The
tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of
sanctity in the wearer and others. It
is recognised as a religious mark. Its
form and colour vary according to
one's caste, religious sect or the
form of the Lord worshipped. In
earlier times, the four castes (based
on varna or colour) Brahmana,
Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra
applied marks differently. The
brahmin applied a white chandan
mark signifying purity, as his
profession was of a priestly or
academic nature. The kshatriya
applied a red kumkum mark
signifying valour as he belonged to
warrior races. The vaishya wore a
yellow kesar or turmeric mark
signifying prosperity as he was a
businessman or trader devoted to
creation of wealth. The sudra applied
a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal
mark signifying service as he
supported the work of the other
three divisions. Also Vishnu
worshippers apply a chandan tilak of
the shape of "U", Shiva worshippers a
tripundra bhasma, Devi
worshippers a red dot of kumkum
and so on). The tilak cover the spot
between the eyebrows, which is the
seat of memory and thinking. It is
known as the Aajna Chakra in the
language of Yoga. The tilak is applied
with the prayer : "May I remember
the Lord. May this pious feeling
pervade all my activities. May I be
righteous in my deeds." Even when
we temporarily forget this
prayerful attitude the mark on
another reminds us of our resolve.
The tilak is thus a blessing of the Lord
and a protection against wrong
tendencies and forces. The entire
body emanates energy in the form of
electromagnetic waves the
forehead and the subtle spot
between the eyebrows especially
so. That is why worry generates
heat and causes a headache. The
tilak and pottu cools the forehead,
protects us and prevents energy
loss. sometimes the entire forehead
is covered with chandan or bhasma.
Using plastic reusable "stick bindis" is
not very beneficial, even though it
serves the purpose of decoration.