Hare Krishna,
Dear Prabhuji and Maathaaji,
I request you to clear my doubt that why are we applying tilaka (gopi chantana) in 13 places of our body? Whether any scientifical reason?
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Hare Krishna!!!
Jai Gurudev!!! Jai Prabhupada!!!
Nothing to doubts whether its scientific or not what our we follow in K.C or other bona fied sampradaya are all based on sastra’s we may not knowing the meaning or reason but its all having perfect meaning why we are doing….The Padma Purana and yajur veda state that urdhva – pundra symbolizes the lotus feet of visnu. The twelve parts of the body on which we place the urdhva –pundra marks are not arbitrary points. They are sensitive points that easily absorb the spiritual energy generated by reciting the names of lord visnu and mentally placing the lord in those positions.
If the devotee applies the marks of the lord and chant his name, the lord becomes pleased and resides with him. In this way the material body becomes sanctified temple of the lord.
The Brahma purana states that a devotee who applies his tilaka with great care while looking in a mirror or looking at the reflection in water goes to the lord’s supreme abode.
By Applying tilaka on this place and reciting Vishnu’s names one sanctifies and dedicates the body to the lord’s service.
Two Vertical lines are the lotus feet of the lord visnu and bottom is tualsi.
We use gopi chantan its from holy place of vrindavan where the transcendental past time happen between divine couple of sri sri radha and krishna and his pure devotee Gopies. The gopies are very pure devotees and top most in the bhakti. When we apply the dust of pure devotee in our body certainly purify our material existence and bring close to the lotus feet of lord sri krishna.
Srilaprabhupada Glorifies the Tilaka in the following in srimad bhagavatam Purport 4.12.28 In kali – yuga one can hardly acquire gold or jeweled ornaments, but the twelve tilaka marks on body are sufficient as auspicious decoration to purify the body.
More detail u can refer Vaisnava Etiqutte manual how to apply, where to apply what is the mantra should be recited in each place.
Hare krishna
Jai prabhupada
Ur servant
Rasika Govinda Das
Hare Krishna,
Thank you prabhuji.