Tilak is a symbol of Indian culture. Since ancient times people have been wearing tilak on their forehead according to their traditions. From time immemorial, Rajguru used to do the king’s tilak according to the time and work. Wives used to apply tilak on the forehead of their husbands while leaving during the war. When visiting any temple, the priest applies tilak on the forehead of the visitors. At the conclusion of any religious ritual, the priests apply tilak to all those present. Tilak is also applied while performing Shradh. On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, Nagpanchami and Bhaiya Dooj, sisters apply tilak on the forehead of their brothers and wish them well. The dot of vermilion, kumkum etc. is a sign of being fortunate. There has been a wonderful tradition of applying tilak since ancient times to wish for a safe journey, for success in competitive examinations, to welcome them. In Vedic culture, Tilak is said to be a holy and auspicious sign.
स्नानं दानं तपो होमो देवतापितृ कृम्र्म च।
तत्सर्व निषफलं याति ललाटे तिलकं बिना।
ब्राह्मणस्तिल्कं कृत्वा कुय्र्यासंध्याच्च तर्पणम्।।
अर्थात : तिलक के बिना स्नान, हवन, जप, तप व देवकार्य आदि सभी कार्य फल विहीन हो जाते हैं। ब्राह्मण को चाहिए कि तिलक धारण करने के पश्चात ही तर्पण आदि कार्य करें।
Increase in self-confidence by applying tilak on the forehead
Applying tilak on the forehead increases self-confidence.
According to Hindu scriptures and astrology, if Tilak is worn then all sins are destroyed. In Sanatan Dharma, there are different Tilaks of Shaiva, Shakta, Vaishnava and other sects. Three lines are made on the forehead, that is, with ashes or sandalwood, it is called Tripunda. Bhasma or sandalwood is carefully shaped from the middle of the hands to three slanted lines on the forehead. People of Shaivite sect wear it. This thing is no longer only about religious texts or belief, but modern science has also started accepting its benefits.
Benefits of applying tilak
Personality becomes impressive by doing tilak. Actually, applying tilak has a psychological effect, because it increases the confidence and self-confidence of the person immensely. Regularly applying tilak on the forehead brings friability to the head. People feel peace and relaxation as well as it protects from many types of mental diseases.According to science, tilak causes the secretion of seratonin and beta endorphins in the brain in a balanced way, which removes sadness and awakens enthusiasm in the mind. This enthusiasm engages people in good deeds. This reduces the problem of headache. Applying tilak with turmeric purifies the skin. Turmeric has anti-bacterial elements, which frees from diseases. According to religious belief, applying sandalwood tilak destroys the sins of a human being. People survive many kinds of crisis. According to astrology, applying tilak also brings peace to the planets. The house of the person applying sandalwood tilak remains full of food and wealth and with increasing good fortune, there is fearlessness.
Various types of materials are being used for applying Tilak since ancient times. Vermilion, honey, ashes of Havan Kund, cow dung, dust or soil of cow’s feet, ghee, curd, gorochan, musk, water and soil, water and soil of all holy rivers, lakes and places of pilgrimage, Gopichandan, Yagyakastha, Bilva, Peepal And the soil near the root of the Tulsi plant is Mahanimb Tulsi’s wood, fig, gandhakashth, white sandalwood, red sandalwood, amla, kumkum, Kamiya vermilion, turmeric, black turmeric and Ashtagandha etc. Tilak is applied with the above material in worship and worship etc.
Bhasma is the main ingredient of Tilak for the devotees of Lord Shiva, Shaivites and worshipers of Goddesses. Tilak is applied to the goddesses with kumkum and red sandalwood and to the ancestors with white sandalwood. Tilak is applied with red sandalwood to the Sun, Hanuman and the goddesses symbolizing power, Kali, Tara and Durga.
Tilak is applied to the deities with the ring finger, to themselves by the middle finger, to the ancestors with the index finger and to the Brahmins etc. with the thumb. This method is commonly used.
To make auspicious signs on the body, some people often use raids made of wood and metal. Sometimes people make permanent marks. These are against the scriptures.
Tilak should always be applied while sitting. Shri Brahma resides in the right part of the forehead, Shivaji resides in the left side and Shri Krishna resides in the middle part, so the middle part should be kept empty so that the abode of Shri Vishnu ji remains on the forehead. Tilak should be applied from the sandalwood left over from offering it to the idol.
Apply tilak by chanting this mantra, it is necessary to apply tilak in worship
Although generally the devotees wear tilak at the time of worship, but in today’s era of running, they have started worshiping without applying tilak, which is not proper from any point of view. They should not do this, because it is not compatible with religion.
