I always ask a "Why" when anything is said, because it helps me to do stuff better.. And add that to a large amount curiosity and amusement, and that's how I got answers to some really difficult questions, pertaining to the Indian traditions and customs..
1) Why should one apply bindi/tilak/any mark on the forehead?
The three most important Nadi in our bodies ( for the other curious people like myself: a Nadi is a channel of flow of consciousness or the subtle life-force that connects the various energy centres of our bodies) namely Idaa, Pingalaa and Sushumnaa run through the forehead, with the Sushumna in between the eyes, Idaa and Pingalaa on its either sides.
Men and Women had to apply a mark of Vibuti, or Vermillion or Sandal Paste on their foreheads.
If you notice carefully, men either have to apply the Vibhuti pattai or the Thiruman with Sri Churnam. Its application is such that each time its applied, your fingers touch the three Nadis and hence keep them activated. Women are encouraged to apply vermillion in between their eyebrows, because this point directly is connected to the Pitituary Gland. I have never been able to get any scientific verification done, but this is what I have been told.
Besides, Vibhuti, Thiruman have this capability to absorb the water beneath the skin.
And hence, this has been considered auspicious and the absence of it, not-so-auspicious. But primarily its the activation of the Nadis thats been given importance here and the application of the tilak is considered compulsory.
2) Why is it necessary to wear earrings?
We have nerve branches from all the body at the tip of the ears. and earrings are worn to keep these nerves activated. They say that to check if all organs work fine for a new born baby, they generally pull its ear and if the baby cries out loud, it really is healthy.
I've heard some people say that one maintains good health if one wears gold earrings as it translates the energy of the sun into our bodies and the energy of the sun helps us to maintain good health.
3) Why is it necessary to wear bangles?
For the same reason, the activation of Nadis and nerves.
4) Are anklets compulsory too?
Well, the part of the ankle that the anklet holds on to is supposed to be an accupressure point for the stomach. Again, I could never have it verified.
5) People kept Kudumis or Shikhas.. Why aren't we supposed to cut hair?
The men and women were forbidden from cutting hair. Everyone had to maintain their shikha..
I confirmed it with a couple of vaidheekas.. People who keep a full fledged shikha run a lower risk of head injuries, becos the Shikhas act a sponge that prevents sudden shock to the Medulla Oblangata, beneath our brains. Say one falls down, backward, his shikha is likely to hit the floor first than his skull... and FYI, you just have to hit the medulla oblangata a bit too hard, and I'm not sure you'd walk alive again...Spooky? Not meant to be... But the shikhas were kept as a natural, 24*7 helmet.
Besides, men were identified as belonging to a particular school of Study based on the style of the shikha... So Shikha were maintained, as a respect to the Guru Shishya Parampara.
6)What about the Pancha kacha and the 9-Yards saree?... This style of dressing sure is complex...
People did give a great deal of thought to the way of dressing.. It had to cover our bodies and we had to be enormously decent too.. Yes, thats right.. But folks had to tell me some other reason..
Kaccha means the part of cloth that is tucked to the back, in between the legs. The Pancha Kaccha has five folds of cloth in the kaccha and the nine-yards saree, doesn't have a fold.
In case one of us aren't aware.. The kacha style of dressing (where in the saree or the dhoti is worn in the style that ultimately is similar to a pair of pants) has been made compulsory for the married lot because-
#1 To indicate that you are married and you shouldn't even remotely dream of having a crush on the married guy/girl
#2 To conserve the positive sexual energy that drains out via the moolaadhaara.. Now don't ask me why, but looks like another subtle energy source gets wasted via the moolaadhara and the Kacha helps conserve all the reproductive energy.
I don't doubt it but I've never been able to figure out how this somebody arrived at this conclusion.
But logically speaking, a Panchakacha is a lot more comfortable attire for men and so is the nine-yards saree for the women.. Wearing it properly can help you run so fast that even win a running race isn't a big problem when you are in one; however its just a matter of time before you get used to it. How did I arrive at THIS conclusion: live, first-hand accounts of people who are used to the Kacha style of dressing
But again, its our uniform for religious activities, just like its common for a soldier to be in his camaflouge while he's at war.
For the rest, watch out for part-II
gives the feeling of a very well researched article. i like the fact that the writer is able to admit that she has not been able to verify the accuracy of the reasons.
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