even if we achieve something great, as nothing in the world is ultimate. Everything has something that's more better when compared.
Sambho Mahadeva!!
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