what's it all mean

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

I believe that those stripes (worn by a shaivite) represent transcending the 3

gunas - tamas,raja & sattva.

[Guest guest]

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).