Marking the Body With Tilaka and Other Symbols

Applying Urdhva-pundra-tilaka

Chant the following verses while rubbing gopi-candana in your right palm; then, while applying tilaka and clearing the middle space, chant the name of the appropriate form of the Lord.

om kesavaya namah – forehead
om narayanaya namah – navel
om madhavaya namah – chest
om govindaya namah – hollow of the neck
om visnave namah – right abdomen
om madhusudanaya namah – right arm
om trivikramaya namah – right shoulder
om vamanaya namah – left abdomen
om sridharaya namah – left arm
om hrsikesaya namah – left shoulder
om padmanabhaya namah – upper back
om damodaraya namah – lower back

Alternatively, chant the verses given below one line at a time while applying the tilaka to the indicated places on your body. After each line of the verse, while clearing the space in the middle (where the Lord resides), chant the name of the appropriate form of the Lord. (Example: Chant lalate kesavam dhyayen and apply tilaka to your forehead; then chant om kesavaya namah and clear the space in the middle)

When applying Tilak When clearing centre Position on body
lalate kesavam dhyayen
narayanam athodare
vaksah-sthale madhavam
govindam kantha-kupake
om kesavaya namah
om narayanaya namah
om madhavaya namah
om govindaya namah
forehead
stomach
chest
hollow of the throat
visnum ca daksine kaksau
bahau ca madhusudanam
trivikramam kandhare tu
vamanam vama-parsvake
om visnave namah
om madhusudanaya namah
om trivikramaya namah
om vamanaya namah
right side
right upper arm
right shoulder
left side
sridharam vama-bahau tu
hrsikesam tu kandhare
prsthe ca padmanabham ca
katyam damodaram nyaset
om sridharaya namah
om hrsikesaya namah
om padmanabhaya namah
om damodaraya namah
left upper arm
left shoulder
upper back
lower back

When one marks the forehead with tilaka, he must remember Kesava. When one marks the lower abdomen, he must remember Narayana. For the chest, one should remember Madhava, and when marking the hollow of the neck one should remember Govinda. Lord Visnu should be remembered while marking the right side of the belly, and Madhusudana should be remembered when marking the right arm. Trivikrama should be remembered when marking the right shoulder, and Vamana should be remembered when marking the left side of the belly. Sridhara should be remembered while marking the left arm, and Hrsikesa should be remembered when marking the left shoulder. Padmanabha and Damodara should be remembered when marking the back. [Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 20.202, purport]

The sikha area is not marked with tilaka; rather, after washing the right hand, wipe the remaining water on your sikha while chanting om vasudevaya namah.

Sometimes devotees also like to decorate their bodies with the names of the Lord or pictures of the Lord’s feet. For this metal stamps that are purchased in India are used.