Tatu Gopichandanena Chandanenathva Hareha |
Shatanand explains that Gopichandan is a special type of mud, which is famed in Dwarika. Legend has it that after the demise of Shree Krishna, his wives striken with grief, fell to the earth and became one with the earth. This area is known as ‘Gopi Tarava’ and this is where Gopichandan can be found. Alternatively any other purified mud or paste can be used which has been offered to God. This could be sandalwood paste etc.
Shatanand says, Atra Gopichandaneneti Tirthamruda Upalaksharnam - Gopichandan can be taken to mean the mud or paste from a place of pilgrimage. Acharmadhava of Brahmand Purana explains, ‘The mud from the pinnacle of a mountain, the banks of a river, a place of pilgrimage renowned by Vaishnavas, the banks of an ocean or sea, an ant hill or serpent’s burrow and the paste of a Tulsi plant should always be favoured for marking the Tilak.’
Vyaas adds, ‘Those who use the mud from the banks of the River Ganges on their forehead destroy darkness by being endowed with the form of lustre of the sun.’ Satyapa says ‘Those who use on their foreheads, the mud from the banks of the River Gomati, made from the bodies of Gopis, are freed from all sin.’
Padma Purana explains, ‘The mud from places of pilgrimage should be used to mark the Urdvapundra on the forehead.’ Skanda Purana explains. ‘Paste of the Tulsi plant, Gopichandan or the paste of sandalwood duly offered to God, should be used by Vaishnavas to mark the Urdvapundra.’
In some instances the use of Gopichandan is forbidden. Dharma Pravarti of Smrutisarasmuchai explains, ‘Gopichandan should never be used for purposes of perfuming the body, during Sutak period (ten days succeeding a birth or death), during a wedding, when a child is born and other such occasions.’ At such times other pastes should be used, as Chandan offered to God in Pooja is never forbidden for use.
Uddhava explains, ‘O Lord! Those who first offer thee flower garlands, paste (Chandan), clothing and ornaments such as jewellery and only then use such things for personal use, can overcome the clutches of Maya (illusion).’ ‘After bathing, one should mark the Tilak using paste. After ‘Homa’ - sacrificial offering, one should mark the Tilak using the ash from the sacrifice, to destroy all sins.’ Thus in this way the Tilak-Chandlo is glorified in Shastras such as Padma Purana and Urdvapundra Dharamvada. Only those substances mentioned in Shastras should be used to mark the forehead