Incense; was -- What are the scriptural or traditional ingredients ?

[Guest guest]

, kanna krishnan

<kanna_krishnan2002> wrote:

 

[....]

[Concerns about the non-biodegradable ingredients in clay idols,

synthetic or corrosive ingredients in sandal paste, and allergenic

or irritating ingredients in kumkum]

[....]

 

And some commercial incense today causes irratation to the

throat and headache which the doctor stated the incense

have caused allergic reaction.

 

Therefore, can anybody share the scriptural reference -if any or

other othodox

way of preparing items below ;

 

a) Clay Idol for worship [....]

b) How to make kunkum

c) How to make incense

d) How to make sandal paste

 

I wonder any scriptures on this matter [....]

[end quote from Kanna Krishnan]

 

I have a little information on incense; it's an interest and hobby of

mine.

 

It's true that lots of folks have sensitivities and reactions to

modern incense. Most incense manufacturers don't list the incense

ingredients on the package at all; one has no way of knowing what's

in a particular incense mixture. In addition to traditional resins,

woods, and herbs, incense may contain any number of synthetic

ingredients, some of which may not be safe to burn.

 

And there are no "truth in packaging" rules. The words "all natural"

on the package may be fact or fantasy.

 

With regards to scriptural references, here is what I've been able to

find on line. I would not be at all surprised if there are more

scriptural references.

 

from:

http://www.hinduism.co.za/flowers-.htm

Scroll down a bit to get to the part on incense

 

"Flowers – Incense - Lamps - Vali

>From The Mahabharata

Anusasana Parva, Section XCVIII

Translated by Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

Addressing Yudhishthira, Bhishma refers to an old narrative of the

discourse between Manu, that lord of creatures and an ascetic by the

name of Suvarna.

 

[....]

Incense

 

I shall, after this, speak to thee of the merits that attach to the

ordinances about the gift of incense. Know O prince of Asuras, that

incenses are of diverse kinds. Some of them are auspicious and some

inauspicious. Some incense consist of exudations. Some are made of

fragrant wood set on fire. And some are artificial, being made by the

hand, of diverse articles mixed together. Their scent is of two

kinds, viz., agreeable and disagreeable. Listen to me as I discourse

on the subject in detail.

 

Note: Dhupas are incenses offered to the deities. Being of

inflammable substances, they are so made that they may burn slowly or

smoulder silently. They are the inseparable accompaniments of a

worship of the deities.

 

All exudations except that of the Boswellia serrata are agreeable to

the deities. It is, however, certain that the best of all exudations

is that of the Balsamodendron Mukul. Of all Dhupas of the Sari class,

the Aquilaria Agallocha is the best. It is very agreeable to the

Yakshas, the Rakshasas, and Nagas. The exudation of the Boswellia

serrata, and others of the same class, are much desired by the

Daityas. Dhupas made of the exudation of the Shorea robusta and the

Pinus deodara, mixed with various spirits of strong scent, are, O

king, ordained for human beings. Such Dhupas are said to immediately

gratify the deities, the Danavas, and spirits. Besides these, there

are many other kinds of Dhupas used by men of purposes of pleasure or

enjoyment. All the merits that have been spoken of as attaching to

the offer of flowers should be known equally to attach to the gift of

such Dhupas as are productive of gratification."

 

----end article excerpt--------

 

Boswellia serrata is Indian frankincense. I understand it's used in

Ayurvedic medicine. B. serrata is a different species than the

Middle Eastern frankincense commonly available in the West, and I'm

told B. serrata has a somewhat different scent.

 

Balsamodendron mukul is also known as Commiphora mukul; common names

are common myrrh, bdellium, guggulu, guggul. It is related to the

African myrrh tree, but, again, this is not the same myrrh as is

commonly available in the west.

 

Aloeswood, agarwood, or oud is the resinous wood produced by

Aquilaria trees when they are infected by particular micro-

organisms. Aloeswood is a highly prized (and expensive) traditional

incense ingredient.

 

Shorea robusta is (I believe) the Sal tree.

 

I believe Pinus deodara is the same as Cedrus deodara, the Himalayan

cedar. That makes sense, as cedar is commonly used as an incense

ingredient in Tibetan incense.

 

----end definitions---------

 

I think it's very interesting (and odd) that sandalwood (as incense)

didn't make the above list! Incense made from the ingredients listed

above would have a very sharp, penetrating scent--not particularly

sweet.

 

I would very much be interested in locating information (in English)

on traditional incense recipes and ways of making incense. I have a

fair bit of information on Japanese incense, but almost nothing on

other traditions. If a group member could point me in the right

direciton, I would be most grateful.

 

It's certainly possible to make your own incense; I have made my own

cone incense, and it's even easier to make powder incense to burn on

charcoal. I'm told it's relatively easy to make joss sticks (incense

sticks that don't have a bamboo or wood core), but I haven't tried

that yet.

 

If you are interested in making incense, let me know via email and

I'll point you towards some online resources.

[Guest guest]

Tell me more about making incense, Ms. Bauju!

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 17:24:33 -0000 "msbauju" <msbauju writes:

>

>

> I think it's very interesting (and odd) that sandalwood (as incense)

>

> didn't make the above list! Incense made from the ingredients

> listed

> above would have a very sharp, penetrating scent--not particularly

> sweet.

>

> I would very much be interested in locating information (in English)

>

> on traditional incense recipes and ways of making incense. I have a

>

> fair bit of information on Japanese incense, but almost nothing on

> other traditions. If a group member could point me in the right

> direciton, I would be most grateful.

>

> It's certainly possible to make your own incense; I have made my own

>

> cone incense, and it's even easier to make powder incense to burn on

>

> charcoal. I'm told it's relatively easy to make joss sticks

> (incense

> sticks that don't have a bamboo or wood core), but I haven't tried

> that yet.

>

> If you are interested in making incense, let me know via email and

> I'll point you towards some online resources.

>

>

>

 

 

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[Guest guest]

the two items referred to are different

Sandal comes in the earth element Gandham or that which is smelt.

Incense comes in Dhoopam which is the air element.

 

kalipadma wrote:

 

Tell me more about making incense, Ms. Bauju!

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 17:24:33 -0000 "msbauju" <msbauju writes:

>

>

> I think it's very interesting (and odd) that sandalwood (as incense) didn't

make the above list! Incense made from the ingredients listed above would have

a very sharp, penetrating scent--not particularly sweet.

>

> I would very much be interested in locating information (in English) on

traditional incense recipes and ways of making incense. I have a fair bit of

information on Japanese incense, but almost nothing on other traditions. If a

group member could point me in the right direciton, I would be most grateful.

>

> It's certainly possible to make your own incense; I have made my own cone

incense, and it's even easier to make powder incense to burn on charcoal. I'm

told it's relatively easy to make joss sticks (incense sticks that don't have a

bamboo or wood core), but I haven't tried that yet.

>

> If you are interested in making incense, let me know via email and I'll point

you towards some online resources.

>

>

>

 

 

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