Significance of Tilak:

Why we put Tilak on the forehead?

Without the worship of Sri Ganesh no work in Sanatan Dharma should begin. Likewise,no religious work should begin
without a Tilak on the forehead.

Chandan or sandalpaste,Roli,Kumkum,Sindoor and Sacred Ash or Vibhuti can also be used as Tilak.

Tilak is a mark of auspiciousness. It is put on the forehead with sandal paste, sacred ashes or kumkum (red tumeric). The
devotees of Siva apply sacred ashes (Bhasma) on the forehead, the devotees of Vishnu apply sandal paste (Chandan), and
the worshippers of Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red tumeric powder.

The scriptures say: "A forehead without a Tilak, 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, an intellect without clearness, a disciple who
does not consider his preceptor as a form of God, a body devoid of health, a custom (Achar) without purity, austerity devoid
of fellow-feeling, speech in which truth is not the basis, a country without good people, work without wages, Sannyasa
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 sake only."

Tilak is applied at the Ajna Chakra, the space between the two eyebrows. It has a very cooling effect. Application of sandal
paste has great medicinal value, apart from the spiritual influence. Application of sandal paste will nullify the heating effect
when you concentrate and meditate at the Bhrumadhya. Tilak indicates the point at which the spiritual eye opens. Lord Siva
has a third eye at the Brumadhya. 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 three Karmas- Sanchita, Prarabdha and Agami,- and also all the sins committed in the countless
previous births, are burnt. When you apply the Tilak, you mentally imagine: "I am the one non-dual Brahman free from all
duality. May my eye of intuition open soon." You should remember this every time you apply a Tilak.

There are various methods of applying Tilak. Saivas apply three horizontal lines with the sacred ashes. The vaishnavas apply
three vertical lines (Tripundra) on the forehead. When they apply Tilak, they say: "O Lord, protect me from the evil effects
of the Trigunatmika Maya which has Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas as its binding cords."

The Tilak is used in various ways for different reasons.

Without the Tilak,Sandhya,Pooja,Deva Darshan,Tarpan and other religious should not be performed.

There are thirteen places on the human body where Tilak can be
placed.However it is only on the forehead that it is noble.The head is the summit of the body with the brain being the axis
of the entire body.

According to Hindu Astrology,Mesh Rasi or the House of Aries is on the forehead.The Lord of Mesh is Mars and His colour is
Red.This is why Red Chandan and Sindoor is placed as Tilak on the forehead.

The fingers used for applying Tilak are as follows:

At the base of the little finger is Mecury,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 at 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.Tilak applied with the ring-finger and the thumb is very benifical.

In addition to this,the Sun represents firmness,brilliance,honour,respect and faith.These are the blessings achieved by
applying Tilak with the ring-finger.Venus gives lifeforce,health,is the creator of new life,the bestower of gentility and
politeness.This is achieved by applying 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 unbroken rice grains symbolises steadfastness and firmness of the brain and is also a symbol of peace.

It is reffered to as Deva Dhanya----grains of the Gods.