Tilaka, °Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå: 44 definitions
Introduction:
Tilaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Hindi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Alternative spellings of this word include Tilak.
Images (photo gallery)
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: NÄåá¹ya-Å›ÄåstraTilaka (तिलक) refers to a type of ornament (Äå²ú³ó²¹°ù²¹á¹‡a) for the foreherad (±ô²¹±ôÄåá¹a) to be worn by females, according to NÄåá¹yaÅ›Äåstra chapter 23.
Tilaka (तिलक) also refers to an ornament for the cheeks (²µ²¹á¹‡á¸²¹ or kapola) to be worn by females. Such ornaments for females should be used in cases of human females and celestial beings (gods and goddesses).
Ä€bharaṇa (‘ornamentsâ€�, eg., tilaka) is a category of ²¹±ô²¹á¹ƒkÄå°ù²¹, or “decorationsâ€�, which in turn is a category of nepathya, or “costumes and make-upâ€�, the perfection of which forms the main concern of the Ä€hÄåryÄåbhinaya, or “extraneous representationâ€�, a critical component for a successful dramatic play.
: archive.org: The mirror of gesture (abhinaya-darpana)Tilaka is one of the ²õ²¹á¹ƒy³Ü³Ù³Ù²¹-³ó²¹²õ³ÙÄå²Ô¾± (Twenty-seven combined Hands).
: archive.org: Natya ShastraTilaka (तिलक).—The tilaka on the forehead should be produced by many artistic touches, and by group of designs above the eyebrows should imitate flowers.
: Shodhganga: Kohala in the Sanskrit textual tradition (ns)1) Tilaka (तिलक) refers to one of the twenty-four ³Õ²¹°ù³Ù²¹²ÔÄå²õ (“movements of the armâ€�), discussed in KallinÄåtha’s commentary on Saá¹…gistaratnÄåkara of ÅšÄårá¹…gadeva (1953: Vol. IV: p.105).—KallinÄåtha says that in spite of ÅšÄårá¹…gadeva not having mentioned these, he will describe the ±¹²¹°ù³Ù²¹²ÔÄå²õ which have been expounded by Kohala. He proceeds to give a quotation of Kohala from the work Saá¹…gÄ«tameru which gives the definitions of twenty four kara-±¹²¹°ù³Ù²¹²ÔÄå²õ. In addition to these ±¹²¹°ù³Ù²¹²ÔÄå²õ another set of seven have also been mentioned. These are [for example, Tilaka] [...] Kohala says that in the case of these ±¹²¹°ù³Ù²¹²ÔÄå²õ, their names themselves make their ±ô²¹°ìá¹£aṇa clear and therefore he has mentioned only their names.
2) Tilaka (तिलक) refers to one of the various “ornaments for the hipâ€�, classified under the heading Ä€hÄårya (“ornamentsâ€�), according to the Saá¹…gÄ«tanÄårÄåyaṇa (Vol. II, p.482) and the Saá¹…gÄ«tÄårṇavacandrika (1995: p.219). Puruá¹£ottama MiÅ›rÄå first makes a general classification of ornaments (Äå³óÄå°ù²â²¹); then he gives the definitions for each along with a few examples. This is followed by the names of ornaments that are to be worn on different body parts. [...] Puruá¹£ottama MiÅ›ra lists out all these ornaments [e.g., Tilaka] and then says that each of these ornaments has been described in detail in the work ‘KohalÄ«yaâ€�. And therefore, he says, he shall not be venturing to do the same for fear that his work will become too unwieldy in size.

Natyashastra (नाटà¥à¤¯à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤°, ²ÔÄåá¹y²¹Å›Äå²õ³Ù°ù²¹) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: VÄåstu-Å›ÄåstraTilaka (तिलक) refers to a type of temple (±è°ùÄå²õÄå»å²¹) classified under the group named MiÅ›raka, according to ³§²¹³¾²¹°ùÄåá¹…g²¹á¹‡a²õÅ«³Ù°ù²¹»å³óÄå°ù²¹ chapter 56. The MiÅ›raka group contains nine out of a sixty-four total ±è°ùÄå²õÄå»å²¹s (temples) classified under four groups in this chapter. The ³§²¹³¾²¹°ùÄåá¹…g²¹á¹‡a²õÅ«³Ù°ù²¹»å³óÄå°ù²¹ is an 11th-century encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the VÄåstuÅ›Äåstra.

