Tanmadhya Eva Kartavyata Pundradravyera Chandarkaha |
The centre (Madhya) of the Tilak (Pundra) is stipulated here. Thus it should be neither too high nor too low. Pundradravyera - that which is used to mark the Tilak should be used to mark the Chandlo (Chandrakaha)
Sarsamgraha’s Vishnu Dharmotara explains, ‘O King! Vaishnavas in order to please Lakshmi and earn her favour should wear a Chandlo made from Kum-Kum in the centre of the Urdvapundra Tilak, daily.’ By doing so, we are showered with wealth, as Lakshmi is the Goddess of Wealth. Kum-Kum has been glorified here and so it should be used in preference to others substances ideally.
Kumkumenathava Vruto Radhalaksmiprasadapi - The Kum-Kum offered to Radha or Lakshmi is considered the greatest. Kum-Kum that is offered to Radha-Lakshmi is above all else and will surely provide all that one requires.
This Shloka is really for men (as explained later) and commands them to wear a Tilak (U - shaped mark) using Gopichandan (yellow or orange paste) with a round circle of red powder - Kum-Kum in the middle of the Tilak. This sign is somewhat specific to members of the Swaminarayan sect, but as we can see, it is in actual fact the mark for all Vaishnavas. All Vaishnavas should mark their foreheads in exactly this way. There are many sects that wear different markings - some mark only the U - shape Tilak and not the Chandlo. The Chandlo in some sects is too far down. Sometimes women wear the Tilak and not the Chandlo. The Tilak may be too long or too short. It may be too wide or too narrow. The Chandlo may be too small or too big. In all such cases the sizes should be proportionate and should complement each other.
Jugal Upasna should always be practised - the worship of Radha and Krishna or Lakshmi and Narayan and therefore both the Tilak and Chandlo should be worn by men to signify both Bhakta and Bhagwan. Those who do not act in this way can never fully fulfil their devotion to God. Shrischa Yasyasti Vakshasi - Lakshmi resides in the heart of God and therefore the Chandlo must reside within the heart of the Tilak.