What is the benefit of applying kumkum ?

H.H. Sambhajirao Bhide Guruji went to Mantralaya (the administrative headquarters of the Government of Maharashtra) on 2nd November and met CM Eknath Shinde. While He was leaving Mantralaya, a female journalist asked Him about the meeting. When He noticed the journalist without a ‘bindi’, He said, “Every woman is like Bharat Mata, and Bharat Mata is not a widow. First, apply Kumkum on your forehead, and then I will speak to you.”
Later in the evening, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) issued a notice to H.H. Sambhajirao Bhide Guruji. As the word spread on social media, the so-called liberals from different sections of society criticised H.H. Sambhajirao Bhide Guruji for His remarks. Here, we must understand the science behind applying Kumkum on the forehead, as advised in Hindu Dharma, before jumping to a conclusion.This article is for devout Hindus to understand the spiritual science underlying various customs as advised in Hindu Dharma so that they do not fall prey to the false narrative put forth by the so-called liberals and rationalists.

1. Importance of kumkum

Kumkum is a form of Shakti. Applying kumkum on the forehead is a symbol of Sanatan Hindu culture and also of sacredness and auspiciousness. In some regions women apply kumkum in the centre parting of their hair in addition to the forehead. Applying kumkum in the parting is also a symbol of the marital status of the woman.

2. Benefits of applying kumkum

A. The blood supply to the face muscles is facilitated : While applying kumkum, the points on the mid-brow region and Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.

B. After applying kumkum, the ability to attract the Shakti Principle is generated in the woman :

• The ability of the kumkum to attract the saviour and destroyer Shakti Principle is the highest.
• By a woman applying kumkum, the soul-energy (Atmashakti) is awakened in her.
• In this soul-energy, a tremendous ability to attract the saviour or destroyer Devi Principle is generated.
• The vibrations of the saviour Shakti Principle present in the woman are awakened.
• Due to this, the Shakti Principle Pavitrakas in the environment, that is, the subtlest particles of the Shakti Principle are attracted to the woman.
• Due to kumkum, obstacles are created in the entry of the negative energies in the body of the woman through the Adnya-chakra.

3. Effect of fragrance, colour and Shakti of kumkum

Due to the fragrance of kumkum, the subtle excretory air in the woman’s body is disintegrated. Particles of Absolute Fire Element (Tej-tattva) are emitted through the colour pigments present in the kumkum and are gained by the woman. Due to the Shakti frequencies present in the kumkum, the sattvik frequencies present in the environment are absorbed and emitted as per the need.

Through spiritual experience one can understand that through kumkum, a woman gains Tej in the form of white rays due to which the black covering formed on her face reduces.

	Benefit (Percentage)	Effect on the woman
1. Fragrance of kumkum	5	Increase in vital energy, disintegration of excretory air
2. Colour of kumkum	5	Disintegration of black energy due to the Absolute Fire Principle emitted by the colour particles
3. Shakti of kumkum	20	Awakening of the Adnya-chakra due to Shakti frequencies and absorption and emission of the source of sattvik frequencies in the atmosphere as per the need

4. Time and appropriate ritual of applying kumkum

Normally women apply kumkum after the morning ablutions, after bath and after washing the face. For applying kumkum, the ring finger should be used. If wax is applied before the kumkum, it remains there for a longer time.

5. Spiritual reasons for using the ring finger to apply kumkum on oneself

• As the ring finger is associated with the Absolute Water Principle, the frequencies of the Absolute Water Principle are emitted through the ring finger.
• With the help of these frequencies, the Shakti Principle present in kumkum is awakened in a short time.
• This awakened Shakti Principle spreads in the form of a flow in the Adnya-chakra of the woman who wears the kumkum.
  As a result, the raja-guna function of the woman gains strength in the form of Shakti.

6. Effects of applying kumkum on the forehead of a woman

• The kumkum, being sattvik, attracts the Divine Principle. A spiral of this Divine Principle is generated in the kumkum and is activated.
• A flow of Chaitanya is attracted in the kumkum and its spiral is generated and it remains activated. A spiral of Chaitanya is emitted from the kumkum. In the body of the woman wearing the kumkum, Chaitanya frequencies are spread. A sheath of Chaitanya is created around the body of the woman due to which her body and mind are purified.
• The flows of Shakti are attracted in the kumkum. A spiral of destroyer Shakti filled with particles of Dharma Shakti is created in the kumkum and it becomes activated. A spiral of saviour Shakti is generated in the kumkum and it remains activated. Flows of Shakti are emitted by the kumkum. The Shakti particles are spread in the body of the woman who applies the kumkum. These particles are also emitted in the environment. A protective sheath of Shakti is generated around the body of the woman who wears kumkum. As a result the black energy in the body of the woman is removed.

7. Application of kumkum to others

While applying kumkum to others, be it a man or a woman, the middle finger should be used. By using the middle finger which has a maximum of the Absolute Fire Principle, one’s own body is protected.

Subtle effects of application of kumkum by one woman to another :

• While application of kumkum by one woman to another with the middle finger, Divine Shakti is attracted in the kumkum.
• A spiral of this Shakti is generated in the kumkum and these spirals spread through the body of the woman to whom the kumkum has been applied.
• Due to the touch of kumkum, Chaitanya flows in the body of the woman applying the kumkum.

8. Effects of kumkum on women suffering from distress by negative energies

Due to the sattvikta of kumkum, the women affected by negative energies may experience distress such as continuous itching at the place where kumkum is applied, developing a rash, feeling like ‘not to apply kumkum’, the kumkum getting wiped out automatically etc. Due to kumkum, the women are able to absorb Chaitanya. Hence, to prevent the woman from applying kumkum, the negative energies may distress women.

9. Effects of applying kumkum or sindur in the hair parting by married women

A. It being possible to keep the flame of warrior radiance constantly awakened in husband : In earlier times by looking at the kumkum or sindur in the parting of married women, the warrior attitude and enthusiasm of men used to increase. For this reason, it is appropriate from the viewpoint of both psychology and Spirituality.

B. Protection from negative energies : The head of women is more soft and sensitive than men. Hence, in order to protect this part of the body from the negative energies, the sindur is filled in the hair parting.

10. Spiritual science underlying the use of kumkum being more appropriate than sindur

Due to the destroyer Principle in kumkum, the subtle body of the woman is protected from negative energies. The proportion of destroyer Principle is less in sindur than in the kumkum. This is the reason why the use of kumkum is more appropriate and beneficial than the sindur.

11. Reason for application of kumkum by widows being unauthorised by Scriptures

A. Obstacle in the onward journey of the dead husband’s subtle body : After the death of husband, while applying kumkum the woman remembers her husband because of which the subtle body of the husband is again compelled to come to the Earth.

B. Sacrifice of the Great Illusion (Maya) and creation of sense of detachment in self : After the death of husband, it is necessary to awaken a sense of detachment in the woman. Hence she has to sacrifice the ornaments that are suggestive of state of a married woman. Hence, this conduct assists a widow to proceed on the path of God realisation.

Due to lack of religious education and the increasing influence of Western culture, some widows say, ‘So what if the husband is dead?’ and indulge in irreligious conducts by doing inappropriate actions like applying kumkum on the forehead and wearing a mangalasutra. By doing so, they also cause spiritual harm to the husband. In order to prevent the harm, they should pay attention to observing righteous conducts in daily life seriously.