White Lotus Aromatics Newsletter - Champa 2, March 15, 2002
NewsNeNwsNNewsletter Archive ewsl
Champa 2
In ancient times the countries perfumers discovered the technique of distilling the flowers into sandalwood to capture the essence of these botancial treasures for those who might not live in the proximity of the living trees, shrubs and vines. These precious perfumes were given the name of attars and the method of their distillation is still maintained amongst a few dedicated artisans who appreciate the art and craft of distillation using copper stills and the amazing fixative qualities of sandalwood the base of all pure attars.The simple but labor intensive means of capturing the vibrant ethereal aromatic galaxy of molecules concealed within the flowers via hydrodistillinghas in recent years been declining so one of the first works that Ramakant and I took up was to employ a master distiller to prepare small amounts of pure attars for us in the time honored ways. Very few people today are willing to spend a 15-20 days distilling one attar but we felt that this beautiful art and craft should not be lost and in the last three years many people have come to enjoy the subtle and precious essences produced by this tecnique.
One of the most notable thing about this process is that a genuine attar created by distilling aromatic plants into sandalwood, get better and better with the passing years. This is one of the many wonders of the natural fixative value of sandalwood. There is some quality in this precious and rare oil that permits the aromatic molecules of the plants distilled into it to in some way become perfectly mingled with it. The two essences do not seemly coexist but enter into a special bond where both of the oils become the more beautiful for it but of equal if not greater importance is that sandalwood preserves the precioius essence for many years to come and the total composition becomes more smooth, round and delcious.
Thefirst attars we had distilled 3 years ago are more rich and beautiful than when they first arrived. The attars then become one way that people living in other countries can connect with the spirit of the land because the odours of plants have such a fine way of carrying our hearts to the places where they are growing. Traveling without feet on the gentle aroma of a pure attar we can come very near to ancient places and the plants and people who dwell there. Aroma is one very incredible way to study the beauty and mystery of the world.
One very important part of such explorations is taking the time to get to know a particular essence and its unique personality. Natural essences are every changing and displaying new and unusual facets of their character as we smell them over a period of time. If one patiently sits with them one will come to realize each attar is a universe itself full of wonder and delight. When we encounter such aromatic treasures and allow ourselves to be escorted into the world of their aromatic aura, then the heart is gladdened in a myriad of ways. When the heart becomes glad and our attention becomes filled with things beautiful, lovely and bright then even if we do not know the specific healing virtue of a plant we may find ourselves suddently viewing life with a quiet zest and appreciation. It is the silent miracle of aromatic healing at work which does not necessarily depend on the normal operations of the rational mind to produce a sublime effect.
So here we go on another aromatic adventure.
The sweet winds whispering breathe while the faint twilight fades,
And the fire-flies are gleaming like gems thro' the trees,
And the humming birds'hues, shine like stars thro' the shades,
As they float to their cinnamon nests on the breeze!
Flowers filled with all odours now scent the rich airs,
Where aloes, annanas, and orange-trees blow;
The fierce forest-kings slumber sound in their lairs,
Heaven above mirrored seems by a Heaven below.
Bright glow the champaka and pomegranate flowers,
Like stars that have fallen to Earth with a blush!
And the wild bulbul's strains are prolonged thro' these hours,
Till the zephyr streams by one rich musical gush!
Oh! how this deep beautiful music of night
Is stirring up echoes like spirits around---
Till the stars---those great, glorious Creations of Light---
Are listening like lovers to love's tenderest sound.
Stuart-Wortley, Emmeline, Lady, 1806-1855: AN EASTERN NIGHT. [from Hours at Naples, and Other Poems (1837)]
Standing beneath these sacred Champaka trees in the midst of a part of India that has remained little changed for thousands of years, I understood why it was so important for me to have actually made the journey to that place. The entire atmosphere conveyed something which just was not possible to get from any book. A small farm housestood nearby, where the simple rural folk went about the activities of their daily lives. Bullocks were tethered near the trees where we stood and they quietly munched on their pile of hay. A gentle breeze blew through the trees as we enjoyedthe simple sites, sounds and smells around us. We had stepped out of the 20th century into a place where nature and humans still interacted in an intimate way.
Permeating that simple place was the spirit of a land whose people that have worshipped, in a multitude of ways, the grand mystery of life for thousands of years. An intregal part of their worship has been the perfect gifts with which the plant
world has provided them in the form of exotic flowers, aromatic spices, earthy roots, fresh herbs, and precious woods. For some reason the land of India has possessed and continues to possess an astonishing range of such aromatic botanicals and in each part of the country the people have used them to symbolically express theirlove and devotion for that Hidden Power that is the source of their life.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about fifty species of tender, evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the family, Magnoliaceae. These plants are natives of tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia. M. figo (Banana Shrub; Port Wine Magnolia) is a slow growing, medium-sized to large shrub that can grow up to 15 feet high and almost as wide. It is covered with small, glossy green leaves and bears clusters of large, white, sometimes purple-streaked, flowers with a potent, sweet banana scent. This shrub is excellent for growing in places where the fragrance can be enjoyed and makes a suitable hedge although it is slow growing. M. doltsopa is a small to medium-sized shrub with tough leaves, 6 to 7 inches long, that are glaucous underneath. Their fragrant, numerous-petaled, white flowers are borne in the spring. M. champaca, a native of India, Java, and the Philippine Islands, is a medium-sized tree that produces cream, orange, or yellow flowers in the spring. The flowers of this plant produce an essential oil that is used in perfume. There are also several species of Michelia that form large trees in their native tropical forests and whose wood is used for building purposes.
