"BINDI" as a symbol of "HINDU"
Bindi like so many names i.e. Tilak, Bottu, Bindi, Swaroopam is the sacred mark most of the Hindus have at the eye brow junction. This could be of sandal or red kumkum or a mix of both, sacred Ash or Vibhudi. This junctional point is one of the very significant chakra, called in spiritual terms ANGNYA CHAKRA. This is a very sensitive point. So the tilaka is kept at this point. Chandan or Sandal Paste, Roli, Kumkum, Sindoor, Sreechurnam and Sacred Ash or Vibhudi can also be used as Bottu or Tilak.
Bindi is a mark of auspiciousness and indicates one's faith or belief in Vedic Culture. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red turmieric) or sreechurnam, Tirumani Namam and so on. The devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal Paste (Chandan), Tiru Namam or Sreechurnam and the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply kumkum, a red turmeric powder. There is no hard and fast rule in this regard, except that fix a Hindu one should put Bottu / Tilak on the forehand, because "Bindi" on the forehead is a symbol of being a "Hindu".
SCRIPTURES ON IMPORTANCE OF "BINDI":
The ancient scriptures say: "A FOREHEAD WITHOUT A Bindi, a woman without a husband, a Mantra the meaning of which is not known while doing Japa (recitation), the head that does not bend before holy personages, a heart without mercy, a house without a well, a village without a temple, a country without a river, a society without a leader, wealth that is not given away in charity, a preceptor without a disciple, a country without justice, a king without an able minister, a woman not obedient to her husband, a well without water, a flower without smell, a soul devoid of holiness, a field without rains, a intellect without clarity, a disciple who does not consider his preceptor as a form of God, a body devoid of health, a custom (Achara) without purity, austerity devoid of fellow-feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis, a country without good people, work without wages, sanyasa without renunciation, legs that have not performed pilgrimages, determination unaided by Viveka or discrimination, a knife which is blunt, a cow that does not give milk, a spear without a point all these are worthy of condemnation. They exist for name's sake only.
SIGNIFICANCE OF "BINDI" IN SPIRITUAL PRACTICES:
Bindi is applied at the Angnya Chakra, the space between the two eyebrows. Bindi indicates the point at which the spiritual eye opens. Lord Siva has a third eye at the Bhrumadhya. When He opens the third eye, the three worlds are destroyed. So also when the third eye of the Jiva is opened, the three kinds of afflictions - Adhyatmika, Adhidaivika and Adhibhautika are burnt to ashes. The tree Karmas - Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami - and also all the sins committed in the countless previous births are burnt. When you apply the Tilak, Adwaitists mentally imagine : "I am the one non-dual Brahman free from all duality"."Aham Brahmaasi" may my eye of intuition open soon. You should remember this every time you apply a Bindi..
MEDICINAL VALUE OF "BINDI":
Application of Sandal Paste has great medicinal value, apart from the spiritual influence. Application of Sandal paste will mullify the heating effect when you concentrate and meditate at the Bhrumadhya. It has a very cooling effect. Similarly Tirumani and Sree Churnam have tremendous impact to do away with the evils cast on the person, because of their material, medicinal and mystical value. For instance, Tirumani is applied to heal the burns.
ASTROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF "TILAK":
The Bindi / Tilak is used in various ways for different reasons.
According to Hindu Astrology, Mesh Rasi or the House of Aries is on the forehead. The Lord of Mesh is Mars and His color is Red as well as Vruchika Rasi is also Mars House and His color is Red. This is why Red Chandan or Sree Churnam or Sindoor is placed as Bindi / Tilak on the forehead.
It is also believed that for getting money and multiplication of money one should apply Kesar / Sindoor and Chandan on forehead.
WHY AND WHICH FINGER TO USE FOR APPLYING "BINDI / Tilak":
The fingers used for applying Bindi / Tilak are as follows:
At the base of the little finger is Mercury, at the base of the ring-finger is Sun, at the base of the Middle Finger is Saturn, at the base of the index finger is Jupiter and the base of the thumb is Venus.
Perfect peace is experienced at Sunrise, Saturn is the protector of lifespan. Jupiter represents immortality and Venus represents health. Bindi / Tilak applied with the ring finger and the thumb is very beneficial.
In addition to this, the Sun represents firmness, brilliance, honour, respect and faith. These are the blessings achieved by applying Bindi / Tilak with the ring-finger. Venus gives life force and health. It is the creator of new life, the bestower of gentility and politeness. This is achieved by applying Bindi /Tilak with the thumb. Women should use the ring finger for applying Bindie with unbroken rice grains. Men should also use unbroken rice grains (Akshat) mixed in red chandan and apply the Tilak with the thumb. The peace. It is referred to as Deva Dhanya.... grains of the Gods. In fine, it is said thus "Soonya Lalatam Smasana Sadrusham", which means that a forehead without Bottu / Bindi / Tilak / Namam / Swaroopam is like a grave - yard! Suffice it is to say, a visitor to the grave yard has to take head bath while returning home duly adhering to the custom, so also seeing human a face without Bottu. Through it sounds hard and harsh the Vaidik tradition is such that only commands rather than pleads or prays dearly.
Let us preserve, protect and promote by practice and preaching our ancient customs and culture, which are based on scientific conclusions. Being a Hindu is a divine blessings and it is the acme of our tradition. Let us commit to it.