Vastushastra (वासà¥à¤¤à¥à¤¶à¤¾à¤¸à¥à¤¤à¥à¤�, vÄåstuÅ›Äåstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
: ISKCON Press: GlossaryTilaka (तिलक).—Sacred clay markings placed on the forehead and other parts of the body to designate one as a follower of Viṣṇu, ¸éÄå³¾²¹, Åšiva, Vedic culture, etc.
: Pure Bhakti: Bhajana-rahasya - 2nd EditionTilaka (तिलक) refers to:—Clay markings worn on the forehead and other parts of the body by Vaiṣṇavas, signifying their devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, or Śrī Viṣṇu, and consecrating the body as the Lord’s temple. (cf. Glossary page from Bhajana-Rahasya).
: Pure Bhakti: Arcana-dipika - 3rd EditionTilaka (तिलक) refers to a “clay markings worn on the forehead and other parts of the body by Vaiṣṇavasâ€� (signifying their devotion to ÅšrÄ« kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu and consecrating their body as the Lord’s temple), according to the Arcana-dÄ«pikÄå (manual on deity worship).—Accordingly, while explaining the traditional procedure for applying tilaka:—[...] Use this water [from the ±è²¹Ã±³¦²¹±èÄå³Ù°ù²¹] and ²µ´Ç±èÄ«-³¦²¹²Ô»å²¹²Ô²¹ to form a paste in the left hand, or [if candana is not available], use ³Ù³Ü±ô²¹²õÄ« soil taken from the base of the plant. Then, with the twelve mantras beginning with oá¹� keÅ›avÄåya namaá¸�, apply tilaka to the twelve different parts of the body, beginning with the forehead, by drawing the Å«°ù»å³ó±¹²¹-±è³ÜṇḰù²¹ (two vertical lines) representing the temple of ÅšrÄ« hari. Starting from the centre of the eyebrows, form two vertical lines on the forehead that reach up to the beginning of the hairline.
The mantra to invoke remembrance of the twelve names of the Lord [is called] »å±¹Äå»å²¹Å›²¹-²ÔÄå³¾²¹-²õ³¾²¹°ù²¹á¹‡a-³¾²¹²Ô³Ù°ù²¹.
: Pure Bhakti: Brhad BhagavatamrtamTilaka (तिलक) refers to:—Clay markings applied to the forehead and other parts of the body by Vaiṣṇavas, signifying their devotion to ÅšrÄ« Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu and consecrating the body as the Lord’s temple. (cf. Glossary page from ÅšrÄ« Bá¹›had-bhÄågavatÄåmá¹›ta).

Vaishnava (वैषà¥à¤£à¤µ, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnuâ€�).
Chandas (prosody, study of Sanskrit metres)
: Shodhganga: a concise history of Sanskrit Chanda literature°Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå (तिलकà¤�) refers to one of the 130 ±¹²¹°ùṇa±¹á¹›t³Ù²¹²õ (syllabo-quantitative verse) dealt with in the second chapter of the ³Õá¹›t³Ù²¹³¾³Ü°ì³ÙÄå±¹²¹±ôÄ«, ascribed to ¶Ù³Ü°ù²µÄå»å²¹³Ù³Ù²¹ (19th century), author of eight Sanskrit work and patronised by Hindupati: an ancient king of the Bundela tribe (presently Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh). A Varṇavá¹›tta (e.g., ³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå) refers to a type of classical Sanskrit metre depending on syllable count where the light-heavy patterns are fixed.
: Journal of the University of Bombay Volume V: Apabhramsa metres (2)Tilaka (तिलक) is the name of a ³¦²¹³Ù³Üá¹£p²¹»å¾± metre (as popularly employed by the Apabhraṃśa bards), as discussed in books such as the ChandonuÅ›Äåsana, Kavidarpaṇa, Vá¹›ttajÄåtisamuccaya and ³§±¹²¹²â²¹³¾²ú³óÅ«chandas.—Tilaka has 17 ³¾Äå³Ù°ùÄå²õ in each of its four lines, divided into the groups of 4, 5, [ISI] and [SS] ³¾Äå³Ù°ùÄå²õ.

