Re: Tilak question
namaste Warren.
Three things which are usually in the powdery form are sacred for Hindus: vibhUti--sacred ash, kumkum--vermilion, and chandanam--sandal power/paste. Hindu men and women wear these things singly or in combination on their forehead for religious identity and spiritual benefits. Hindus belonging to the shaiva sect use the vibhUti; those in the vaiShNava sect use what is known in Tamil as nAmakkaTTi--pipe clay which is also white. Shaivas wear their vibhUti in horizontal stripes and VaiShNavas in vertical lines (one or three).
The vibhUti is associated with Lord Shiva. Check this article for its significance:
http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism...hp?print/id:71
The nAmam--pipe-clay is associated with ViShNu. Check this article for its significance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdhva_Pundra_Tilak
The kumkum(am) is associated with Shakti--Devi--Mother Goddess. Check this article for its significance:
http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism...n-a-bindi.html
The chandanam--sandal pste, is associated with shrI KRShNa. It is worn by KRShNa devotees who are among the VaiShNava sect for the same reason of sacredness. All the three things--vibhUti, kumkumam, and chandanam--along with turmeric, are among the sacred things used in Hindu pujas.
Here is a brief on some Hindu rituals: http://www.indialife.com/Festivals/rituals.htm
*****
रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥
To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.
--viShNu purANam
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