How to Offer Incense Smoke As Per Shaiva Agama

In Śaiva Āgamic worship, dhūpa ( incense smoke ) is an important upacāra ( ritual ) offered to the deity. It is not merely the act of showing incense, but a ritual offering of fragrant smoke, performed with proper substance, sequence, distance, mudrā, and bell-sound.

When using cāmpirāṇi ( incense powder in Tamiḻ ) powder, it should be burnt properly so that a good amount of smoke is produced. The dhūpa pātra ( cup ) should not be placed too close to the nose of the deity. It should be held at a comfortable distance, allowing the smoke to gently float and naturally reach the nose of the deity. Imagine how you would want someone to serve you fragrance. 

During abhiṣeka, at every interval after each dravya ( abhiṣeka item like milk, curd etc ), cāmpirāṇi smoke should be offered. The smoke should be gently fanned towards the deity.

There are sixteen types of powders prescribed for producing cāmpirāṇi smoke. Among them, there are eight main items. The Āgamic tradition also prescribes twelve different types of dhūpa for the twelve months.

Among the important forms of dhūpa are:

Image: Akil ( Agarwood )

1. Akil dhūpa

This is prepared from kār akil, also known as karuppu akil, obtained from the branch of the akil tree, the agarwood tree.

2. Candana dhūpa

This is prepared using powdered sandalwood.

Image: Kuṅkiliya Kalaya Nāyaṉār, one of the revered saints Whose worship was to offer incense, derives His honorific name from the Kuṅkiliya incense.

3. Kuṅkiliyam dhūpa

This is prepared using kuṅkiliyam, a white resinous substance. It produces auspicious white smoke. The Nāyaṉār known as Kuṅkiliya Kalaya Nāyaṉār derives his name from this sacred substance.

4. Śītari dhūpa

This is prepared from the herb śītari vaṭi, which is also used to make long rods of incense. This form of dhūpa is regarded as being of great value in the Āgamic tradition. The word śītari may be understood as śīta-ari — “the enemy of cold.” Hence, it is said to remove diseases associated with cold.

The purpose of dhūpa is deeply connected with purification and protection. It is said:

dhūpo harati pāpāni

“Dhūpa removes sins.”

Dhūpa is also said to eradicate diseases. When dhūpa is properly offered along with the sound of the bell, the pūjā confers peace and well-being upon the village.

The resin or exudate obtained from a tree is called niryāsa. Śrīveṣṭhaka is one example of such a resin. Maṭṭippāl is another example.

Preparation of Śītari Dhūpa

For preparing śītari dhūpa, the following substances are used:

1. Resin or exudate, known as niryāsa, obtained from the akil herb found in forests — two portions

2. Candana — three portions

3. Paccai karpūram

4. A small quantity of honey and ghee

When this mixture is prepared and burnt, it becomes śītari dhūpa.

Other substances that may be used for dhūpa include jaṭāmāṃsī, camphor, pūvam koṭṭai, uśīra or veṭṭivēr, also known as vilāmiccai vēr.

A mixture of paccai karpūram ( edible camphor )and honey is regarded as madhyama dhūpa.

Kuṅkiliyam powder mixed with honey and ghee, when burnt as dhūpa, is regarded as adhama dhūpa.

If no other substance is available, even powdered branches of akil may be ground and burnt. This is known as agaru dhūpa.

Method of Offering Dhūpa

For dhūpa offering, copious smoke must be produced. The powder should be placed upon burning embers so that the smoke rises properly.

The dhūpa pātra should be held in the right hand, while the bell should be held in the left hand and rung. The smoke should be hovered towards the deity using paṭāka mudrā.

Dhūpa is to be shown four times:

1. Before the beginning of the pūjā

2. After abhiṣeka

3. At the conclusion of arcana

4. Together with dīpa, using ghee from a kapilā cow

Thus, dhūpa must be offered with the correct substance, proper smoke, bell-sound, mudrā, and reverence. When performed according to Śaiva Āgamic procedure, it purifies the atmosphere, removes pāpa, wards off disease, and brings peace to the place where the pūjā is conducted.

Here, I am sharing whatever my guru Shivashri Somashekhara Shivacharya taught in verbatim and inspired me to enrich. Please share this knowledge around.