A Wisdom Archive on Bindu

Introduction and links to related topics

Bindu - The subtle abode of the inner Self. See Blue Pearl.

Rakta Bindu - red bindu, same as beeja(seed) bindu, shakti bindu; the potentially creative bindu from which creation springs; often refers to the ovum.

Bindu - ("seed/point"): the creative potency of anything where all energies are focused; the dot (also called tilaka) worn on the forehead as indicative of the third eye

Bindu - (Sanskrit) "A drop, small particle, dot."
The seed or source of creation. In the 36 tattvas, the nucleus or first particle of transcendent light, technically called Parabindu, corresponding to the Shakti tattva. Scientists say the whole universe just before the big bang could fit on the head of a pin- a tremendous point of energy- that is Parabindu.
Small dot worn on the forehead between the eyebrows, or in the middle of the forehead, made of red powder (kunkuma), sandalpaste, clay, cosmetics or other substance. It is a sign that one is a Hindu. Mystically, it represents the "third eye," or the "mind''s eye," which sees things that the physical eyes cannot see. The forehead dot is a reminder to use and cultivate one''s spiritual vision, to perceive and understand life''s inner workings, as well as to look into the past to see the future. The bindu is also a beauty mark worn by Hindu women, the color red generally a sign of marriage, black often worn before marriage to ward off the evil eye, kudrishti or papadrishti.
The bindu is known as pottu in Tamil.
Bindu is also a term for semen.
See: tattva, tilaka.

Tilaka - (Sanskrit) "Sesamum-like mark," from tila, "sesame seed."

Distinctive marks made on the forehead or the brow with clay, ashes or sandalwood paste as an indication of sectarian affiliation. Vaishnavas wear a vertical v-shaped tilaka made of clay.

The Saivite tilaka, called tripundra, is three horizontal strips of holy ash with a dot below the middle of the forehead. Wearing the tilaka is an expression of religious affiliation and pride in one''s beliefs, not unlike the Christian''s cross or the Jew''s yarmulke.

Elaborate tilakas are worn by Hindus today mainly at religious events and when on pilgrimage, though many Hindus wear the simple dot (bindu) on the forehead, indicating that they are Hindu, even when moving in the general public.
See: bindu, Hinduism, tripundra.

Material Cause - Upadana karana.

The substance of creation, maya, Siva''s "mirific energy." In Saivism, material cause, maya, is threefold: shuddha ("pure") maya, shuddhashuddha ("pure-impure") maya and ashuddha ("impure") maya. Shuddha maya, or bindu, is the material cause of the causal plane. Shuddhashuddha maya is the material cause of the subtle plane. Ashuddhamaya (or Prakriti) is the material cause of the gross plane.
See: cause, maya, tattva.

Tripundra - (Sanskrit) "Three marks."

The Saivite sectarian mark, consisting of three horizontal lines of vibhuti (holy ash) on the brow, often with a dot (bindu) at the third eye. The three lines represent the soul''s three bonds: anava, karma and maya. Holy ash, made of burnt cow dung, is a reminder of the temporary nature of the physical body and the urgency to strive for spiritual attainment and closeness to God.
See: bindu, tilaka, vibhuti.