In Hindu Culture, colours hold special significance. Every day, a specific auspicious colour is dear to one or the other deity. These colours aren’t just pretty; they can even sprinkle some magic into your life!
And guess what? There’s this cool thing called as “Tilak”! It’s like a tiny badge you wear on your forehead, and it’s super lucky! Whenever you start praying or doing something awesome, you gotta put on your tilak. It’s like saying, “Hey, good vibes, I’m ready for you!”
It’s believed that, without a tilak, prayers are like a garden without flowers—not as vibrant! Adding the tilak is like sprinkling fairy dust on your prayers, making them sparkle and shine, like discovering the treasure at the end of the rainbow.
Which finger is used to apply the tilak?
In the age-old tradition, we grace our foreheads with tilak using our ring finger. Below the ring finger on the palm lies the ‘Surya Kshetra’ or ‘Surya Parvat’, symbolizing the radiant Sun’s presence. Usually, one uses the ring finger when applying tilak to oneself, and the thumb when applying it to others.
Tilak is like a special sign we put on our forehead before we start anything auspicious. It’s like a little mark of good luck that we first put on our body and then our inner consciousness or mind. In ancient times, both men and women used to wear a tilak or bindi made of kumkum or sandalwood, recognizing its significance. |
Benefits of Applying Tilak:
- Spiritual Connection: Tilak is a symbol of spirituality in Indian culture. Applying tilak during religious rituals or worship is considered a part of the ritualistic offering to the divine and is symbolic of devotion. When we put on tilak during prayers, it’s like saying, “Hey, God, I’m here!” It’s a way to show our love and respect.
- Ayurvedic Benefits: In Ayurveda, applying tilak is believed to be beneficial for the skin. Applying tilak powder or bhasma on the forehead may provide relief from headaches and reduce head discomfort.
- Instills Strength: From a religious perspective, applying tilak on the forehead is believed to impart strength and capability. It not only boosts self-confidence but also provides courage from a social perspective.
- Symbolism and Identification: Tilak serves as a symbol of an individual’s religious practices, tradition, and community. It acts as a form of identification that reflects a person’s uniqueness and tradition.
Benefits of applying different types of Tilak:
- Applying white sandalwood tilak increases concentration.
- Applying vermillion (red) or kumkum tilak enhances attraction and reduces laziness.
- Applying saffron tilak leads to increased fame and progress in one’s endeavours.
- Applying an ashtagandha tilak made of goroachana improves knowledge and intellect. Ashtagandha tilak consists of various fragrant substances. It also leads to victory over enemies.
- Applying ash or dust tilak protects against accidents and legal issues. It is recommended to apply ash or dust tilak after worshipping Lord Shiva. To enhance attraction, take a little vermillion in a copper vessel and mix it with a little rose water.
- To attain victory, success, and power, rub red sandalwood and store it in a silver or glass container.
To strengthen the influence of planets, apply these tilaks:
- Sun – Individuals of the Leo zodiac sign should apply red sandalwood tilak on the forehead using the ring finger. This will strengthen the ruler of their zodiac sign, the Sun.
- Moon – People of Cancer zodiac sign should apply white sandalwood tilak on the forehead using the little finger to strengthen the Moon.
- Mars – If your zodiac sign is Aries or Scorpio, apply orange vermilion tilak on the forehead using the ring finger. This will bless you with the blessings of Mars and strengthen its influence.
- Mercury – Individuals of Gemini or Virgo zodiac signs should apply ashtagandha tilak to strengthen the influence of Mercury.
- Jupiter – Individuals of Sagittarius or Pisces zodiac signs should apply saffron tilak on the forehead using the index finger to strengthen Jupiter.
- Venus – If your zodiac sign is Taurus or Libra, apply vermillion or rice grains tilak on the forehead using the ring finger. This will attract the blessings of Venus.
- Saturn – Individuals of Capricorn or Aquarius zodiac signs should apply ash or black kohl tilak.
- Rahu-Ketu – To strengthen these planets, apply cow dung or incense stick ash tilak.
