Before modern agarbatti: fragrance in Indian scriptures and books

AI-generated illustration of a contemporary fragrance workbench; materials shown are illustrative, not identified botanical specimens.

In this article: Guggulu in the Atharvaveda · Fragrance as a craft in the Brihat Samhita · Bringing that curiosity into present-day puja · Sources and further reading

A familiar fragrance can make us curious about its past. Before asking whether an incense is “ancient,” it helps to ask a more interesting question: what did older Indian texts actually say about fragrance?

A hymn in the Atharvaveda and a perfumery chapter in Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita offer two different windows into that world—one religious, the other concerned with the craft of fragrant preparations.

These are two windows into the subject, not a complete history or proof that one modern product has remained unchanged from antiquity.

Guggulu in the Atharvaveda

Atharvaveda 19.38, in the Whitney–Lanman translation, refers to the agreeable scent of guggulu in a hymn concerned with protection from illness and harm. The passage shows an aromatic substance appearing within the text's religious and healing outlook.

The edition's introductory note also reports a use of the hymn with incense in a royal ceremony, citing commentary and a supplementary ritual text. That note is a separate layer of evidence: it should not be mistaken for a statement made in the hymn itself.

The historical language about healing describes the text's beliefs. It does not establish that burning a modern incense product prevents or treats disease. Nor does a mention of guggulu tell us the ingredients of a product sold today.

Fragrance as a craft in the Brihat Samhita

Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita, generally placed in the sixth century CE, has an entire chapter on preparing perfumes: chapter 77, Gandhayukti, in N. Chidambaram Iyer's translation.

Verses 6–9 describe scented preparations, including oils, mixtures and exposure to fragrant smoke. Verse 10 discusses varying proportions. The chapter gives us a glimpse of fragrance as a craft involving materials and combinations, alongside its place in cultural life. Its royal and cosmetic settings should not be relabelled as instructions for every puja.

This is an encyclopedic Sanskrit work, not a Veda or a Purana. The distinction matters: several kinds of literature contribute to the history of fragrance, and they do not all serve the same purpose.

What these sources do—and do not—tell us

They help us ask more precise questions. Are we reading a hymn, a ritual instruction, a commentary or a perfumery recipe? Does the passage discuss an aromatic material, an offering or a finished object? Those differences can disappear when every old reference is simply called “ancient agarbatti.”

Neither passage, on its own, proves that today's bamboo-cored incense sticks, manufactured dhoop cups or any Janak blend use the same form or recipe. A similar name is a reason to investigate, not proof of an unchanged manufacturing tradition.

Bringing that curiosity into present-day puja

Use historical reading to deepen your understanding, then follow the materials and method of your own family or temple tradition. Do not recreate an old preparation from an English ingredient name alone: identification, preparation and intended use need careful checking.

For a modern product, read its declared contents and instructions. A fragrance note is not necessarily an ingredient list. Our article on choosing incense sticks and comparison of dhoop formats explain the practical differences.

Use burning incense with ventilation and a suitable stable, heat-resistant holder on a non-flammable surface. Keep away from children, pets and combustible materials, never leave it unattended, and let the ash and holder cool before handling.

Sources and further reading

• Atharva-Veda Samhita, Book XIX, Hymn 38: William Dwight Whitney's translation, edited by Charles Rockwell Lanman. Read the hymn separately from its editorial and commentary notes.
• Brihat Samhita, chapter 77: N. Chidambaram Iyer's English translation, especially verses 6–10. Verse references here follow that edition.

This article is an introduction to textual history, not a ritual manual, a medical recommendation or a claim of scriptural endorsement for a commercial product.

Sources compiled for Janak Perfumers. Explanations and editorial illustrations prepared with AI assistance. References checked on 25 October 2026.