Tilakam

## (References from Padma Purāṇa) ##

1.) What is a tilaka?

• A tilaka is a sacred mark worn on the forehead by all vaidikas.

2.) What are the types of tilaka?

• Tripuṇḍra and Ūrdhvapuṇḍra are the two prominent types of tilakas, though Śākta and other forms of Tilaka though exist. Tripuṇḍra is a combination of three or four, or upto six horizontal lines on the forehead, mostly worn by shaivas, smartas, and sudras. Ūrdhvapuṇḍra is worn by vaishnavas, two vertical stripes with a gap on the middle of the forehead.

3.) Importance of Tilakam.

• As stated by Padma Purāṇa, Uttara Khaṇḍa, Chapter 225, Verse 1 and the verses following it. (Directly giving the translation)
• Śaṅkara said:
  1-4. O you of an auspicious appearance, I shall tell you the greatness of the Ūrdhvapuṇḍra (vertical Vaiṣṇava mark on the forehead). The best brāhmaṇa would be free from the bond of the worldly existence just on having it. Within the large and very charming space in the Ūrdhvapuṇḍra, Viṣṇu, god of gods, is seated with Lakṣmī. Therefore, the body of him, on which there would be the mark, is the clean, auspicious temple of the lord. That devotee of Viṣṇu, who has the mark made with white clay, has bathed at all holy places, is prepared for all sacrifices.
• 5-8. 5-8. The brāhmaṇa having the mark is honoured among all people, (and) getting into an excellent aeroplane, goes to the highest place of Viṣṇu. The best brāhmaṇa should put on the mark thrice (a day), for purification of all sins, and for obtaining the fruit of performing sacrifices and digging wells and doing other acts of charity. (A man) seeing one having the mark, is freed from all sins. By saluting him devoutly he would obtain the fruit of all (kinds of) charity. The dead ancestors of him who wil feed a brāhmaṇa having the mark are undoubtedly pleased for crores of kalpas.

4.) Disadvantages of not having a Tilakam ###

• As stated by Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-Khaṇḍa, chapter 225, verses 9-14. (Directly giving the translation)

• 9-14. O you of an auspicious face, he who, having the mark, performs a śrāddha, would obtain, for crores of kalpas, the fruit of the śrāddha (performed) at Gayā. The religious merit of the sacrifices, gifts, penance, muttering (of hymns), sacrificial rites etc. of one having the mark is endless. All the sacrifices performed, wells dug, and other charitable acts done by him who does any act without having the mark, are useless. That human body which is without the mark should not be seen at all. It would be like a cremation ground. All the rites etc. which a man without the mark would do, are taken (away) by demons; and he goes down to hell. A brāhmaṇa well-versed in the Vedas, should have the mark with white clay. The wise one should never have it in an oblique manner even in a misery.

5.) What tilaka should one wear?

• As stated by Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-Khaṇḍa, chapter 225, verses 15-18. (Directly giving the translation)

• 15-18. Brāhmaṇas should have the mark. The mark of kṣatriyas should be round; that of vaiśyas should be striplike; that of śūdras should have three lines. The mark should be made with clay; the round one with musk; the strip-like one with sandal; and the three-lined one with sacred ash. The vertical mark is recommended for all. It is not prohibited. A kṣatriya etc. also, if he is Viṣnu’s devotee should have it. Brāhmaṇas are not to have the oblique or the strip-like mark. And they are not to worship any other (deity) than Viṣṇu, the highest lord.

Tilaka and it's significance

For sri vaishnavas

For gaudiyas

For madhvas, the back positions remain the same as sri vaishnavas and gaudiyas

Tilak positions for smartas