If you want the full fruit of worship, then you must apply tilak, it is not possible to get full fruit by worshiping without applying tilak, so the importance of tilak has been glorified in religious scriptures, so all the devotees should wear tilak with emotion. This gives full results. The deities are pleased by applying tilak. Taking food by applying tilak is said to be religious in the scriptures. This is the reason why tilak is applied in temples, so that the devotee can get the full fruit of his darshan and he can get the desired result by his grace.
Before starting the chanting of the mantra of any deity, it is necessary to apply Roli or sandalwood tilak at the time of Havan worship. By the way, it has been said in the Hindu scriptures that after retiring from routine action, one should apply tilak after bathing, after which the deities should be worshipped.
Food should be taken only after that. Even food should not be eaten without applying tilak. Even eating food without applying tilak is considered condemned by religious scriptures, but in today’s era, even if there is not so much time, then it is necessary to apply the necessary tilak while chanting the mantra.
The mantra is-
केशवानन्द गोविन्द वाराह पुरुषोत्तम।
पुण्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं तिलकं मे प्रसीदतु।।
कान्ति लक्ष्मीं धृतिं सौख्यं सौभाग्यमतुलं बलम्।
ददातु चन्दनं नित्यं सततं धारयाम्यहम्।।
Sanatan Dharmis have been following the Vedic tradition of applying Tilak since eternity. Tilak is considered to have special importance in worship. It is believed that worshiping without tilak is not successful. This tradition has been going on since the beginning of creation. The scientific argument is that there is a chakra between the two eyes. Tilak is applied at this chakra place. By applying tilak on this chakra, our concentration increases. The pressure exerted by the finger or thumb while applying tilak regulates the blood circulation of the veins leading to the forehead. Blood cells are activated. Especially there is a law to bring tilak of kumkum, sandalwood, clay, turmeric, ash etc., from which the tradition of wearing tilak has been going on since the time immemorial.
Applying tilak on the forehead provides mental peace. By applying sandalwood tilak, mental excitement remains calm. It has a positive effect on the mind. Applying sandalwood to the man and kumkum bhaal to the woman is auspicious. It is auspicious to do tilak of white sandalwood, red sandalwood, kumkum, vilvapatra, bhasma, etc.
The actual meaning of Tilak is the mark to be applied on the forehead after worship. According to the scriptures, if Dwij (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya) do not apply tilak, then they are Chandalas. Tilak is always done on the forehead between the two eyebrows on the “Agya Chakra”. It is also called the center of consciousness.
पर्वताग्रे नदीतीरे रामक्षेत्रे विशेषतः।
सिन्धुतिरे च वल्मिके तुलसीमूलमाश्रीताः॥
मृदएतास्तु संपाद्या वर्जयेदन्यमृत्तिका।
द्वारवत्युद्भवाद्गोपी चंदनादुर्धपुण्ड्रकम्॥
Meaning- Sandalwood is always of the tip of the mountain, of the soil of the river bank, of the virtuous pilgrimage, of the banks of the river Indus, or of the soil of the ant’s bamboo and basil’s root or sandalwood. Tilak should always be done with sandalwood or kumkum. It is best if kumkum is made from turmeric.
It is believed that Dhannajay Prana resides at the place of Tilak. One should apply tilak to awaken him. Which leads us to the spiritual path.
There are four types of Tilak-
1- Kumkum
2- saffron
3- sandalwood
4- ash
Kumkum is made of turmeric, which ignites the knowledge chakra while purifying our agna chakra and giving it calcium.
The saffron tilak ignites the one whose mind is cool.
“Sandalwood” gives coolness to the mind and also gives mental peace.
“Bhasmi” also destroys the viruses of the hair follicles of the brain, leading to dispassion.
importance of tilak
Whoever performs a morning or evening havan without applying tilak, does not get its fruit.
According to astrology, if tilak is worn, then all sins are destroyed.
By applying sandalwood tilak, sins are destroyed, the person is saved from troubles, the grace of Lakshmi always remains on him, the knowledge fibers remain restrained and active. If Tilak is worn according to the wise, then the planets related to the said Var can be made to give auspicious results.
Do not put vermilion on the forehead of the deities
It is also worth noting that vermilion should never be applied on the forehead of the deities. It is hot in nature.
Apply Tilak facing north
The important aspect is that the person to whom tilak is applied, his face should be towards the north direction.
