Applying Vaiṣṇava Tilaka
Vaiṣṇava tilaka reminds us that the body belongs to the Lord and should be engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
This guide is offered as a practical devotional aid for personal sādhana. It does not replace the guidance of guru, sādhus, śāstra, local ISKCON authorities, temple pūjārīs, or senior Vaiṣṇavas. For formal Deity worship and temple service, please follow your local authorized standards.
This page presents a traditional Vaiṣṇava practice as a learning aid, not as a rigid rule for every visitor. Learn the form and procedure from experienced Vaiṣṇavas.
Preparing and applying tilaka
- Perform ācamana and sit in a clean place.
- Pour a little clean water into the left palm. Hold a piece of gopī-candana in the right hand and gently rub it in the water until a smooth paste forms.
- Touch the paste with the tip of the right ring finger. Apply the forehead tilaka from below upward, forming two straight, thin, parallel lines like a narrow elongated U.
- Apply the mark on the nose from the bridge downward. It should join the forehead lines without a gap and extend roughly three quarters of the length of the nose, without reaching the tip.
- Use a mirror while learning so the mark is neat and respectful.
- Apply tilaka to the other eleven places, remembering the corresponding name of the Lord at each place.
Twelve places and mantras
- Foreheadoṁ keśavāya namaḥ
- Belly, above the naveloṁ nārāyaṇāya namaḥ
- Chestoṁ mādhavāya namaḥ
- Throatoṁ govindāya namaḥ
- Right side of the bellyoṁ viṣṇave namaḥ
- Right armoṁ madhusūdanāya namaḥ
- Right shoulderoṁ trivikramāya namaḥ
- Left side of the bellyoṁ vāmanāya namaḥ
- Left armoṁ śrīdharāya namaḥ
- Left shoulderoṁ hṛṣīkeśāya namaḥ
- Upper backoṁ padmanābhāya namaḥ
- Lower backoṁ dāmodarāya namaḥ
Śikhā: Tilaka is not drawn on the śikhā. After washing the right hand, sprinkle the remaining water on the śikhā while chanting oṁ vāsudevāya namaḥ.