Chandas (छनà¥à¤¦à¤¸à¥) refers to Sanskrit prosody and represents one of the six Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines belonging to the study of the Vedas). The science of prosody (chandas-shastra) focusses on the study of the poetic meters such as the commonly known twenty-six metres mentioned by Pingalas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationTilaka (तिलक) refers to the “small circular mark on the foreheadâ€�, according to the ÅšivapurÄåṇa 1.18. Accordingly, “[...] the Tripuṇá¸raka (the three parallel lines of ash marks over the forehead) is the essence of Trinity: BrahmÄå, Viṣṇu and Rudra. Similarly MaheÅ›vara has retained the esence of everything in the form of Tilaka (the small circular mark) on the foreheadâ€�.
: JatLand: List of Mahabharata people and placesTilaka (तिलक) is a name mentioned in the ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ (cf. ) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. Note: The ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ (mentioning Tilaka) is a Sanskrit epic poem consisting of 100,000 Å›±ô´Ç°ì²¹²õ (metrical verses) and is over 2000 years old.

The Purana (पà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤�, purÄåṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaTilaka (तिलक) refers to “non-elevated moleâ€� and is one of the various diseases mentioned in the 15th-century YogasÄårasaá¹…graha (Yogasara-saá¹…graha) by VÄåsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The YogasÄårasaṃgraha [mentioning tilaka] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (²ú³ó²¹¾±á¹£aÂá²â²¹-°ì²¹±ô±è²¹²ÔÄå) which is a branch of pharmacology (»å°ù²¹±¹²â²¹²µ³Üṇa).

Ä€yurveda (आयà¥à¤°à¥à¤µà¥‡à¤¦, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ä€yurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
: Google Books: Studies in the History of the Exact Sciences (Astronomy)Tilaka (तिलक) refers to a “forehead markâ€� (worn by BrÄåhmaṇas), according to Hemavijaya Gaṇin’s KathÄåratnÄåkara (A.D. 1600).—Accordingly, “The BrÄåhmaṇa, who is especially well-versed in the whole range of astral science, wore a forehead mark made of saffron and rice-grains [i.e., ±¹¾±²Ô¾±°ù³¾¾±³Ù²¹-°ì³Üá¹…k³Ü³¾²¹-³Ù²¹á¹‡á¸³Ü±ô²¹-³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì²¹]—{The round vessel is made of ten palas of copper. In the ²µ³ó²¹á¹i°ìÄå [bowl] the height should be made of six ²¹á¹…g³Ü±ô²¹²õ. The diameter there should be made to the measure of twelve ²¹á¹…g³Ü±ô²¹²õ. The good cherish a water clock that holds sixty palas of water}—dropped the bowl, made fully according to the aforementioned prescriptions, in a basin filled with clean water at the time of the setting of the divine sunâ€�.

Jyotisha (जà¥à¤¯à¥‹à¤¤à¤¿à¤�, Âá²â´Ç³Ù¾±á¹£a or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomyâ€� or “Vedic astrologyâ€� and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram°Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå (तिलकà¤�) is the name of the Creeper (±ô²¹³ÙÄå) associated with Candra, one the eight Sacred Seats (±èīṻ·²¹), according to the Yogakhaṇá¸a (chapter 14) of the ManthÄånabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess KubjikÄå.

Shakta (शाकà¥à¤�, Å›Äåkta) or Shaktism (Å›Äåktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric TraditionsTilaka (तिलक) refers to a “forehead markâ€�, according to the GuhyasÅ«tra chapter 9.—Accordingly, “[...] [The Lord spoke]:—Wearing half the dress of a woman and half [that of] a man, on one half, he should place [feminine] tresses, on one half, he should wear matted locks. On one half, there should be a forehead mark (tilaka-ardhaâ€�³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ìÄårdhena); on one half a [forehead] eye. A ring [should be] in one ear; a [pendant] ear-ornament in one ear. [...]â€�.
: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra TantraTilaka (तिलक) refers to the “forehead markâ€� (of white ash), according to the Netratantra of Ká¹£emarÄåja: a Åšaiva text from the 9th century in which Åšiva (Bhairava) teaches PÄårvatÄ« topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 19.88-89ab, while describing the ritual that protect the king and his kingdom]—“One should always perform [the recitation of the mantra] for the sake of peace in obligatory rites, special rites, and for fulfillment of special wishes. [The Mantrin should always] apply the forehead mark (tilaka) of white ash [infused] with seven recitations [of the Amá¹›teÅ›a] mantra on [the king’s] washed face. [This] removes the pollution caused by the mothersâ€�.

