Guest guest Posted September 7, 2000 Report Share Posted September 7, 2000 what is the meaning of the patterns of markings that the different gurus place on their faces and bodies? i noticed that the photos of BNS Iyengar showed him using a pattern much like that use by Krishnamacharya, while KPJ uses the three lateral stripes. does a particular pattern have a specific meaning or is it a kind of personal marking? i think someone posted a long time ago that the markings were made from ashes. anybody know more? <br>just curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2000 Report Share Posted September 7, 2000 The three horizontal stripes worn on the forehead indicate that one worships the Hindu god Shiva.<br>The verticle stripes are for followers of Vishnu.<br>The stripes can be done with ash or often with the Indian equivalent of chalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2000 Report Share Posted September 7, 2000 I believe that those stripes (worn by a shaivite) represent transcending the 3 gunas - tamas,raja & sattva. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2000 Report Share Posted September 7, 2000 I should also add that the stripes are made from bhasma. I believe bhasma is usually made from ash which comes from a yajna(sacrificial fire to which various offerings are made). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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