Kartavyamurdhvapundra Cha Pumbhireva Sachandrakam |
All male devotees are to mark their foreheads in this way - the Urdvapundra Tilak with the round Chandlo in the centre. Lord Swaminarayan in the next few Shlokas clarifies the Tilak Chandlo Vidhi for all types of people.
In this Shloka he first explains the Tilak Chandlo to be marked by male devotees: Urdvapundrarni Cha Grihastrauha Sadhubhischa Lalateya Hrudi Bahoscheti Chatvari Vasudevashankarshanpradyumnaniruddhanamamantraurdharyarnityuktam: ‘Urdvapundra should be marked by householders (Grihastas) and saints (Sadhus). It should be marked on the forehead (Lalata), chest/heart (Hrudi) and both arms (Baho) whilst chanting the Mantras: Vasudeva, Shankarsharna, Pradyumna and Aniruddha.’
Brahmcharis and Vanaprasthas are to mark five places - the four as above and additionally the neck. They should chant the Vishnu Gayatri Mantra: Ohm Narayana Vidmahe Vasudevai Dhimahi Teno Vishnu Prachodayat. Incidentally, Grihastas and the like should chant the Gayatri Mantra - Ohm Bhura Ohm Bhuva Ohm Svaha Tatsaviturvarernyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayaata. Tyagis and Brahmcharis may alternatively chant any five names of Shree Krishna and other incarnations.
Acharmadhav of Brahmanda Purana explains that even the colours of the Chandlo are significant: ‘A black Tilak will derive peace; a red Tilak will bring obedience and control; a yellow one will bring wealth; one which is white will deliver devotion to Vishnu; a Tilak of correct size, marked using one’s fingers will offer the Lord’s support and blessing; a Tilak in the centre of the forehead will bring youth and long life; the Chandlo made using the third finger (Anamika) will deliver joy; and a bounded Tilak will ultimately bring salvation’. Thus one should mark the Tilak with the correct finger making sure that the nail of the finger does not come into use when marking.
Acharmayukh provides the specification for the Tilak: ‘The Urdhva should be absolutely straight (vertical) at a thickness of the little finger - Urdhvapundramrujum Saumyam Kanishtangulivat Smrutam. It should extend from the top of the nose to the hairline.’
Santaralam Prakurvanti Pundra Haripadakruti - ‘One which has space in the middle (is not full bodied but is hollow) and is marked like the Lord’s lotus feet.’ The Tilak made using the finger should also be sized like a finger. Shatanand then explains the two types of Tilaks – Haripadakruti, which is slightly wider at the top and Dandakruti which is parallel. It is further explained that Dandakruti Tilak is to be marked upon the forehead, a lotus shaped Tilak upon the chest, bamboo shaped Tilaks on both arms and ‘Divo’ - naked flame shaped Tilak elsewhere.
Skanda Purana explains that the Tilak should be made using a mirror or by looking at one’s reflection in the water. The Tilak should be made using mud or paste with space in the middle so that the Tilak or ‘U’ shape is distinct from the round Chandlo.
Shatanand then explains those Tilaks marked by people which are considered unacceptable and even despicable: A circular Tilak (not vertical), unstraight - leaning to one side, without space in the middle i.e. not hollow, too small, broken - i.e. the ‘U’ must be complete, without a base - i.e. just two vertical lines, too big, dirty - not of a pure or brilliant colour, made without the use of water, too red, made without the fingers and made using substances with a bad odour.
Kasyaha Sadhvanaribhirmalaye Kumkumchandrakaha ||
Finally, married women should wear a Kum-Kum Chandlo upon the forehead. Bhrigu Muni explains:
Lalataye Kumkumam Nasabhushanam Karkankaram |
Karashtasutram Cha Sadhva Durayena Kadachana ||
‘A married woman should never renounce the Kum-Kum Chandlo on her forehead, the nose stud or ring, bangles of ivory on the wrist and the black necklace (Mangal Sutra)’.