Shaiva (शै�, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Kavya (poetry)
: Brill: Åšaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)Tilaka (तिलक) refers to a “vermillionâ€� (used for making tilaka-dots), according to BÄåṇa’s KÄådambarÄ« (p. 225-226).—Accordingly, while describing the shire of the Goddess Caṇá¸ikÄå, “[Then follows the image of the Goddess Caṇá¸ikÄå, which matches the conception of KÄålarÄåtri in the passage from the ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹:] [...] she bore the coquettish apparel of a woman going out to meet MahÄåkÄåla at night, with a vine-like body furnished with a raiment reddened with saffron-dye, with a face with red eyes, whose brows were furrowed into a frown, whose lip was crimsoned with betel that was blood, whose cheeks were reddened by the light shed from ear-ornaments of pomegranate flowers, with a forehead on which there was a tilaka dot of vermillion (²õ¾±²Ô»åÅ«°ù²¹-³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì²¹-²ú¾±²Ô»å³Ü) made by a Åšabara beauty, covered by a magnificent gold turban. She was worshipped by goats... mice... antelope and black serpents... She was praised on all sides by flocks of old crows; [...]â€�.

Kavya (कावà¥à¤�, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetryâ€� and natya, or ‘dramatic poetryâ€�.
Pancaratra (worship of NÄårÄåyaṇa)
Source: Wisdom Library: Pancaratra (Samhita list)Tilaka (तिलक) is the name of an ancient PÄåñcarÄåtra SaṃhitÄå mentioned in the °²¹±è¾±Ã±Âá²¹±ô²¹²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå: a PÄåñcarÄåtra work consisting of 1550 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as worship in a temple, choosing an Ä€cÄårya, architecture, town-planning and iconography.—For the list of works, see chapter 1, verses 14b-27. The list [including Tilaka-saṃhitÄå] was said to have comprised â€�108â€� titles, these, different ²õ²¹á¹ƒh¾±³ÙÄå²õ named after different manifestations of the Lord or different teachers. They are all said to be authoritative as the ultimate promulgator of all these is the same NÄårÄåyaṇa.

Pancaratra (पाञà¥à¤šà¤°à¤¾à¤¤à¥à¤°, pÄåñcarÄåtra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismTilaka (तिलक) is the name of the caitya-tree under which the parents of Kunthu are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to both the ÅšvetÄåmbara and Digambara tradition. The term caitya refers to “sacred shrineâ€�, an important place of pelgrimage and meditation in Jainism. Sculptures with such caitya-trees generally shows a male and a female couple seated under a tree with the female having a child on her lap. Usually there is a seated Jina figure on top of the tree.
Kunthu is the seventeenth of twenty-four ³ÙÄ«°ù³Ù³ó²¹á¹…k²¹°ù²¹²õ: enlightened beings who, having conquered ²õ²¹á¹ƒsÄå°ù²¹ (cycle of birth and death), leave a path behind for others to follow. His father is SÅ«ra according to ÅšvetÄåmbara or SÅ«ryasena according to Digambara and his mother is ÅšrÄ«, according to the Ä€cÄåradinakara (14th century work on Jain conduct written by VardhamÄåna SÅ«ri).
: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)Tilaka (तिलक) refers to a kind of tree (±¹á¹›ká¹£a) commonly found in the forests (±¹²¹á¹‡a) of ancient India, mentioned in the 1st century UvavÄåiya-sutta (sanksrit: AupapÄåtika-sÅ«tra). Forests have been a significant part of the Indian economy since ancient days. They have been considered essential for economic development in as much as, besides bestowing many geographical advantages, they provide basic materials for building, furniture and various industries. The most important forest products are wood and timber which have been used by the mankind to fulfil his various needs—domestic, agricultural and industrial.
Different kinds of trees (e.g., the Tilaka tree) provided firewood and timber. The latter was used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs. Vaṇa-kamma was an occupation dealing in wood and in various otherforest products. Iá¹…gÄåla-kamma was another occupation which was concerned with preparing charcoal from firewood.
