Why do we wear marks on the forehead?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna to one and all! On this first issue of the year 2010 of our blog on Science and Hinduism, we wish all our readers a very happy new year. On every New Year we decide to buy something new, learn something new and do something new. We, the members of RKSS, through this blog wish to teach something new to our readers; the hidden meaning behind performing each ritual and routine among the Hindus.

In this post, we will see yet another question which is “Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?”

In case you have observed quite a lot of Hindus wear a mark on their forehead. It could be a U-shaped mark, a slim, straight red coloured vertical line, three white horizontal lines and so on. Have you ever asked yourself or any third person the reason? In case you have not got the chance or the guts to do so, we will tell you why.

The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized 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 ages, the caste system prevailed in India. There were four castes namely Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra. The castes were based on the profession of the person. The Brahmins were engaged in carrying out the yagnas, studying the Vedas etc. The Kshatriyas were protectors of the town/city. It was their responsibility to protect their subjects from outside infiltrators and ensure that their subjects are always content. The Vaishyas were the merchant class or the business class. Their responsibility was to make available whatever was needed by the people of the town/ city. They were accumulators of wealth. The last caste i.e. Sudras were responsible to provide all kinds of service to the first three classes.

The four castes (based on varna) - 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.

… to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post we will tell you about a fruit called as “Anjir”. It is known as Fig in English and Ficus Carica in Latin

1. It is a sweet delicious fruit with many medicinal properties
2. It is a nutritious and blood forming fruit
3. A few figs eaten after meals act as a laxative
4. It is good for cough and as an expectorant
5. It is a specific cure for inflammation of the spleen
6. It hastens the appearance of rash in cases of chicken-pox and small-pox

That concludes the topic for the fortnight. Till the next post, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam