The sikha is a sign of being a disciple.

[Guest guest]

> Did Srila Prabhupada ever say or indicate this or is there any such

> statement or indication in sastra?

 

....but every one of my disciples must have the flag & marks of tilak on

forehead. This is essential.

Letter to: Damodara -- Calcutta 13 October, 1967

 

....in all circumstances a devotee cannot avoid tilak, flag on head, & beads

on neck. These are essential features of a Vaisnava.

Letter to: Brahmananda -- Calcutta 14 October, 1967

 

I never objected to any of my students dressing like nice American

gentleman, clean shaved; those who are my disciples must have flag, tilak &

beads on neck without fail.

Letter to: Kirtanananda -- Calcutta 16 October, 1967

 

When our devotees go outside I have no objection if he dresses as nice

American or Canadian gentleman. Up to date gentlemen are all clean shaved so

if we do not keep long hair & dress ourselves nicely with tilaka, flag &

beads on the neck, apart from our devotional service, then certainly we

shall be distinct from the Hippies. I think we should follow this principle

rigidly & there is no question of giving up robes in the temple.

Letter to: Pradyumna -- Calcutta 17 October, 1967

 

Since you have returned to N.Y. you have falsely dictated that I do not want

the robes or flags. Why are you disturbing the whole situation in my

absence. I never ordered you to speak like that. They must continue to have

robes & tilak & flags & they must distinguish themselves from the hippies. I

never objected to any of my students dressing like nice American gentleman,

clean shaved; but those who are my disciples must have flag, tilak & beads

on the neck without fail.

Letter to: Kirtanananda -- Navadvipa 28 October, 1967

 

Since you have returned to N.Y. you have falsely dictated that I do not want

the robes or flags. Why are you disturbing the whole situation in my

absence. I never ordered you to speak like that. They must continue to have

robes & tilak & flags & they must distinguish themselves from the hippies. I

never objected to any of my students dressing like nice American gentleman,

clean shaved; but those who are my disciples must have flag, tilak & beads

on the neck without fail.

Letter to: Kirtanananda -- Navadvipa 28 October, 1967

 

Householders may wear dhotis in the Temple, or as they like, but not of the

saffron color. They may wear white, yellow, or whatever. Outside the Temple

they may wear American gentleman's dress, with Tilaka, flag, and beads.

Letter to: Balai -- San Francisco 12 March, 1968

 

The Vaisnavas, with tilaka, with kunti, with chanting beads, as soon as you

see... And practically you know. As soon as they see these Hare Krsna

movement people, they also chant, "Hare Krsna," giving a chance to the

others. The dress is also required. You should be always equipped with

tilaka, kunti, and sikha, sutra. Then, as soon as a common man sees, "Oh,

here is a Hare Krsna man. Hare Krsna," he'll chant. Automatically you give a

chance to chant Hare Krsna.

So this is required. The foolish rascals, they say that "What is the

necessity of this, that?" No. This is necessity. You must always remain

dressed like a Vaisnava. That is necessity.

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.28.19 -- Nairobi, October 29, 1975

 

Vaisnava must have dvadasa-tilaka, sikha, sutra, kunti, and there are many

things, description.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 8.128 -- Bhubanesvara, January 24, 1977

 

....we must have always our tilak and sikha and there is no compromise for

this purpose.

Letter to: Brahmananda -- Seattle 6 October, 1968

 

....our real dress is the tilaka and sikha.

Letter to: Raktak -- London, 25 September, 1969

 

....we should always keep sikha and teelock.

Letter to: Jagadisa -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 July, 1973

 

Regarding what is a Vaisnava, Vaisnava means that when others see him, they

will also chant Hare Krsna. So why not give them the chance of seeing by

wearing the beads, tilaka, and sikha?

Letter to: Sudama -- Bombay 10 December, 1973

 

According to sastra anyone who wears tilaka and sikha and kunti over and

above the Vaisnava dress or Vaisnava sannyasi must be accepted especially

while chanting Hare Krishna mantra with bead bags. Kindly convince them and

induce them to allow these Vaisnavas to enter Jagannatha Temple.

Letter to: Syamasundara -- Bombay 8 April, 1974

 

There is no reason why you cannot associate with any of my disciples,

providing that they adhere to our principles. As long as Siddha Svarupa

Maharaja and Tusta Krishna Maharaja act as sannyasis, ie. dress in dhoti,

keep shave headed with sikha, follow strictly the rules and regulations and

preach from my books, I have no objection.

Letter to: Bhakta Ralph -- Nellore 7 January, 1976