: archive.org: Een Kritische Studie Van ³§±¹²¹²â²¹³¾²ú³óÅ«deva’s PaümacariuTilaka (तिलक) participated in the war between ¸éÄå³¾²¹ and RÄå±¹²¹á¹‡a, on the side of the latter, as mentioned in ³§±¹²¹²â²¹³¾²ú³óÅ«deva’s Paumacariu (Padmacarita, Paumacariya or ¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡apurÄåṇa) chapter 57ff. ³§±¹²¹²â²¹³¾²ú³óÅ« or ³§±¹²¹²â²¹³¾²ú³óÅ«deva (8th or 9th century) was a Jain householder who probably lived in Karnataka. His work recounts the popular ¸éÄå³¾²¹ story as known from the older work ¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡a (written by ³ÕÄå±ô³¾Ä«°ì¾±). Various chapters [mentioning Tilaka] are dedicated to the humongous battle whose armies (known as ²¹°ìá¹£a³Ü³ó¾±á¹‡Ä«s) consisted of millions of soldiers, horses and elephants, etc.
: academia.edu: Tessitori Collection ITilaka (तिलक) or TilakasÅ«ri is the name of a teacher mentioned in the µþá¹›h²¹»å²µ²¹³¦³¦³ó²¹-²µ³Ü°ù±¹Äå±¹²¹±ôÄ« (dealing with Jain lineages history) (in Sanskrit/Prakrit/Gujarati), which is included in the collection of manuscripts at the ‘Vincenzo Joppiâ€� library, collected by Luigi Pio Tessitori during his visit to Rajasthan between 1914 and 1919.—The information provided by the Bá¹›hadgacchagurvÄåvalÄ« for the teachers [e.g., Tilaka-sÅ«ri] includes their literary achievements, reference to installation of images, and, the case arising, their feats in debates with non-Jains. [...]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Biology (plants and animals)
: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsTilaka [ತಿಳಕ] in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f. from the Verbenaceae (Verbena) family having the following synonyms: Clerodendrum phlomidis var. rubrum. For the possible medicinal usage of tilaka, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Tilaka in India is the name of a plant defined with Cinnamomum iners in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Cinnamomum iners Wall. (among others).
2) Tilaka is also identified with Clerodendrum phlomidis It has the synonym Volkameria multiflora Burm.f. (etc.).
3) Tilaka is also identified with Vitex altissima It has the synonym Vitex appendiculata Rottler ex C.B. Clarke (etc.).
4) Tilaka in Sanskrit is also identified with Symplocos racemosa It has the synonym Dicalix propinqus (Hance) Migo (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Supplementum Plantarum Systematis Vegetabilium Editionis Decimae Tertiae (1782)
· Flora Indica (1832)
· Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis (1906)
· Journal of Botany, British and Foreign (1868)
· Phytologia (1971)
· Glimpses of Cytogenetics in India (1992)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Tilaka, for example diet and recipes, side effects, pregnancy safety, health benefits, chemical composition, extract dosage, have a look at these references.

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryTilaka, (tila+ka, from its resemblance to a sesame seed) 1. a spot, stain, mole, freckle M. I, 88; S. I, 170; VvA. 253; DhA. IV, 172 (°á¹� vÄå kÄålakaá¹� vÄå adisvÄå).â€�2. a kind of tree Vv 67 (=bandhu-jÄ«vaka-puppha-sadisa-pupphÄå ekÄå rukkha-jÄåti). (Page 304)

Pali is the language of the Tipiá¹aka, which is the sacred canon of TheravÄåda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryá¹iḷa°ì²¹ (टिळक).—m (tilaka S) The spot or line made with colored earths or unguents upon the forehead. It is considered either as an ornament or as a sectarial distinction. 2 fig. A term for any leading or eminent member of a family or community viewed as the grace or ornament of it. Ex. Å›iá¹£ya á¹iḷakÄå sÄåá¹…gÄ«jati || tÄ« ÄåikÄå yÄ“kÄågra tÅ« ||.
--- OR ---
á¹iḷakÄå (टिळकà¤�).—m (á¹iḷa°ì²¹) A drop (of oil, ghee, milk, water); a glossy globule like a á¹iḷa°ì²¹.
--- OR ---
tilaka (तिलक).—m (S) A mark made with colored earths or unguents upon the forehead; either as an ornament or as a sectarial distinction.
