Will Krishna accept a devotee without tilak if he is unable to wear?
Two devotees (Name hidden) asked like this. I have replied together:
1. If im not wearing tilak? What will happen? Krishna will get angry on me?
2. Hk anna…dandavat pranam to u …I hope u r well ?? …I have noticed u writing that u r v.well adjusting with the Natural climate provided by krishna …(jai) …this inspired me a lot…not to buy unnecessary costly comforts… I was happy seeing that u avoid A.Cs (u r an ideal) (how do u manage) ….I am sry for going personal..
This was really inspiring and I now follow ur divine thoughts…I am really v.excited to know more abt ur practices !!! ??
One thing that bothers me always is that i am a student…19 yrs old girl and I am doing Chartered Accountancy course…Unfortunately…our classes are being called as PROFESSIONAL and I cant help with its student size ..So people forbid me to apply our long vaishnava tilak ! I mean they feel odd…at times even my sirs do ask me directly…what happened to u…y r u so strange like this..I am okay with their comments…and starings.. (used to eyes and evil comments…like one girl calling me RADHE MAA ?? …). Or suppose I wish to buy mobile…people tend to think wrong abt me that time.. she is applying a tilak and how she is buying a mobile or coming to class, etc….and i am okay with it.. they may call me fake so called devotee or baba or whatever but they show hatred for tilak …! That is holy ….
So my question is…do u personally apply tilak when u go to ur work …ur company …? What kind of dress do u wear( sry ..if u r comfortable with this ) ….during profession ..do u wear tilak and hang bag and hold orange dress around u or professional look ? Plz help me anna..
I am used to their comments …but …will that be my duty to not pet people offend tilak or shud i carry on ?
What after becoming a CA ? Shud i carry on to wear spiritual things in front of clients ? Professional world does not consider it good…wont they misinterpret that I am applying tilak for show off ?
I am confused.. Hk anna ..Thanks a lot
REPLY:
First question. Will Krishna accept a devotee without tilak if he is unable to wear?
No. Krishna will not be angry if you do not wear tilak. Wearing tilak means, we are bringing Krishna’s lotus feet and Tulasi Maharani to our forehead.
(WEAPONS TO BEAT MAYA – TILAKA, TULASI BEADS AND PRASADAM! READ HERE!)
(1) This protects us from many unwanted discussions or calls from unwanted persons.
(2) This also protects us from sinning as we will not dare to commit offences since we have worn tilak.
(3) We will silently preach others about Krishna and devotional practices thru our tilak.
(4) Wearing tilak shows our level of dedication towards Krishna.
(5) We have seen many devotees shave their head in some temples such as Tirumala Tirupati. This means, they sacrifice their beauty for Lord. Sacrificing beauty means, sacrificing our ego. When we sacrifice our ego, we give more room for the thoughts about Lord and involve in devotional practices sincerely without the ego barrier. Ego is the major barrier in devotion. Thus, wearing tilak gradually clears our ego as we do something for Krishna. We impart Krishna Himself on our forehead.
(6) When we wear tilak, we will be noticed by the like minded devotees that increases the number of devotees associating with us.
(7) Wearing tilak makes us unique in a group and they behave with us with dignity and they will not dare to speak mundane matters with us. This protects us from getting bombarded with mundane thoughts from materialistic people.
(8) When we wear tilak, we feel every time that this life is going to end one day and we too will become one and all with the soil.
(Why Krishna wears Tilak with Tulasi on forehead instead of Feet? READ HERE!)
Thus, wearing tilak has many applications. However, such ornaments are required only until we realize ourselves and the Lord. When we go closer to Krishna, ie, when we become very advanced in devotion, you will bother more about athma, not the body.
Therefore, wearing tilak is to make our heart ego-free and accomodate Krishna strongly in it. In case, you do not wear because of any genuine reasons, Krishna will not get angry, as He is Nirguna and merciful.
If you always think of Krishna and see Krishna in everything and everywhere, such things become secondary. Tilaks will enhance our dedication in devotion. That’s all.
Second question: Wearing Tilak in colleges and work spots.
In case wearing tilak is allowed in schools, colleges or work place, you can wear it though others comment. They can just comment for a few days, but, they can not help you when you are in distress. If we change our attitudes for others, we can never follow any practice.
In such unavoidable situations, you may wear tilak using water. I compulsorily wear tilaks whenever I go to temples or sathsanghas. In unavoidable situations, I wear tilak using water.
I go to temples wearing dhoties. But, I wear pant and shirt when I go to my workspot. Because, it is comfortable to travel and we need not take any care for the safety of our clothes. The pant is always intact and hence I wear that. That’s all.
(HOW TO APPLY TILAKA ON OUR BODY (As Per Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradhaya)? READ HERE!)
You can see Krishna’s pictures everywhere in my home office that introduces Krishna to others. I always keep a copy of Bhagavad Gita on my table to be visible to others. When they enquire about it, I discuss with them about Gita and distribute the copies of Gita to them in a subsidized price. Thus, I am able to distribute Srila Prabhupada’s books while doing my service. Thus, I could change many of my customers as devotees.
In case, you are unable to wear tilaks or devotee dress in school or college or work spot, wear them atleast at home and temples.
Nothing wrong in that. In your case, since you are already wearing in college, continue the same. Feel comfortable as you are wearing Krishna Himself. Let others speak to their level. We are fortunate to get Krishna in this birth. They may not know its greatness.
So, wherever you can and are allowed, wear tilak and follow other vaishnava appearances.
Hope you are clear about whether Krishna accept a devotee without tilak if he is unable to wear.
(Types Of Tilak & the System Followed By Different Sampradhayas! READ HERE!)