✽ WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF VERMILION POWDER (
According to Vedic scriptures, each chakra center contains special energy called Kundalini energy. When a chakra is open it can leak out energy. The Kumkum is said to protect against energy loss and strengthen the energy in the third eye and of the body in general.
KUMKUM) IN OUR CULTURE?
Because the Kumkum aims to lessen and control the ego with its often critical thoughts and negative emotions, it helps promote inner peace and aids in concentration in general, on any task at hand. She takes the pains of pregnancy and delivery, yet the child carries father’s name. This selfless sacrifice is done out of love, and for the sake of family and society. It is for this reason wearing the red dot is considered a sign of ‘Soubhagya’ (good fortune), because sacrificing you ego and performing selfless action out of love is considered a sacred act and a good fortune.
The Kumkum has become a decorative item and is no longer restricted in color or shape. Self-adhesive Bindis (also known as sticker Bindis) are not very beneficial n doesn't serve the sole purpose in fact sticker Bindis increases the ego, negative emotions, flow the vital energy out of the body, increases insecurity in a relationship and bride does not maintain the proper balance between husband's home n her parental home.
The area between the eyebrows, the sixth chakra known as the ‘Ajna’ meaning ‘Command’, is the seat of concealed wisdom. It is the centre point wherein all experience is gathered in total concentration. According to the tantric cult, when during meditation the latent energy (‘Kundalini’) rises from the base of the spine towards the head, this ‘Ajna’ is the probable outlet for this potent energy. The red ‘Kumkum’ between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself — symbolizing auspiciousness and good fortune.
Kumkum may be made from synthetic pigment and there are toxicity concerns with this, especially because Kumkum is repeatedly applied directly to the skin. Kumkum is said to be made from turmeric by treating with alkali. It is certain that no saffron is sold for use as kumkum. Saffron is extremely costly. Also it gives an orangey-yellow dye, not the bright red of commercial kumkum.
Saffron for kumkum is made from the flower Crocus sativus, in the family Iridaceae. The plant has many names in Sanskrit: Ghusruna, Rakta, Kashmira, Balhika, Kesara, Kashmiraja, Kumkum, Agneeshekhara, Asrugvara, Shatha, Shonita, Pitaka, or Rudhira. The saffron contains a dye consisting of 8 to 13.4% of the volatile oils crocin and picrococin.
Kumkum is also widely used for worshiping the Hindu Gods & Goddesses. They will be pleased by this divine powder. Kumkum powder is thrown (along with other mixtures) into the air during Holi (the Festival of Colours), a popular Hindu spring festival.
In India, Saivites- Followers of Siva usually apply three white horizontal lines with a dot of Kumkum at the center.
Vaisnavas- Followers of Vishnu make use of "white clay to apply two vertical lines joined at the base and intersected by a bright red streak." Many times the white clay is applied in a U-shape.
Swaminarayana- Followers of the Swaminarayana apply Kumkum at the center of the forehead and in between a U-shaped Tilak. The Tilak is normally yellow and made from sandalwood.
There are different regional variations of the Kumkum /Bindi. In southern India a smaller red Bindi is worn with a white Tilak on top. In Rajasthan the Bindi is worn longer and with a teardrop shape. In Maharastra a large crescent shape Bindi is worn with a smaller black dot underneath. In Bengal a large round red Bindi is worn.
Application of Kumkum /Sindoor is essentially a Hindu tradition. In the 19th century, Sufi leader Sharafuddin Maneri encouraged Muslim women to apply Sindoor in Bangladesh.
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Ashwiñšujåý Śiñgh ~
