Red spot Indian women wear on their forehead

Red spot Indian women wear on their forehead.

 

 

 

A friend from Canada asked what is the meaning of red spot (Bindi) indian women wear on their forehead.

 

Traditionally, the bindi is worn on the forehead of married Hindu women. It symbolizes female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Bindis are traditionally a simple mark made with the paste of coloured sandalwood, sindoor or turmeric. The bindi is most commonly a red dot made with vermilion.

In addition, the bindi is a way of accentuating the third eye, the area between the eyebrows where attention is focused during meditation.

 

 Now a days we get stickers of  all colours, sizes and shapes, very fancy ones also. Traditionaly it used to be red colour. It is used by married women to distinguish them from unmarried ones. We in India use other things also to indicate that this woman is married eg toe rings, anklets, glass bangles. In south India married women always wear flowers in their hair.

All these things have scientific reason also..

 

According to our yoga science there are seven energy centers in the body…the lowest one above the anus is called Mooladhar Chakra…it is the center  of brutal strength and sex.

 

Above it below the navel is the Swadishthan chakra its the center of learning

 

Just above the navel is the manipur  chakra its the seat of wisdom and emotion

 

The heart center is called Anahat chakra its the seat of love and compassion.

 

In the throat is the Vishudha chakra its the center of communication.

 

Behind the eyebrows in the forehead is the Agya chakra and its the center of power over the universe.

 

above the crown head is the Sahastradhara chakra or the thousand petals lotus which denotes self realisation.

 

The kundalini or the energy lies below the mooladhar chakra in the form of coiled serpent when we practice yogic life it starts rising and as it croses the seven energy centers it gives power and virtues, when it reaches the last center above the crown head the person becomes self realised and is established in self…now there is nothing to be known..he is like divine himself….

 

The bindi we put on the agya chakra it draws vibrations of power from the universe and gives virtue and power to the woman to run her household with patience, love, understanding, forgiveness….It also denotes the energy and tej (nearest meaning is brightness) of the sun.

 

Because we believe that Grahastha ashram (householder stage) is the greatest ashram where man and women enter wedlock to beget children, raise them to responsible citizens, also look after old parents and serve the society and unpriviledged, give charity for the poor and also the monks…The duties are greatest at this stage of life so the woman stands like pillar of strength with the husband and gives him power and cooperation to face everything…for this she draws energy from her innerself and the universe…hence the red spot..

 

The bangles, anklets and toe rings have accupressure purpose, they press certain nerves in that area which keeps the reproductive system healthy and in balance..

 

In Indian culture women are given great respect, they are the embodiment of shakti (power)…they are equal and greater than man…a man goes out and earns while the wife handles home, children, looks after elders and manages the finances sensibly…she gives purpose to any house hold and is the backbone of the family…

 

I hope I have been able to explain it…if you want to ask anything you are most welcome…wishing you all the best..