: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishá¹iḷa°ì²¹ (टिळक).â€�m The spot or line made with coloured earths or unguents upon the forehead. A term for any leading or eminent member of a family or com- munity.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryTilaka (तिलक).—[til-kvun, tila ivÄårthe svalpe vÄå kan vÄå]
1) A species of tree with beautiful flowers; RÄåm.2.94.9; आकà¥à¤°à¤¾à¤¨à¥à¤¤à¤� तिलककà¥à¤°à¤¿à¤¯à¤¾à¤ªà¤¿ तिलकैरà¥à¤²à¥€à¤¨à¤¦à¥à¤µà¤¿à¤°à¥‡à¤«à¤¾à¤žà¥à¤œà¤¨à¥ˆà¤� (ÄåkrÄåntÄå tilakakriyÄåpi tilakairlÄ«nadvirephÄåñjanaiá¸�) M.3,5; à¤� खलà¥� शोà¤à¤¯à¤¤à¤¿ सà¥à¤� वनसà¥à¤¥à¤²à¥€à¤� à¤� तिलकसà¥à¤¤à¤¿à¤²à¤•à¤� पà¥à¤°à¤®à¤¦à¤¾à¤®à¤¿à¤� (na khalu Å›obhayati sma vanasthalÄ«á¹� na tilakas³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì²¹á¸� pramadÄåmiva) R.9.41. KÄålidÄåsa describes the beauty of this tree as being akin to that of the saffron-mark on the forehead of a woman. The name suggests a relation to tila. the sesame plant, Sesamum indicum Linn. Now this plant has got flowers that have got a very pretty appearance. It is a shrub and not a tree. It grows four to five feet in height. Its flower has five petals. The lower petal is the longest. In wild variety there is a promiment spot on the longest petal which is highly suggestive of the saffron-mark on the forehead of a woman.
2) A freckle or natural mark under the skin.
3) The sesamum tree.
-°ì²¹á¸�, -kam 1 A mark made with sandalwood or unguents &c.; मà¥à¤–े मधà¥à¤¶à¥à¤°à¥€- सà¥à¤¤à¤¿à¤²à¤•à¤� पà¥à¤°à¤•ाशà¥à¤¯ (mukhe madhuÅ›rÄ«- stilakaá¹� prakÄåÅ›ya) KumÄårasambhava 3.3; कसà¥à¤¤à¥‚रिकातिलकमालà¤� विधाà¤� सायमà¥� (kastÅ«rikÄåtilakamÄåli vidhÄåya sÄåyam) Bv.2.4;1.121.
2) The ornament of anything (used at the end of comp. in the sense of 'best', 'chief' or 'distinguished'); कà¥à¤²Â� (°ì³Ü±ô²¹Â°); जीवलोक° (ÂáÄ«±¹²¹±ô´Ç°ì²¹Â°) MÄålatÄ«mÄådhava (Bombay) 9.21; यसà¥à¤¯ à¤� विपदà¤� विषादः संपदà¤� हरà¥à¤·à¥� रणà¥� à¤� à¤à¥€à¤°à¥à¤¤à¥à¤µà¤®à¥� à¥� तं à¤à¥à¤µà¤¨à¤¤à¥à¤°à¤¯à¤¤à¤¿à¤²à¤•à¤� जनयतà¤� जननी सà¥à¤¤à¤‚ विरलमॠ(yasya na vipadi viá¹£Äådaá¸� saṃpadi hará¹£o raṇe na bhÄ«rutvam | taá¹� bhuvanatrayatilakaá¹� janayati jananÄ« sutaá¹� viralam) || Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.15.
3) The burden of a song (dhruvaka).
-°ìÄå A kind of necklace.
-kam 1 The bladder.
2) The right lung.
3) A kind of salt.
4) A kind of disease, the appearance of dark spots on the skin without any inflammation.
5) Alliteration.
Derivable forms: ³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì²¹á¸� (तिलकà¤�).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryTilaka (तिलक).—mfn.
(-°ì²¹á¸�-°ìÄå-°ì²¹á¹�) 1. Spotted, freckled, a person having moles or spots. 2. Chief, principal. mn.
(-°ì²¹á¸�-°ì²¹á¹�) A mark or marks made with coloured earths or unguents upon the forehead, and between the eye-brows, either as an ornament or a sectarial distinction. m.
(-°ì²¹á¸�) 1. A freckle, a natural mark on the person. 2. A kind of tree, commonly Tila. 3. A sort of horse. 4. A title, especially in composition, implying pre-eminence, as raghuvaṃśa³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì²¹á¸� the Tilaka of the race of Raghu, a name of Rama. n.
(-°ì²¹á¹�) 1. The bladder. 2. Black Sochal salt, a factitious salt, containing sulphur and iron, &c. 3. A disease, the appearance of dark spots on the skin, unattended with inflammation. f.
