10-13-2005, 06:57 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->TILAKA AND NAMASKARA
Tilaka is the mark of red powder or sandalwood paste that is applied on the forehead. It is used by the Hindus. It has become practically a symbol of Hinduism.
To a Hindu the daily bath carries a lot of sanctity. It is a part of his prayer and worship. Immediately after bath the Hindu performs his daily prayer usually in his temple or in his own house. After his prayers is over he takes a little red or sandal powder placed at the feet of Lord and applies it to his forehead. The ladies usually make a round mark and that is called tilaka. Men are more accustomed to use it in the form of straight line. Whatever way these marks are made the Hindu retains it throughout the day.
This practice has significance. The Hindu believes that the purpose of life is to realize the Infinite Reality. This is achieved by reflection and contemplation which he practices in his prayer-room. But he cannot continue his prayer all day long since his duties and obligations compel him to go into the world and work. He therefore leaves his prayers room with the idea of coming back to it after fulfilling his obligations. While leaving he takes a little powder from Lord and applies it to his forehead with an idea to remember that all his actions in the external world are dedicated to the achievement of this supreme goal of Realization. The forehead is the seat of memory. Applying the tilaka on the forehead symbolizes the retention of the memory of the Lord in all his activities. That is to remember upon the Reality in and through his activities throughout the day.
  When a Hindu meets another Hindu the first thing that strikes them both is the mark on the forehead. It constantly reminds each other of the purpose of their existence, their dedication to the realization of the supreme Reality. They confirm this understanding by greeting each other with folded arms. This gesture is called namaskara. The gesture of namaskara is to join two palms together in front of him and bow his head to the joint palms.
   Each palm represents the separate individuality. Each palm supports the five fingers. Similarly, each personality has the five different parts of the personality are called pancha-koshas literally meaning the five sheaths. They are the food sheath (annamaya-kosha), vital-air sheath (pranamaya-kosha), mental sheath (manomaya kosha),
   Intellectual sheath (vignanamaya kosha) and bliss sheath (anandamaya kosha). These five sheaths are supported by the Atman, the supreme Self which is the eternal Reality. The five sheaths are different from individual to individual but the Reality that supports them all is one and the same in all individualities. The truth is declared when the Hindus greet each other with namaskara. The two palms joined together as one indicates that the Reality or Atman in both are one and the same. To this unifying Infinite Atman the Hindu bows in reverence when he does namaskara.
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Tilaka is the mark of red powder or sandalwood paste that is applied on the forehead. It is used by the Hindus. It has become practically a symbol of Hinduism.
To a Hindu the daily bath carries a lot of sanctity. It is a part of his prayer and worship. Immediately after bath the Hindu performs his daily prayer usually in his temple or in his own house. After his prayers is over he takes a little red or sandal powder placed at the feet of Lord and applies it to his forehead. The ladies usually make a round mark and that is called tilaka. Men are more accustomed to use it in the form of straight line. Whatever way these marks are made the Hindu retains it throughout the day.
This practice has significance. The Hindu believes that the purpose of life is to realize the Infinite Reality. This is achieved by reflection and contemplation which he practices in his prayer-room. But he cannot continue his prayer all day long since his duties and obligations compel him to go into the world and work. He therefore leaves his prayers room with the idea of coming back to it after fulfilling his obligations. While leaving he takes a little powder from Lord and applies it to his forehead with an idea to remember that all his actions in the external world are dedicated to the achievement of this supreme goal of Realization. The forehead is the seat of memory. Applying the tilaka on the forehead symbolizes the retention of the memory of the Lord in all his activities. That is to remember upon the Reality in and through his activities throughout the day.
  When a Hindu meets another Hindu the first thing that strikes them both is the mark on the forehead. It constantly reminds each other of the purpose of their existence, their dedication to the realization of the supreme Reality. They confirm this understanding by greeting each other with folded arms. This gesture is called namaskara. The gesture of namaskara is to join two palms together in front of him and bow his head to the joint palms.
   Each palm represents the separate individuality. Each palm supports the five fingers. Similarly, each personality has the five different parts of the personality are called pancha-koshas literally meaning the five sheaths. They are the food sheath (annamaya-kosha), vital-air sheath (pranamaya-kosha), mental sheath (manomaya kosha),
   Intellectual sheath (vignanamaya kosha) and bliss sheath (anandamaya kosha). These five sheaths are supported by the Atman, the supreme Self which is the eternal Reality. The five sheaths are different from individual to individual but the Reality that supports them all is one and the same in all individualities. The truth is declared when the Hindus greet each other with namaskara. The two palms joined together as one indicates that the Reality or Atman in both are one and the same. To this unifying Infinite Atman the Hindu bows in reverence when he does namaskara.
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