Every Hindu has a habit of applying either Vibhooti (Bhasma - Sacred Ash), Chandana, Gopichandana or Kumkuma on one’s forehead. They are tripundra i.e. three lines either vertical or horizontal.
The three lines signify the three qualities which constitutes the man, namely Sattva
(characterised by piety, clarity, freedom from agitation etc.), Rajas (characterised by activity, anger etc.) and Tamas (characterised by dullness, heaviness etc.) To signify that the three gunaas ought to be kept in right balance, three lines are drawn on forehead.
Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is
offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma. Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead.
Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it. The Bhasma or Ash denotes that at the end of life, everything in the world is reduced to nothingness. The pure white ash stands for Suddha Sattva i.e. Eeshvara alone remains.
The bhasma or urdhvapundra should be
applied with the attitude - “May I remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. “ The sacred mark keeps reminding us of this attitude to be followed in our lives. Scriptures recommend Mrityunjaya mantra to be chanted while applying bhasma on the forehead.
tryambakam yajaamahE
sugandhim puSHTivardhanam
urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan
mRtyOr mukSHeeyamaa amRtaat
“We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our
lives. May He free us from the shackles of
sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like
the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem.”
The Urdhvapundra or Naamam signifies wearing the footprint of Lord Naaraayana on the body and forehead.
It is called as ‘Naama’ as every pundra is worn uttering the name (Naama) of Lord Vishnu.The tilaka or dot with vermillion in the centre of the brow covers the Aajnya Chakra. The sacred vermillion helps to rejuvenate the Aajnya Chakra with its divine vibes.
It is the custom in Hindu House holds to offer Kumkum to the visiting Married Women (Sumangalis) as well as unmarried girls, when they take leave. This is considered auspicious.The tilaka is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces.