Satsang & Philosophy -> Tilak Chandlo

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Different sampradays and sects in the Sanaatan Dharma use different symbols and marks to distinguish themselves from others. Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan has prescribed the Urdhvapundra Tilak and Chandlo for His Sampraday.

The Tripundra tilak is a mark (often made on the forehead) of three horizontal lines. Followers of the Shiva Sampraday can be found wearing this. Followers of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and other Vaishnavs use the Urdhvapundra tilak. This is a ‘U’ shape; two vertical lines meeting at the bottom. 
The Chandlo is made at the centre of the tilak. It is a representation of the moon and is often worn to show the moon in different proportions i.e half-moon or full moon. In the Swaminarayan Sampraday, the full moon chandlo is used.

The Urdhvapundra tilak can be made from Gopichandan, Kesar or Chandan. Gopichandan is the holy mud from Gokul and Vrndavan and therefore is already sarced. Kesar is known as saffron and is a very expensive spice which has a distinctive yellow/orange colour and mellow fragrance.
Chandan is sandalwood paste. Before using either kesar or chandan, it should be sanctified by offering it to Bhagwan or by using the kesar/chandan mix available from the temples which has already been offered to Bhagwan.

Chandan is used to do the tilaks because it is a very pure substance. It has very good healing properties and is often used on cuts and grazes. It is also widely used as a cooling substance. In India, during the month of Chaitar- one of the hottest times of the year, the deities at the temples are often decorated with chandan alone. This is because of the cooling properties of chandan.

Similarly, kesar is used mainly for its colour and fragrance. It produces a strong orange colour when soaked and mixes with chandan well. The orange colour is a popular symbol for purity and integrity. 
The chandlo is mostly done with kum-kum and sometimes with chandan. Kumkum is made from mixing haldi (turmeric) and limejuice to create a sharp red colour. Turmeric is one of the most important substances in ayurveda because it heals on external wounds and is also consumed for its anti-biotic properties. 

The ‘U’ shape of the tilak, represents the Lotus Feet of Bhagwan. The chandlo represents the daas (servant) and Shree Lakshmiji, who is always in the service of God. 
The tilak-chandlo is done on the forehead for many reasons. Firstly, as the tilak represents the Lord’s feet, it shows that we are keeping the Lord on our head meaning He is our priority in life- we remember Him in everything we do.

The three rivers of energy i.e. Ida, Pingla and Sushumna naadis run throughout the body and meet on the forehead. It is for this reason the tilak-chandlo is also placed there. 
The spiritual energy flows through the Ida, Pingla and Sushumna Nadis over seven centers or ‘chakras’. These are the Muladhaara where the legs join; the Swadhisthana at the belly; the Manipuraka at the lower chest; the Anahata at the chest; the Vishuddhi at the neck region, the Aagna at the center of the forehead and the Sahasrara at the top of the head.

The Aagna Chakra is also known as the third eye. By doing the tilak-chandlo there all thoughts are filtered as they enter the mind. It also helps ‘open’ the third eye which is important for dhyaan and bhakti. The Aagna Chakra is also a point of concentrated electromagnetic waves. Often when the mind is worried or has been concentrating for long, the area around the Aagna Chakra becomes heated. By doing the tilak-chandlo there the chandan and kesar are able to cool the Aagna Chakra
and maintain a balance. 
The forehead is also the location of the pineal gland responsible for homeostasis (time regulation in the body). The tilak and chandlo here with such substances keep the gland in balance. 
The most important reason for doing the Tilak Chandlo on the forehead is to show with pride who you belong to. It shows you are a proud follower of the Swaminarayan Sampraday and that you have devoted your life to Him.

Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan instructs His followers to do Tilak Chandlo on the chest and both arms as well as the forehead.

The chest is the location of the Anahata Chakra. It is also where the self, and ultimately Parmaatma, resides. It is to respect this that the tilak-chandlo is also done here.

The arms are a symbol of power and strength. The placing of the holy marks of Tilak Chandlo there represent the vow to use the strength for pious and religious purposes and not for futile means. 
The tilak is done by mixing the prasaadi (holy) chandan/kesar with some water to create a paste. This paste is then applied to a U-shaped stencil which is then placed on the appropriate part of the body. The third finger of the right hand is used to do the chandlo, although other clean items can be used to create a perfect round circle

When doing the chandlo one should recite 
“Aum Shree Vaasudevaay Namaha” on the forehead 
“Aum Shree Shankarshnaay Namaha” on the chest 
“Aum Shree Anirudhdhaay Namaha” on the left arm 
“Aum Shree Pradyumnaay Namaha” on the right arm.

Before commencing any poojans or rituals, the pandit would first do a tilak on the forehead of the yajmaan (hosts). This is because benefits cannot be reaped from pooja and bhakti without bearing a tilak-chandlo on the forehead.

Some people feel shy and hesitant to wear a tilak-chandlo on the forehead. This is shameful as how can one not be proud of being a follower of the Sarvopari Sarvaavtati Swaminarayan Bhagwan? Obviously, there is something lacking in His nishchay (conviction).

Swaminarayan Bhagwan has instructed His followers to carry a tilak-chandlo in the Shikshapatri Shloka 41-43 and Shloka 52. By not doing the Tilak Chandlo, the follower is in breach of the Shikshapatri and is lacking faith to follow the instructions of Bhagwan. After all, there are so many benefits of wearing the tilak-chandlo.

Some people do a very light or feint tilak-chandlo just for the sake of doing it. The tilak must be clearly visible and the chandlo must be in proportion to one’s forehead e.g. for a large forehead there must be a larger chandlo.

The tilak-chandlo also acts as a reminder to yourself as well as others. It makes one think twice before carrying out anything against the Shikshapatri and also sends out positive vibes to whoever sees it.

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