Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Tilaka in Sanskrit or Pottu in Tamil is a dot or mark worn on the forehead by both Hindu men and women. It is said that the proper place to put the Tilaka is on the forehead between to the eyebrows. What is the reason for this???
Posted On : 6/10/2009 6:43:43 PM
Abhi Tripathi [Guru] Reward Points : 74900 Member Since : Monday, January 07, 2008
Hi Maniam, Tilak is worn on the Ajna Chakra, the centre of forehead, on the space between the eyebrows. It is applied on this point because this is the place where the third eye or the spiritual eye is believed to open. hence all the actions of humans are governed by this specific point and application of Tilak to that point further asserts this.
Posted On : 6/11/2009 4:43:20 AM
Mona Mehta Reward Points : 19900 Member Since : Friday, January 09, 2009
There is another important significance of wearing of the tilak in the point in between the two eyebrows. The hindus believe that the whole body is supposed to send forth energy in the form of electro magnet waves especially the spot in between the eyebrows. This forms the reason for worry to generate heat causing headache. The tilak thus cools the forehead and protects from the seepage of energy
Pronounced as Bin Dee , the word bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word bindu, which means drop . Bindi is an auspicious ornamental mark worn by Hindu girls and women on their forehead between the two eyes . Bindi is arguably the most visually fascinating in all form of body decoration. More than a beauty spot, the manga tika bindi indicates good omen and purity. Traditionally Bindi is a symbol of marriage, very similar to western wedding bands. A red dot on the forehead is an auspicious sign of marriage and guarantees the social status and sanctity of the institution of marriage. Bindi were worn by married women in North India in the form of a little red dot. It denotes the woman s married status in most of the North Indian communities but in South India it is a prerogative of all girls to wear a bindi. The bridegroom s make-up is incomplete without Tilak, it is applied on the groom s forehead during the wedding ceremony. No festival or puja is complete without the tilak and sindoor. Red was chosen because that color was suppose to bring good fortune into the home of the bride. The red mark made the bride the preserver of the family s honor and welfare. Over time, it has became a fashion accessory and is worn today by unmarried girls and women of other religions as well. No longer restricted in color or shape, bindis today are seen in many colors and designs and are manufactured with self-adhesives and felt. The very positioning of the bindi is significant. The bindi is always worn on in the middle of the eyebrows, this is believed to be the most important pressure point of the human body. This point is known by various names such as Ajna chakra, Spiritual eye, Third eye meaning command , is the seat of concealed wisdom. It is the centre point wherein all experience is gathered in total concentration. According to the tantric cult, during meditation the latent energy rises from the base of the spine towards the head, this agna is the probable outlet for this potent energy. The red kumkum between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself symbolising auspiciousness and good fortune. No one knows exactly when the tradition of putting a bindi started, but since centuries it is seen on the foreheads of Hindu men and women. In the past few decades, not only married women have taken up this beautiful accessory, but Girls of all ages enjoy wearing a variety of styles and colors. Today, the bindi is more about the mood and occasion. They are often matched with the color clothing a person is wearing. Today, bindi is more of a fashion statement than anything else, and the number of young performers sporting bindis is overwhelming even in the West. During the olden days, Tilak served as an identification of which caste anyone belonged to and their profession based on the colour or varna system . Brahmin with a white chandan mark signified purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. Kshatriya applied red kumkum mark signifying valour and belonged to warrior races. Vaishya wore yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity and was a businessman or trader. Sudra applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of other three divisions. Likewise, Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan tilak of U shape Shiva worshippers apply a tripundra of bhasma and Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum.....
Posted On : 6/16/2009 9:47:42 PM
Maniam PS [Guru] Reward Points : 137200 Member Since : Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Posted By : Rajendra Prasad Udumula Posted On : 6/16/2009 9:47:42 PM Go
Pronounced as Bin Dee , the word bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word bindu, which means drop . B..
Rajendra Prasad saar, thanks for the lengthy explanation on the Bindi. FYI, there is also another explanation for the colours of Bindi used by women of the South. Virgin or unmarried girls use Black colour Bindi, Women who are married use the Red Dot or Kunkamam and when you see a woman without any Bindi it means she is a widow.
Posted By : Maniam PS Posted On : 6/17/2009 7:27:36 PM Go
Rajendra Prasad saar, thanks for the lengthy explanation on the Bindi. FYI, there is also another ex..
Thank you, Maniam Sir, for your addition, I do agree fully to your kind explanation. Without Bindi means a widow, is a prominent point, I missed. Thanks once again.
Tilaka
