Tilaka Dictionary

vishnu-tilaka

See tilaka.

(See also: vishnu-tilaka , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

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.

(See also: Tilaka , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Tilaka - clay markings worn on the forehead and other parts of the body by Vaisnavas, signifying their devotion to Lord Krsna or Visnu, and consecrating the body as the Lord’s temple.

(See also: Tilaka , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

vibhuti: (Sanskrit) "Resplendent, powerful."

Holy ash, prepared by burning cow dung along with other precious substances, milk, ghee, honey, etc. It symbolizes purity and is one of the main sacraments given at puja in all Saivite temples and shrines. Saivites wear three stripes on the brow as a distinct sectarian mark, as do many Smartas. Vibhuti is also a synonym for siddhi, supernormal powers developed through yoga practice. It is the title of the third chapter of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which discusses siddhis.

See: tilaka. tripundra.

(See also: Vibhuti , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

tilaka

Auspicious marks, of sacred clay and other substances, applied daily on the forehead (and sometimes on various limbs as well) to dedicate one’s body to God.

(See also: tilaka , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

sandalwood: Chandana.

The Asian evergreen tree Santalum album. Its sweetly fragrant heartwood is ground into the fine, tan-colored paste distributed as prasada in Saivite temples and used for sacred marks on the forehead, tilaka. Sandalwood is also prized for incense, carving and fine cabinetry.

(See also: Sandalwood , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

bindu: (Sanskrit) "A drop, small particle, dot."

1)    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.

2)    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.

3)    The bindu is known as pottu in Tamil.

4)    Bindu is also a term for semen.

See: tattva, tilaka.

(See also: Bindu , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Bindu:

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

(See also: Bindu ,Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

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.

(See also: Tripundra , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

urddhva-punsra-tilaka - the vertical clay markings of the Vaisnavas worn on the forehead and other parts of the body to symbolize their devotion to Lord Krsna or Visnu.

(See also: urddhva-punsra-tilaka , Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Tilaka is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or Kumkuma. The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandana), and the worshippers of Devi or Sakti apply Kumkuma, a red turmeric powder.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Tilaka: Hindu Symbols - Tilaka, A Mark Of Auspiciousness

Outward symbols are necessary and beneficial. When viewed from the right angle of vision, you will find that they play a very important part in your material as well as spiritual life. Though they may look very simple and unimportant, they are very scientific and effective.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Symbols: Symbols in Hinduism

Hinduism Lexicon on B

From backbiting to buddhi chitta.

Read more here: » Hinduism: Hinduism Lexicon on B