There’s a story related to Hindu spiritual customs that begins, strangely enough, in mirrors instead of temples.

When you stand in front of a mirror and look closely at your reflection, right between your eyebrows, a space you might have never paid attention to, and you will see what ancient India believed was the doorway to another kind of sight, and the key to that door, was a single touch of colour; the Tilak.

The Ancient Origins of the Tilak

Picture this: A morning in Banaras, perhaps centuries ago. The Ganga flowing under a mist. A young warrior stands before a mirror, and his mother dips her finger in a specially prepared paste and draws a mark on his forehead. He closes his eyes for a moment, feeling a strange calm spread through him. When he opens them again, he finds that he has turned into a warrior, ready to march into battle.

The Hidden Story Behind the Tilak

In today’s world of face scans, forgetting that the forehead once held the key to unlock the mind itself is easy. The spot where a Tilak is put is known as the Ajna Chakra, often also called the ‘Third Eye’.

Let’s think of the Ajna Chakra as your inner Wi-Fi, connecting you not to the internet, but to your inner net, which is the vast, silent intelligence within. People have said that when this Chakra is awakened, through meditation or focus, one begins to “see” in ways the eyes simply cannot. Your intuition sharpens, your thoughts align, and your mind quietens.

It’s almost like turning a switch in your brain and putting it on silent mode. The noise fades, and with it, arrives clarity.

But there’s a lot more to this than meets the eye!

In ancient times, kings and warriors wore Tilaks before they went into battle. This was said to give them the mental clarity they needed to stay safe on the battlefield and come back victorious.

The Tilak and the Pineal Gland

When you consult science, you will find out that this spot houses the pineal gland, linked to our sleep, mood, as well as perception. When a Tilak is applied there, it is said to cool the nerves and purify the skin. Ayurveda says it balances your body’s energy flow.

So essentially, your dadi’s routine of applying a Tilak on everyone’s forehead after morning prayers is like a form of stress management!

The Tilak as a Modern Symbol of Mindfulness

Interestingly, the Tilak is also a small act of mindfulness. Think about it. Before you start your daily hustle, you take a moment to mark your centre, to remind yourself that you are more than just your daily grind. That Tilak is the pause between the chaos of the world and the calm of the soul.

The Real Meaning of the Tilak

Today, we wear smartwatches to measure out steps, rings that track our sleep, and apps that promise a peaceful existence, and yet, thousands of years ago, a mark on the forehead did all of what this new technology claims to do!

So the next time you see someone with a Tilak, be it at a temple, or at a wedding, or even in your office, don’t just see it as a streak of colour. See the story behind the Tilak. A story of faith, focus, and a reminder that divinity begins right between our eyes.

Maybe the real purpose of the Tilak has never been religion or faith. Perhaps, it has always been about remembering that the most sacred temple we could enter was the mind itself!

When our ancestors drew a Tilak, they paused to find their stillness before stepping into the world. Do you also take a moment before your day begins, or do you rush straight into the chaos?