(-°ìÄå) A kind of necklace. E. tila sesamum, &c. kan added, or til to go or be unctuous, and kvun aff.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryTilaka (तिलक).—[tila + ka], m. (and n.). 1. The name of a tree, [¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡a] 2, 91, 48. 2. A freckle, a mole, [KathÄåsaritsÄågara, (ed. Brockhaus.)] 5, 32. 3. A mark made on the forehead and between the eyebrows, either as an ornament or as a sectarial distinction, [¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡a] 3, 22, 8. 4. Ornament, [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä�] 1, 47.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryTilaka (तिलक).—[masculine] [Name] of a tree; freckle, mole, spot under the skin; coloured mark, [especially] on the forehead either as an ornament or a sectarian distinction (also [neuter]); the ornament or pride of (—�).
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Aufrecht Catalogus Catalogorum1) Tilaka (तिलक) as mentioned in Aufrecht’s Catalogus Catalogorum:—a family name among the Mahraá¹á¹as. Hall. p. 94.
2) Tilaka (तिलक):—KÄåvyaprakÄåÅ›aá¹Ä«kÄå.
3) Tilaka (तिलक):—YogabhÄåá¹£yaá¹Ä«kÄå by VÄåcaspatimiÅ›ra. Bik. 569.
4) Tilaka (तिलक):—¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡aá¹Ä«kÄå by ¸éÄå³¾²¹. Oppert. Ii, 4886.
5) Tilaka (तिलक):—father of Rucaka: Udbhaá¹aviveka q. v.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Tilaka (तिलक):—[from til] m. ([gana] ²õ³Ù³óÅ«±ôÄå»å¾±) Clerodendrum phlomoides (Symplocos racemosa, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]), [²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹] etc.
2) [v.s. ...] a freckle (compared to a sesamum-seed), [VarÄåha-mihira’s Bá¹›hat-saṃhitÄå l, 9; lii, 10; KathÄåsaritsÄågara]
3) [v.s. ...] a kind of skin-eruption, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] (in music) Name of a Dhruvaka
5) [v.s. ...] a kind of horse, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
6) [v.s. ...] Name of a prince of KampanÄå, [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä� viii, 577 ff]
7) [v.s. ...] m. (n., [Pañcadaṇá¸acchattra-prabandha ii, 57]) a mark on the forehead (made with coloured earths, sandal-wood, or unguents, either as an ornament or a sectarial distinction), [YÄåjñavalkya i, 293; ²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ iii, 11591; ¸éÄå³¾Äå²â²¹á¹‡a] (ifc. f(Äå). , [iii]) etc.
8) [v.s. ...] m. the ornament of anything (in [compound]), [Pañcatantra i, 1, 92; KathÄåsaritsÄågara] etc. (ifc. f(Äå). , [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä� iii, 375])
9) [v.s. ...] n. idem, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
10) [v.s. ...] the right lung, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
11) [v.s. ...] black sochal salt, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
12) [v.s. ...] alliteration, [¸éÄåÂá²¹³Ù²¹°ù²¹á¹…g¾±á¹‡Ä«]
13) [v.s. ...] a metre of 4 x 6 syllables
14) [v.s. ...] = ³Ù°ù¾±-Å›±ô´Ç°ìÄ«, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
15) [v.s. ...] a kind of observance, [KÄålanirṇaya [Introduction] 12]
16) °Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå (तिलकà¤�):—[from tilaka > til] f. a kind of necklace, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halÄåyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
17) [v.s. ...] cf. ±ðṇa-, kha-, vasanta-
18) [v.s. ...] Å«°ù»å³ó±¹²¹-³Ù¾±±ô²¹°ì¾±²Ô.
: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryTilaka (तिलक):—[(kaá¸�-°ì²¹á¹�)] 1. m. n. Mark on the forehead. m. A freckle, a mole; a title; a horse; a Tila tree. n. The bladder; salt, a disease. f. A necklace. a. Spotted chief.
: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Tilaka (तिलक) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Tilaga, Tilaya.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संसà¥à¤•ृतमà¥� (²õ²¹á¹ƒs°ìá¹›t²¹³¾), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryTilaka (तिलक) [Also spelled tilak]:�(nm) an ornamental or religious mark over the forehead (signifying installation on the throne or engagement etc.); a vermilion or sandal mark (over the forehead); the most eminent member (of a class, clan, dynasty, etc. as [raghukulatilaka]); commentary (of a text).
