Urdhwa Pundra , Veda and Upanishas

Urdhwa Pundra , Veda and Upanishas

Compiled by

P.R.Ramachander

 Urdhva-pundra refers to the two vertical marks placed on the forehead and other parts of the body to indicate surrender to Lord Vishnu. The Padma Purana and Yajur Veda state that urdhva-pundra symbolizes the lotus foot of Vishnu. 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 Vishnu and mentally placing the Lord in those positions.

"The Padma Purana also states that wearing urdhva-pundra is a mandatory prerequisite for performing yajna, charity, austerity, Vedic study, sandhya rites (such as chanting Gayatri japa), or indeed any spiritual activity. ..

"To see someone wearing Vaishnava tilaka is very
auspicious. In the Padma Purana Lord Shiva says to Parvati that one who sees a Vaishnava brahmana wearing tilaka is freed from all sin, and if he remembers the name of that Vaishnava with devotion he obtains the result of giving everything he owns in charity. In the Brahmanda Purana the Lord says, "Even if born a chandala, or dog-eater, whoever wears Vishnu-tilaka at the time of death, regardless of where he dies, mounts a Vaikuntha airplane and ascends to My abode. If a man invites a Vaishnava wearing tilaka into his home and feeds him, I liberate twenty generations of that man's family from hell."

"If a devotee applies the marks of the Lord and chants His name, the Lord becomes pleased and resides with him. In this way the material body becomes a sanctified temple of the Lord. The Brahmanda Purana states that a devotee who applies his tilaka with great care while looking in a mirror or looking at his reflection in water goes to the Lord's supreme abode.

"The tilaka is applied to twelve parts of the body-that is, on the
forehead, navel, heart, throat, sides of the abdomen, arms, shoulders, nape of the neck, and lower back. Applying tilaka on these places and reciting Vishnu's names sanctifies and dedicates the body to the Lord's service.

"The Hari-bhakti-vilasa mentions that the urdhva-pundra may vary in shape, color, and material according to a devotee's sampradaya, but other features are shared. It should not be crooked, uneven, uncentered, dirty, or bad-smelling. On the forehead, the center portion between the two lines should be open from the eyebrows to the hair line, but should be joined at the bottom. The solid portion may extend three quarters of the way down the nose. Lord Vishnu is said to reside (From  http://aboutmybook.com/node/8 )

VAsudeva Upanishad from Sama Veda   also refers  to how it is to be worn.  I have translated this upanishd (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/vedicsection/upanishads/vasudeva.asp )

Since there  are differences in the way the OOrdhwa Pundra is put   as well as the materials used  (To my knowlwdgw there are  nine different  methods according to the school of Vaishnavism that you follow) please adhere   to your family tradition