Bindi and Tilak – A Biblical Response

Indian women especially Hindus have custom to wearing a round, red mark between the eyebrows. Generally, it is called ‘Bindi’ in Hindi, which derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Bindu’ meaning ‘point’ or ‘dot’. It is called different names in different states i.e. ‘phot’ in Assam, ‘Pottu’ or ‘Kunkuma’ in Tamilnadu,  ‘Netri’ or Tilakam' in Kerala, ‘Kunkoo’ or ‘Tikali’ in Maharastra, ‘Tilakam’  in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Bottu’ in Karnataka and so on and in Nepal, it is called ‘Tika’. The application of the ‘Bindi’ is common amongst Hindu women in other countries like in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bali. It is often an essential part of a Hindu woman make-up.

Most of Christian ministers prohibit its use for Christian women. It is still in debate that is it appropriate to use for church going believers. Before going to any conclusion, we need to understand its religious, social and cultural significance.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE

In Hindu metaphysics, ‘bindi’ is considered the point at which creation begins and unites. It represents the universe. Traditionally in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, the place where a bindi or tilak is put is associated with Ajna Chakra. Ajna Chakra is known as the centre of spiritual energy within human body. According to the dictionary of Yoga, Ajna Chakra is also called third eye and the ‘bindi’ or 'tilak' represents it. In order to stimulate this third eye, auspicious Kumkum (turmeric powder) and Chandan (sandalwood) paste is applied between the eyebrows. Therefore, Hindus use mix paste of Kumkum and Chandan as tilak whenever they observe poojas or religious rituals. They believe that through the application of tilak they can obtain extraordinary perspective and they can see the things which things cannot be seen by their physical eyes. It is also believed that its application helps an individual to attain enlightenment and get closer to god to whom he is trying to reach.

Even it ancient days, when warriors go for battle, their wives used to put a red colour tilak on their foreheads before marching toward battlefields. Red colour is said to be a symbol for power and strength. Thus tilaks are used to purify the intellect, improve concentration skills, retain energy, bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.

CULTURAL SIGNIFCANCE

In ancient days, when warriors came back from battlefield after conquer, women of city were used to put a red tilak on their foreheads as they were welcomed, which was the symbol of honour.  It is also used as a mark of marriage. In northern region of India, it is inevitable to wear a bindi for Hindu married women. A widow is not allowed to wear a bindi. Elders of household do not like to see their daughter-in-law without wearing a bindi. To them, if a married woman doesn’t wear bindi, it is a taboo. 

SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE

A bindi is also seen as an enhancement of beauty.  An old Indian proverb says, “A woman’s beauty is multiplied thousands times when she wears a bindi.” Nowadays we could see women wear bindi to beautify themselves and it is used as a fashion accessory. On 14^th April 2013, Hollywood actress Selena Gomez performed in MTV Movie Awards wearing bindi, a Hindu leader named Rajan Zad demanded her to apologize for wearing bindi as a fashion accessory. Even his reaction has not stopped those who use it as fashion accessory.  Beside Selena Gomez, International celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts, Madonna and many others have been seen wearing bindi in public events.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE FOR GUIDELINE
There are many issues on which the Bible does not speak directly, which can be termed as ‘the gray areas’. Bindi and Tilak come under this category and we need to give a mindful and biblical consideration to decide on this crucial issue in the light of evangelistic principle. Apostle Paul writes in the epistle to Corinthians, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Geeks or to the Church of God, just as I try to please everyone I everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor. 10:31-33). We Christians are committed to witness the Lord to the world. Therefore Apostle Paul was more concerned to see people embrace Christ rather than to exercise his own freedom. Thus he willing put aside his freedom for the sake of the Gospel.

Whether or not you are aware of it, what you allow or disallow affects your witness for Christ and ministry as well. The choice you make in the gray areas should reflect your concern not to bring offense to God’s reputation but to bring HIS honour instead. Therefore a bindi should not hinder people to embrace and to honour the Christ as their Lord and Saviour; and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

CONCLUSION

It is true that every custom within Hindu culture has certain meaning, and almost all Indian custom are linked with to their gods and goddesses in one or other way, but we need to know that terms ‘bindi’ and ‘tilak’ are overlapping, but are not synonymous. A tilak is made out of kumkum / sandalwood powder, whereas a bindi is jewel made out of stone / plastic. A tilaka is usually applied for religious or spiritual reasons, or to honour a person. A bindi can signify marriage, or be simply for decorative purposes. A bindi is worn only between the eyes, whereas a tilak can also cover the face or other parts of the body. Tilak can be applied to twelve parts of the body: head, forehead, neck, both upper-arms, both forearms, chest, both sides of the torso, stomach and shoulder. Typically the Bindi is worn only by women, whereas tilak is worn by both men and women.

Therefore this is my recommendation to believers that we should not put a tilak on our foreheads. Tilak always is associated with pagan tradition as a lucky charm or source of mystical energy. In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, Apostle Paul writes, “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Thus we should have nothing to do with the stuff of idolatry and we need to be distant from it.

In other side regarding of bindi, this is my recommendation that Christian women can use it as cultural and social phenomena. They can wear it as fashion accessory in order to enhance their beauty. Women can wear a bindi as a symbol of married women, which can be act as safeguard for them. But we should not apply kumkum (turmeric powder) or chandan (sandalwood) powder as bindi, but the bindi which are being sold out commercially in the market and it has nothing to do with any religious significance, can be used as social and cultural phenomena.