Speaker 1:
Pranam (Greetings), Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, Baba. Speak.
Speaker 1:
Today, I want to ask you about a special matter. We often see people applying a Tilak (sacred mark) on their foreheads—some apply red, while others use different colors. I would like to know about that. Additionally, I'd like you to tell us something about the Mahanirvana Tantra.
Gurudev:
Well, first, regarding the Mahanirvana Tantra. There are three main branches of Tantra: Agama, Nigama, and Mahanirvana. These are the three primary texts. People follow whichever they are capable of, but Mahanirvana Tantra is associated with Tibet and Buddhism. I will explain it in detail another day.
Gurudev:
In that tradition, there is no concept of violence; they are completely non-violent (Ahimsa). Like the Jain religion, they are entirely peaceful. They do not approve of things like bones, skulls, or cremation ground rituals. They achieve "Nirvana" or spiritual liberation by meditating under a tree. This Tantra is quite significant. Among the three—Agama (by Krishnananda Agambagish), Nigama, and Mahanirvana—this one focuses on the awakening of the conscience. If you can awaken your conscience, as the Buddha taught, you can walk the path of Nirvana. I will speak more on this in a later episode as it is a broad topic.
Gurudev:
Now, about the Raj-Tilak. In our childhood, we saw Brahmins carrying a tray with flowers, red sandalwood, and white sandalwood. They would go from shop to shop performing a small ritual and then apply a Tika (mark) on people's foreheads. Whether red or white, they would apply it and receive some money in return. This practice has almost disappeared now. I occasionally see an elderly gentleman who still does this.
Gurudev:
The word Tilak actually refers to Raj-Tilak (Royal Coronation). This was meant for kings and emperors. In the past, when a king went to war or embarked on a significant task, he was given a Raj-Tilak. It wasn't just simple vermilion or sandalwood; a special "Tika" was prepared with various ingredients. A royal priest would apply it, or sometimes the Queen herself would perform a ceremony and apply the mark, saying, "Jayastu Bhava" (May you be victorious). That was the true Raj-Tilak.
Gurudev:
From that tradition, the general use of Tilak emerged. However, the Tilak people wear today is not the same. Those who wear it now aren't going to war. I see many people of a "Tantric" disposition who have a Tilak on their forehead, but they might drink alcohol and lose their senses. Many who come to me have these marks—vermilion from the Goddess's forehead applied hastily to their own.
Gurudev:
The vermilion of the Mother Goddess is sacred to her, but what value does it hold for us if we use it and then consume alcohol, hurl insults, or commit sins? This is at the root of the current state of our country. If the Pandas (temple priests) and servants of the Mother do not understand this, nothing can be done. I've seen it at Kalighat—they take vermilion from the Goddess's forehead and apply it to every passerby.
Gurudev:
The significance of the Tilak is royal. As I said, it is a "Victory Mark" for kings. Bamdev Baba (Bama Khepa) never wore a Tilak. He told us, "Do not wear a Tika; it is not for you. It is for kings. You aren't going to war, so why wear it?" This has become a way for temple priests to earn money.
Gurudev:
Whether it's Kalighat, Tarapith, or Kamakhya, as soon as you enter the temple, they slap a red mark on your forehead. No one considers whether it is good or bad; it's all about the money. People feel like they've achieved something great by wearing it, but it's quite the opposite. The vermilion on the Goddess's head is highly sacred to her. Think about how disrespectful it is for us to take that and then go about our worldly, often sinful, lives.
Gurudev:
We see some people who are truly spiritual, like Vaishnavas, who wear a Tilak according to their scriptures using sandalwood. That is different; it is a sign of devotion, not a "Victory Mark."
Gurudev:
Nowadays, temple priests see a devotee as a "sacrificial goat." They take the vermilion and put it on the devotee's head just for a fee. People think this brings them blessings, but it doesn't. You wear that mark and feel like you've conquered the world, but then you might go and drink or behave poorly. It's just for show—to show others "I have returned from a pilgrimage."
Gurudev:
Furthermore, men have no right to apply vermilion (Sindoor) to the Mother Goddess. In our tradition, we have women apply the vermilion and the red dye (Alta) to the Goddess's feet. Men do not have that right. Yet, today, you see men doing it.
Gurudev:
I've also spoken out about the practice of "watching the bath" (Maha Snan) of the Goddess. People pay 3,000 or 4,000 rupees to watch the ritual bath of the Mother. It's terrible. Even Lord Narayana does not watch the Mother's bath. When the Mother bathes, all the deities remain above; they do not look. They shower flower petals from the heavens. The bath usually happens around 4:00 AM.
Gurudev:
I once told a man who boasted about paying to see the Goddess's bath, "I will give you 10,000 rupees to watch your wife bathe. Are you okay with that?" He was shocked. I told him, "You paid to watch the Mother of the Universe bathe, yet you find my offer offensive? You are a sinner." Later, he realized his mistake and came to me to confess his guilt.
Gurudev:
We are Hindus. We should follow what is written in our scriptures. A man only applies vermilion to a woman during marriage. Otherwise, he has no business touching it. This commercialization is for money. The more we disrespect the Divine, the further the world sinks into decadence.
Gurudev:
When you go to the Mother's temple, go as a beggar (Bhikhari). Say, "Mother, I am a beggar at your door; if you have anything to give, please give it." Remove your expensive watches and rings before you enter. Go with humility. But today, everyone thinks they are a priest or a leader.
Gurudev:
The Raj-Tilak is different. In some rare cases, we see a natural mark on a person's forehead that looks like a Raj-Tilak. We see it, but we don't say anything.
Speaker 1:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Gurudev:
Pranam, Baba. Pranam.