There is a law to apply tilak at 12 places
It has been said in the scriptures that there is a law to apply tilak at 12 places. There is a law to apply tilak at total 12 places of the body including heart, both sides, navel, back, both armpits, head, head, neck etc.
Sandalwood tilak keeps the mind calm
By applying sandalwood tilak on your forehead, the secretion of seratonin and beta endorphins in the brain is balanced, due to which the person removes sadness and there is enthusiasm in the mind. This enthusiasm brings positivity in action.
How many are Tilak’s views?
Tilak is not applied in just one way. There are different sects and sects in Hinduism, they all have their own tilak. In Sanatan Dharma, there are different Tilaks of Shaiva, Shakta, Vaishnava and other sects.
In the Shaiva tradition, a cross line or tripund of sandalwood is applied on the forehead.
1- Shakta- Shakta applies tilak of vermilion. Sidur is a symbol of fierceness. It is considered helpful in increasing the power and sharpness of the seeker.
2- Vaishnava – Sixty-four types of tilak have been described in the Vaishnava tradition. Prominent among these are – Lalshree Tilak – in this there is a vertical line of sandalwood around and kumkum or turmeric in the middle.
3- Shyam Shree Tilak- It is applied by Vaishnav worshipers of Krishna. In this there is a thick vertical line of Gopichandan around and black in the middle.
4- Vishnuswami Tilak- This tilak is formed by two wide vertical lines on the forehead. This tilak becomes narrow and comes till the middle of the eyebrows.
5- Ramanand Tilak- By giving a vertical line in the middle of Vishnuswami Tilak with kumkum, Ramanandi Tilak is formed.
6- Other Tilak- Ganapatya, Tantrik, Kapalik etc. have different Tilak. Many sadhus and sanyasis apply tilak of ashes.
Benefits of applying vermilion on feet
Whenever we go to the temple, Shri Ram devotees take vermilion from the feet of Hanuman and Devi etc. and apply it on the forehead. It is very beneficial to do this, because vermilion is hot.
Applying musk color and this tilak is auspicious and fruitful
According to the scriptures, women should apply musk colored bidi or vermilion on their forehead. It is said that it is auspicious to do tilak of white sandalwood, red sandalwood, kumkum, vilbapatra, bhasma, etc. Anyone who performs Havan in the morning or evening without applying tilak, does not get its fruit.
Urdhva Pundar and Tripund should not be applied with Bhasma.
Another main rule of applying Tilak is that the same person or Sadhak should not apply Urdhva Pundar and Tripund with Bhasma. The same Sadhak should not apply Urdhva Pundar with sandalwood and Tripunda with Bhasma.
What is a frontal point?
The right middle part of the forehead is called the frontal point, it is also the middle part of the eyebrows. Tilak should always be worn at this place.
What is the result of applying with a different finger?
Applying tilak with each finger has its own importance, like the one who wants salvation should apply tilak with the thumb, if you want to destroy the enemy, then with the index finger, if you want to become rich then with the middle finger and if you want peace and happiness, then with the ring finger. Apply tilak. Tilak is applied to the deities with the middle finger. In North India, Tilak is applied with respect, hospitality and welcome along with Tilak Aarti.
Using different fingers for applying tilak gives different results.
The ring finger gives peace
If tilak is applied with the ring finger, it gives peace.
Age increases with middle finger
Doing tilak with the middle finger increases the age, apart from this, doing tilak with the thumb is considered to be auspicious.
Use of index finger in tantric rituals
It is mentioned in Vishnu Samhita that in which type of work it is appropriate to apply tilak with which finger. The ring finger should be used in any auspicious and Vedic work, the middle finger in the father’s work, the junior finger in the sage work and the first ie index finger in the tantric activities.
Always apply tilak by sitting
We are going to tell you some general rules, which have been described in Padma Purana. In which it has been said that Tilak should always be applied while sitting. Brahma resides in the right part of the forehead, Shiva ji in the left part, Shri Krishna resides in the middle part. Therefore, the portion of the middle part should be kept empty, so that the abode of Vishnu can remain in the frontal.
There is also a rule that tilak should be applied from the sandalwood left over from offering it to the idol. In the Puranas, Shiva ji explains to Parvati the rules and says that the place in the middle of the tilak, which is made of V-shape of Vaishnavas in English, is the abode of Lakshmi and Narayan.
After applying tilak to Brahmin, do tarpan and worship
Brahmins should do tarpan and worship only after applying tilak.
These are also rules
Tilak should be applied to the deities by the ring finger, to themselves with the middle finger, to the ancestors with the index finger and to the Brahmins with the thumb.
