The sanctified tradition of Tilak-Tika was initiated & innovated by Bhagwan Swaminarayan himself in Swaminarayan Sampraday
Bhagwan Swaminarayan gave a command in Shikshapatri to apply Tilak & Tika with God’s sanctified Chandan & Kumkum
As a devotee of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, we should apply Tilak-Tika on our forehead everyday & for whole day
तत्तु गोपीचंदनेन चंदनेनाथवा हरेः ।
कार्यं पूजावशिष्टेन केसरादियुतेन च ॥ ४२॥
This vertical mark (Tilak) shall be made either with Gopichandan or with sandal paste with saffron, etc. received as prasad after puja of Lord Shri Krishna.
तन्मध्य एव कर्तव्यः पुण्ड्रद्रव्येण चंन्द्रकः ।
कुंकुमेनाथवा वृत्तो राधालक्ष्मीप्रसादीना ॥ ४३॥
And in the middle of this mark shall put on a round mark, either with Gopich andan or with Kum-Kum (red-powder) received as prasad of Shri Radha or Laxmiji.
You might have seen people coloring their faces full of the Indian flag colors during cricket match, you might have seen people having some kinds of tattoos of the name of dear ones on their hands
Why do they do like this ?
What do these all indicate?
It indicates their deep bonding, deep love & relationship with their beloved ones & beloved nation
Similarly, when we apply Tilak-Tika on our forehead, it shows our deep respect, relationship & love for God, Bhagwan Swaminarayan
The shape of Tilak represents the Charanarvind of God, pious feet of God
This shape is derived from the shape of the pious feet of God
Applying Tilak on our forehead means we are puting Pious Feet of God on our forehead
While the Round Kumkum Tika represents the devotee of God
By applying round kumkum Tika at the center of Tilak, it signifies that we have surrendered ourselves at the lotus-feet of God, Bhagwan Swaminarayan
We are the Sevak of Bhagwan Swaminarayan & the place of Sevak is always at the lotus feet of God, always at the service of God
As a small kid feels safe & secure in the lap of his Mother, similarly the refuge of a devotee lies at the pious feet of God
Ritual of applying Tilak-Tika on our forehead signifies the Sharanagati towards God
As our head is the symbol of Pride & when we apply pious Charanaravind on our forehead, God takes our responsibility & protects us from adversities & disasters.
Why Tilak-Tika ? | 6 Powerful Reasons | Part 1 | Swaminarayan Gurukul Hyd • Why Tilak-Tika ? | 6 P...