Stream of cool, herbalized buttermilk poured back and forth over the forehead: Tak, as it is known, is usually given for seven days following abhyanga or potra potali (below), and is very good for the brain, head, scalp and hair (including hair-loss). The center of the forehead is one of the main marma points (energy/intelligence junctions) in the body. So even though tak is a head treatment, it is highly beneficial for the whole body because marma health is vital to our health and well-being. Takradhara is also especially stimulating and strengthening to the hypothalamus, is deeply calming and promotes good mind-body coordination. "Takradhara and meditation will release the anger—immediately tak works on the hypothalamus, like in the fevers (putting a cool cloth on the forehead). Takradhara is mentioned a lot for the pitta [heat and metabolism], to control the hypothalamus which is the heat-regulating point in our body.

"The hypothalamus is also known as the emotional controller. It is compared with the ax of Parasharama, a very angry brahmin in the Vedic Texts, who lost control when he got angry. So when you get very angry, it loses the control (the hypothalamus), then temper and so many things will come out, so you will not be knowing what you are saying and doing. Similarly, the deeper and deeper emotions can be controlled by the hypothalamus through takradhara. So when we do the tak for seven days it is very good, but if we do it for 14 days, then the much deeper emotional stresses will go away." Dr. Krishna Raju