This photograph is of Swami Dandapani. No, I am not a Sales Agent for him but am posting this here to illustrate something else. If you were to ever meet me in the mornings when I am at Pune, you will see me with the same kind of Vibhuti horizontal stripes on my forehead as well as the tilak just above the nose and between the two eyebrows.
These two applications indicate that I follow Shaivism. The horizontal lines are symbolic of inevitable destruction of the body as the material used is ash from our sacred fires. Ash is symbolic of the human body becoming ash after cremation. When one applies the ash on his body, one remembers that he is subject to becoming ashes.
The tilak is more important for this post. The spot where it is applied is called the Ajna Chakra in yoga. The material used is either sandalwood paste or kumkum powder or both. I use both. Applying this on one’s forehead during morning prayers is to invoke the earnest request to open the third eye of the individual, which would enable him to differentiate between the real and the unreal, or the permanent and the impermanent.
I am delighted that my favourite Comics character wants to become a Shaivite!
I am reminded of the sameness of all religions and cults. Ash Wednesday coming to mind for Catholics.
XO
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There is a saying in Sanskrit. “EKAM SAT VIPRA BAHUDHA VADANTI” (https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/ekam-sat-vipra-bahuda-vadanti)
Thank you for this. I’m not sure I need ashes ashes to remind me I have the fragility of life. But I love the reasoning for the tilak. You have taught me so much, Ramana.
Entirely my pleasure. I am glad that I was able to share some knowledge with you Mother.
a quick browse of Tilak mark could lead you to a long study on the matter, not just the “red dot/third eye” but the wherefore of the whole culture/religion/circumstance (probably interpreted that all wrong)
Catherine de Seton recently posted..Assumed Abilities…
That is the beauty of learning. One thing will lead you into another and so on and so forth.
That was fascinating to read. I have nothing like this in my past or history, but I love learning new things. I knew someone was going to tie it into Ash Wednesday; glad it wasn’t me first. 🙂
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Thank you Mitch. I am surprised at your comment on Ash Wednesday. How do you know about it?
Because this coming Wednesday, like a certain Wednesday once a year since I was 6 years old, I’m going to be out somewhere and see a lot of people with ashes on the middle of their forehead. It’s kind of hard to miss.
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