Prabhupada Tells a Story About Wearing Vaisnava Tilaka


There was once a factory in India where all the
workers were Hindus and mostly Vaisnavas. The
Vaisnavas had freedom, therefore, to wear their
Vaisnava tilaka to work, and they also displayed other
Vaisnava paraphernalia. After some time, however, the
factory went to new management and the new proprietor
was a Muslim.

On taking over the business, the Muslim owner
declared that he would no longer allow the workers to
come to work wearing Vaisnava tilaka. Most of the
workers obeyed, and on the given date announced by the
owner, they appeared at the factory without their
tilaka. One employee, however, thought that he would
take his chances and depend on Krsna, so he went to
work wearing very clear, white Vaisnava tilaka. After
seeing all the workers assembled, the new Muslim
proprietor said, "This one devotee who has worn
Vaisnava tilaka is very courageous. He may be
permitted to continue wearing the tilaka to work, but
all others are forbidden to wear it any more."


In this way, Prabhupada encouraged the devotees to not
unnecessarily abandon the markings of a Vaisnava.
Where situations forbid it, Prabhupada said that it
was not absolutely necessary to wear tilaka, although
a devotee should at least put water tilaka on his body
in the morning and consecrate his body with the names
of Visnu.

But if the paraphernalia is permitted, then a devotee
should not unnecessarily do away with the dress or
beads of a Vaisnava.

Satsvarupa dasa Goswami - This story has obvious
modern-day application. In 1966 Srila Prabhupada was
pleased when Rupanuga and Satsvarupa persisted in
wearing Vaisnava tilaka to their jobs with the New
York City Department of Welfare. Bhaktivinoda Thakura
also desired that one day the high court judges may
wear Vaisnava tilaka, and this would be a symbol of
the successful influence of Krsna consciousness in the
world.


Even in job situations where wearing tilaka is not
permissible, a devotee should try in different ways to
remember Krsna while at work. The story told by
Prabhupada about the man who insisted on wearing
tilaka to his job may remain an inspiration to all
devotees who go to places of employment controlled by
the karmis. Somehow or other, we must remain devotees.


- From the Prabhupada Nectar by HH Satsvarupa dasa
Goswami Maharaj




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