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.
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 14th 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.
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.
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