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In the Narad Bhakti Sutras, Naradji gives nine
forms of Bhakti, known as Navdha Bhakti. Of these,
Archanam is the fifth. This means applying materials
such as chandan (sandalwood paste) and kumkum, on Parmatma.
By archanam, the bhakta experiences greater love for Him.
In the Sanatan Dharma, bhaktas traditionally use chandan
the most, because it has immense fragrance. It also has
great cooling and soothing properties. In the Vaishnav sampraday,
chandan is smeared on “Lalji” – the child
form of Shri Krishna during the hot summer months. In many
mandirs of south India, it is applied throughout the year.
In the Swaminarayan sampraday, during the early 19th century,
paramhansas such as Muktanand Swami and Anandanand Swami
smeared chandan all over Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s body.
This tradition continued in the mandirs He built. The poet
Premanand Swami composed beautiful kirtans about chandan
adornments worn by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
In Vachanamrut Gadhada III-23, Shriji Maharaj commands devotees
to do mansi puja. In this, He includes applying chandan
on Bhagwan during the hot summer months. This is to cool
Him and to increase our inner bhav for Him. The
bhaktas also pray that, by cooling Bhagwan during summer,
He will bless the whole land with a lot of rain during the
monsoon.
Method
Every year, chandan adornments start on Vaishakh sud 3,
traditionally known as Akha Trij. They last for one month
between May and June.
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Until
recently, sadhus themselves used to ground sandalwood on stone
using water. Now motors are used. The paste is tied in a cloth
and left overnight. Excess water drains out. |
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In the morning,
the chandan is removed. It now has a dough-like texture. After
mangala arti, around 5.45 a.m., the santos begin chandan vagha. |
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This is only
done on metallic murtis, of panch dhatus and not on marble
or wooden murtis. |
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Lumps of chandan
are dabbed all over the murti. Then it is smoothed with either
a thin cloth or a brush. |
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Then begins the
creative part, of decorating with all sorts of materials.
These can be things like : rich laces, flowers, leaves, whole
spices and dry fruit such as : cardamom (elaichi), cloves
(laving), almonds and cashew, whole grains and pulses such
as : dry peas, chana, mung, lentils (udad) and dry beans of
various colours and types. |
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This process
takes about one and a half hours, until shangar arti, at 7.30
a.m. |
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During the day,
the chandan begins to dry. So water is sprayed every so often
to keep it moist and to prevent it from cracking. |
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In the evening,
the chandan is removed and the murti dabbed clean with a wet
towel. |
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The sanctified
chandan is then used to make small gotis (tablets), about
1.5 inches long. These are left to dry for one or two days.
These are then used by bhaktas in their morning nitya puja
to do tilak. |
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