...
Kannada-English dictionary
: Alar: Kannada-English corpusTilaka (ತಿಲಕ):�
1) [noun] the tree Clerodendrum phlomidis of Verbenaceae family.
2) [noun] its beautiful flower.
3) [noun] a small, congenital spot or blemish on the human skin, usu. of a dark colour; a mole.
4) [noun] a vertical mark on the forehead made with vermilion etc.
5) [noun] anything that is of excellent in its class.
6) [noun] a man who is regarded as great for his excellent quality, calibre, etc.; an ideal, exemplary man.
7) [noun] a horse whose forehead has hairs that look like a vertical mark.
8) [noun] (pros.) a metre having six groups of four syllables each.
9) [noun] one of the seven stages of sexual excitement of an elephant.
--- OR ---
Tiḷaka (ತಿಳಕ):�
1) [noun] the tree Clerodendrum phlomidis of Verbenaceae family.
2) [noun] its beautiful flower.
3) [noun] a small, congenital spot or blemish on the human skin, usu. of a dark colour; a mole.
4) [noun] a vertical mark on the forehead made with vermilion etc.
5) [noun] anything that is of excellent in its class.
6) [noun] a man who is regarded as great for his excellent quality, calibre, etc.; an ideal, exemplary man.
7) [noun] a horse whose forehead has hairs that look like a vertical mark.
8) [noun] (pros.) a metre having six groups of four syllables each.
9) [noun] one of the seven stages of sexual excitement of an elephant.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryTilaka (तिलक):—n. 1. the mark placed on the forehead of devotee during ritual worship; a clay mark applied to the forehead and denoting the particular affiliation of worshipper; 2. pre-marriage payment (from the bride's side to the bridegroom); 3. sacred ashes derived from rice-ghee offered to fire; 4. coronation rites;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+14): Tilakabhairava, Tilakabhuta, Tilakabindu, Tilakacakra, Tilakacarya, Tilakagudure, Tilakah, Tilakahata, Tilakaka, Tilakakarani, Tilakakati, Tilakakka, Tilakakriya, Tilakalata, Tilakam, Tilakamanjari, Tilakamudradharanavidhi, Tilakana, Tilakanija, Tilakapraya.
Full-text (+414): Vasantatilaka, Tilakashraya, Kulatilaka, Sinduratilaka, Karpuratilaka, Doshatilaka, Pracinatilaka, Enatilaka, Satilaka, Sharadatilaka, Pratishthatilaka, Khatilaka, Kashikatilaka, Yaminipurnatilaka, Aranyetilaka, Shringaratilaka, Tilakin, Grahatilaka, Brihacchringaratilaka, Tilakah.
Relevant text
Search found 164 books and stories containing Tilaka, Ṭiḷaka, Ṭilaka, ṬiḷakÄå, ṬilakÄå, °Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄå, Tiḷaka; (plurals include: Tilakas, Ṭiḷakas, Ṭilakas, ṬiḷakÄås, ṬilakÄås, °Õ¾±±ô²¹°ìÄås, Tiḷakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by ÅšrÄ« ÅšrÄ«mad BhaktivedÄånta NÄårÄåyana GosvÄåmÄ« MahÄårÄåja)
Verse 2.1.57-59 < [Chapter 1 - VairÄågya (renunciation)]
Verse 2.1.167 < [Chapter 1 - VairÄågya (renunciation)]
Verse 2.1.77 < [Chapter 1 - VairÄågya (renunciation)]
Garga Samhita (English) (by Danavir Goswami)
Verse 2.10.6 < [Chapter 10 - Description of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s Herding the Cows]
Verse 2.20.11 < [Chapter 20 - The RÄåsa-dance Pastime]
Verse 1.12.14 < [Chapter 12 - Description of Śrī Nanda’s Festival]
Tirumantiram by Tirumular (English translation)
Verse 574: How to Practise Pranayama < [Tantra Three (munran tantiram) (verses 549-883)]
Verse 662: Reaching Purna Sakti < [Tantra Three (munran tantiram) (verses 549-883)]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by ÅšrÄ«la RÅ«pa GosvÄåmÄ«)
Verse 3.4.14 < [Part 4 - Parenthood (vÄåtsalya-rasa)]
Verse 2.1.354 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhÄåva)]
Verse 3.3.91 < [Part 3 - Fraternal Devotion (sakhya-rasa)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)