BY KAMESHWARS. BHARGAVA

What are Bindi and Tilak ?

Bindi and Tilak  arereligious marks on a Hindu’s forehead between the eyebrows,Bindi is in the form of a dot.  It is derived from the word “Bindu” in Sanskrit, which means “drop” or “small particle”.  Bindi is called “Pottu” in Tamil and Malyalam;“Bottu” or “Tilakam” in Telegu; “Bottu” or “Tilaka” inKannad; “Teep” in Bengali.It is worn by both ladies and men.  Some people consider Bindi as a symbol of goddessParvati signifying female energy.  Tilak is an elongated form of Bindi and takes on various formsbut all the forms honor the central dot. The Tilak is generally worn bymen.  The dot orBindi has an important place in Hindu scriptures.  It is said that, in thebeginning, all 36 tattavas – the primeval categories ofexistence that comprise the whole universe were condensed in a single dot, called the“Parabindu”.

Origin of Bindi and Tilak

The use of Bindi and Tilak is said to have started in Vedictimes, when ash (vibhuti)from the burnt offerings of a sacrificial fire was used toput a mark on the forehead. Theuse of kum-kum toput a bindi also goes back to times immemorial and has been mentioned inancient Hindu scriptures.  A hymn inRigveda describes Surya’s wife,the goddess Usha, as wearing a bright red dot on herforehead symbolic of the risingsun.  Radha used aflamelike design on her forehead with kum-kum.Banbhatta’s Kadambri composed inthe 7^th century refers to trident shaped sectarian marks on the forehead of the devotees of lord Vishnu.  The Puranas which date from 10^th– 11^thcentury also refer to Shaivite’s practice of using tilak ontheir forehead.  The Shaktas,who worship goddess Kali, paint a red dot on their foreheadsemulating the red dot

below the third eye of the goddess.  Some scholars interpret the red color as a symbol of blood.  In ancient times, in Aryan society, a groom used to apply a dot of his ownblood on his bride’s forehead as a recognition ofwedlock.  Some people associate thered bindi with the ancient practice of offering bloodsacrifice to appease the gods.

Bindi and Tilak – Their Application

The application of bindi and tilak is meant to invoke religious feelings,  and is regardedas a blessing of the Lord and a mark of auspiciousness and greetings.  Some regard the bindi and tilak as a protection against  evil,wrong tendencies, bad dreams, and accidents.

All religious rites and ceremonies of Hindus begin with theapplication of a bindi or tilakto invoke gods.  Atilak is also applied by the priest during a person’s visit to a temple asa sign of the deity’s blessings for both men and women.  During a pujathe kum-kum paste or a sandal wood paste is first applied to the deity and then passed around among the participants as prasadam,blessed offerings that carry the deity’s vibrations.  The custom of putting a tilak or bindi is also followed whilewelcoming or bidding farewell to guests and relatives. In olden days the head priest of the state would put a tilak on theforehead of kings and maharajas when they ascended thethrone.  The ceremony was known as “RajTilak”.  “Veer Tilak” was used to anointvictors after a war.  In presenttimes some erstwhile rajasand talukdars, still carry on the custom of putting a tilak onthe forehead of the person inheriting an estate.

Bindi and tilak are worn by Hindu men and women, rishis andsaints, priests and swamis,pious householders and, above all, by deities in temples andhome shrines.

Tilak does not have a standard form and is applied differently by members affiliated withdifferent sects and subsects.  The most common form is a dot or a dot with a long vertical extension and is worn by those not affiliated with anyparticular sect. Worshippers of Lord Vishnu, known as Vaishnavas wear a vertical V or U shaped tilak using ash (vibhuti), clay or sandalwood paste.Thisis a sign of preservation or protection.  Worshippers of lord Shiva, known asSaivites draw three horizontal stripes (tripundra)with vibhuti or sandalwood paste anda red dot between the eyebrows.  This isas a reminder of God’s three-fold nature of creator, preserver, anddestroyer.  Worshippersof shakti (devi)put a dot with red powder or kum-kum.  This evokes the super power of Adi Paramshakti, the universal motherfrom whom all life and energy is believed to emanate.

Whenever a tilak is applied to a person some mantra isrecited. One such mantra is as follows:

                              AdityaVasvo Rudra Vishvedeva Sapaitrakaa

                             Tilakam Le Pryanchantu Dharma Kamarth Sidhdhyet

          “With theblessings of all Deities, Adityas, Rudras and your ancestors may

                 the tilak help you in the attainmentof dharma, karma, and artha.”

While applying tilak some people say, “O Lord, protect usfrom evil effects of  Trigunatmika Maya, which has Satva, Rajas, and Tamas as its binding chords.”

Others apply tilak with a prayer,  “ May I remember the Lord. May a pious feeling pervade all my activities.  May I be righteous in my deeds.”

Material used for bindi and tilak is generally vermillionpaste (turmeric mixed with lime and/or camphor), turmeric paste, kum-kum, ash (vibhuti), sandalwood paste by itself or mixed with saffron.  The paste is usually applied with the ringfinger (third from the thumb) and/or the thumb of the right hand.  The mark is usually topped with a fewunbroken grains of rice.  The grainssymbolize firmness and steadfastness of the brain and are also a symbol ofpeace.  They are also known as Deo Dhaniya (grains from God).

It is said that at the base of the thumb lies Venus whichrepresents life’s forces , health, creation of new life, gentility andpoliteness.  At the base of the ringfinger lies the Sun, which represents brilliance, firmness, honor, respect, andfaith.    

Symbolism of the Point between the Eyebrows

The spot, or the point on the forehead between the eyebrows,where the bindi is applied is the most important psychic location and a majornerve point in the human body.  It isconsidered the seat of latent wisdom, mental concentration, and spiritualenergy.  All thoughts and actions aresaid to be governed by this spot.  Inworship the spot is known by various names i.e. “ajna chakra”, “third eye”, “eyeof wisdom”, or “the mind’s eye”.  Itrepresents the third eye of spiritual sight which can see things that thephysical eye cannot see i.e. it controls and evokes the divine. Ajna chakra or the third eye is a spoton which yogis meditate to become one with Brahamana.Yogis and devout Hindus meditate on the spot to accumulate energy throughdivine insight, power, and wisdom to cultivate one’s spiritual vision toperceive and understand life’s inner working with the

mind’s eye.

Some people regard the central point as the base of creationitself, symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune.

According to the followers of Tantarism, the chakra(seat of concealed wisdom) is the exit point for Kundalini energy.  The bindiis applied to retain energy and strengthen concentration.  It is also said to protect against demonsand misfortune.

Modern  Trend

Bindi has been a traditional mark on the forehead of Hindusover the centuries, for both men and women. For women it also represents their marital status.  In recent times, instead of a religioussymbol, it has become a fashion accessory for many women.  Instead of just a simple dot, modern bindisare of different shapes, hues, and designs, ranging from simple to verydecorative.  The material used isplastic or thin felt in the form of a sticker bindi which can easily be put onor removed.  Many ladies keep a numberof bindis in different shapes and colors to match with their dress.

In modern times, the bindi has become a decorative item andis also worn by non Hindu

women in other countries. In China, since the second century, women wore similar marks for purelydecorative purposes.  This becamepopular during the Tang dynasty.