BINDI

Hindus wear a tilak (a red dot by women and an elongated dot by men) on their foreheads , between the two eyes. This DOT is known as BINDU or TILAK or TILAKAM or POTTU. This point is known by various names such as Ajna chakra, spiritual eye and Third eye is said to be the major nerve in human body, in ancient times.
The Tilaka is normally a vermilion mark applied on the forehead. This mark has a religious significance and is a visible sign of a person as belonging to the Hindu religion. The Tilaka is of more than one color although normally it is vermilion. It also does not have any standard shape and form and is applied differently by members of different Hindu sects and sub-sects. It is applied as a 'U' by worshippers of lord Vishnu and is red, yellow or saffron in colour. It is made up of red ochre powder (Sindhura) and sandalwood paste (Gandha). Worshippers of lord Shiva apply it as three horizontal lines and it consists of ash (Bhasma). Soot (Abhira) is also used as a pigment for applying a Tilaka. Literally, Tilaka means a mark. Sindhura which is also used to describe a Tilaka means red and Gandha which is also a term for Tilaka means pleasant odour. Hence, Tilaka normally connotes, a red mark with a pleasant odour. Some scholars have seen the red colour as a symbolism for blood. We are told that in ancient times, in Aryan society, a groom used to apply his blood, on-his bride's forehead as a recognition of wedlock. The existing practice among Indian women of applying a round shaped red Tilaka called Bindiya or Kumkum could be a survival of this. Though it is the tradition for the Hindus towear a tilak on their forehead, it has got its own scientific reason apart from its belief and the beauty.

Science behind the Bindi : That DOT is supposed to be placed in between two eyes to protect a very important point called SPIRITUAL EYE or THIRD EYE or AJANA CHAKRA or AJNA CHAKRA or KUTASHTA CHITANYA (clear consciousness); CENTER OF CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS . AJNA means KNOWLEDGE or UNDERSTANDING. The AJNA CHAKRA is also called ALL SEEING EYE OF GOD. It is the 6th Chara and it governs brain activity. It is very important since it is the base of intuition. It is the MIRROR OF THE SOUL According to Hindu metaphysics the COLOR of that Chakra is COLOR INDIGO, a combination of RED AND BLUE Every one is urged to meditate focusing on the ANJNA or AJNA Chakra. That will help one's capability of concentration, reduce stress and reduce blood pressure. That form of meditation is good for every one whether they are Hindus or not. Bindionics is good for the indian male as he can concentrate at a better point rather than making the rapid eye movement watching each of her eyes with both of his with a fraction fixed interval. As a matter of fact this is hypnotizing.

Beleif about the Bindi : Any time, one wears that DOT, one not only becomes spiritual but also influence THOUGHTS of others who look at that person.The dot transforms the thoughts of person wearing into spiritual as well as persons who looks at that person will also will become spiritual. Those DOTS are supposed to me made of Herbal powders such as Turmeric or Sandalwood paste. Anyone who mediates at that point, Ajana/AJNA Chara sees A WORLD FULL OF LIGHT. The most ashtonishing about bindis besides the limited amount of literature that exists on it, is the attitude of people towards it. Women and men both wore them. Women wore it in addition to a remembrance of the vows of marriage. Today it's just a fashion statement.

Beauty Behind the Bindi : Bindi is arguably the most visually fascinating in all form of body decoration. Bindi has a very special place on the woman's body, and that is her forehead only. Bindi signifies the completion of the make-up in overall respect of the woman. It gives the sense of beauty, glory, and maturity too. Married women almost applies bindis in red in color (exceptions are there) while young and unmarried girls uses bindis in different color. Both men and women can wear the dot.A woman need not be married to wear the dot. I personally find the dot makes a woman more beautiful and men more respectful (cultural conditioning, I guess). The pottu is a very auspicious symbol, reminding those who wear it of their spiritual heritage and ideals, wherever they may be. Men and women of a particular faith often wish to identify themselves to each other, and they do so by wearing religious symbols which generally are blessed in their temples, churches and synagogues. In many cases a dot on the Hindu woman's forehead is similar to a beauty mark, just as European women used to wear a black dot on their cheek as a beauty mark. An unmarried girl wears a black dot, and a married girl a red one. Nowadays the dot's color complements the color of a lady's sari. Wearing a dot on the forehead is largely a cultural symbol or a beauty symbol.





[ Home ] - [ Introduction ] - [ Sudarshana Stothra ]

[ Cereal Mix ]

[ Concentration ] - [ Meditation ] - [ Yantra ]

[ Hindu FAQ ] - [ Flowers Messages ]

[ Archives ]

[ Guest Book ] - [ Contact Us ]