http://www.botany.com/michelia.html
Several years ago, while studying about the exotic flowers of the East I came across a reference to one called golden champa. The name itself had a strong appeal for me and I became interested in uncovering whatever information I could on the plant. Further research revealed that the delicate flower possessed a rich, ethereal odor that was much prized by the people of India. The tree upon which it grew had glossy green leaves and towered to height of 100 feet in a pyramidical shape. When the tree was in bloom, covered with thousands of golden fragrant blossoms, it was said to be a sight of rare and exquisite beauty.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
Images
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/magnoli.htm
superb page showing images of different genus and species of Magnoliaceae Family of which Michelia champaca is a part. Also good semi technical botanical description of the plants
www.prosea.nl/images/michelia-champaca.JPG
www.ftg.org/horticulture/membersday00.html
www.sheridangardens.com/tree%20images/
Michelia_champaca.jpg
Dear Friends-
This is the second part on the series of newsletters dedicated to the exotic flowers of India that are used in the form of garlands, hair ornaments, medicines, traditional perfumes, etc to enrich the lives of the people dwelling in that ancient land.
Before entering the domain of Sona Champaca/Michelia champaca I would like to share a few things.
Jasmin sambac/Jasmin grandiflorum Preorder
A couple of times a year I order Jasmin sambac and Jasmin grandiflorum absolute from South India. On Sunday I will be sending in the new order. For those of you who wish to preorder in 4 ounce quantities here are the prices.
Jasmin sambac absolute-$320(4 ounces)
Jasmin grandiflorum absolute-$300(4 ounces)
Jasmin sambac and Jasmin grandiflorum concretes are also available in minimum 8 once quantities-
Jasmin sambac concrete-$320(8 ounces)
Jasmin grandiflorum concrete-$300(8 ounces)
If you wish to preorder I need to have your request by Sunday. Kindly note this is just for preorders. Prices will revert to prices posted on the internet after Sunday. It will take one month for the consignment to reach here.
Status of Absolute Preorder
For all of you who preorder absolutes from the recent newsletter(April 17th) Most all the absolutes are making their way here from various extracting units. By the end of the month I should be able to mail them out
Links to Articles on Attar Industry
http://expressindia.com/fe/daily/19970615/16655383.html
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020401/agro.htm
http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970621/17250813.html
http://www.indianvisit.com/unexplored/kannauj.htm
http://www.chandnichowk.com/attar.htm
http://www.ultrainternational.com/centifoliamam.htm
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr07/sh3.htm
http://www.indianembassy.org/US_Media/1999/seeking_soul_delhi_nov_21_99.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2425/summer.htm
In ancient times the countries perfumers discovered the technique of distilling the flowers into sandalwood to capture the essence of these botancial treasures for those who might not live in the proximity of the living trees, shrubs and vines. These precious perfumes were given the name of attars and the method of their distillation is still maintained amongst a few dedicated artisans who appreciate the art and craft of distillation using copper stills and the amazing fixative qualities of sandalwood the base of all pure attars.
The simple but labor intensive means of capturing the vibrant ethereal aromatic galaxy of molecules concealed within the flowers via hydrodistillinghas in recent years been declining so one of the first works that Ramakant and I took up was to employ a master distiller to prepare small amounts of pure attars for us in the time honored ways. Very few people today are willing to spend a 15-20 days distilling one attar but we felt that this beautiful art and craft should not be lost and in the last three years many people have come to enjoy the subtle and precious essences produced by this tecnique.
One of the most notable thing about this process is that a genuine attar created by distilling aromatic plants into sandalwood, get better and better with the passing years. This is one of the many wonders of the natural fixative value of sandalwood. There is some quality in this precious and rare oil that permits the aromatic molecules of the plants distilled into it to in some way become perfectly mingled with it. The two essences do not seemly coexist but enter into a special bond where both of the oils become the more beautiful for it but of equal if not greater importance is that sandalwood preserves the precioius essence for many years to come and the total composition becomes more smooth, round and delcious. Thefirst attars we had distilled 3 years ago are more rich and beautiful than when they first arrived.
The attars then become one way that people living in other countries can connect with the spirit of the land because the odours of plants have such a fine way of carrying our hearts to the places where they are growing. Traveling without feet on the gentle aroma of a pure attar we can come very near to ancient places and the plants and people who dwell there. Aroma is one very incredible way to study the beauty and mystery of the world.
One very important part of such explorations is taking the time to get to know a particular essence and its unique personality. Natural essences are every changing and displaying new and unusual facets of their character as we smell them over a period of time. If one patiently sits with them one will come to realize each attar is a universe itself full of wonder and delight. When we encounter such aromatic treasures and allow ourselves to be escorted into the world of their aromatic aura, then the heart is gladdened in a myriad of ways. When the heart becomes glad and our attention becomes filled with things beautiful, lovely and bright then even if we do not know the specific healing virtue of a plant we may find ourselves suddently viewing life with a quiet zest and appreciation. It is the silent miracle of aromatic healing at work which does not necessarily depend on the normal operations of the rational mind to produce a sublime effect.
So here we go on another aromatic adventure.
The sweet winds whispering breathe while the faint twilight fades,
And the fire-flies are gleaming like gems thro' the trees,
And the humming birds'hues, shine like stars thro' the shades,
As they float to their cinnamon nests on the breeze!
Flowers filled with all odours now scent the rich airs,
Where aloes, annanas, and orange-trees blow;
The fierce forest-kings slumber sound in their lairs,
Heaven above mirrored seems by a Heaven below.
Bright glow the champaka and pomegranate flowers,
Like stars that have fallen to Earth with a blush!
And the wild bulbul's strains are prolonged thro' these hours,
Till the zephyr streams by one rich musical gush!
Oh! how this deep beautiful music of night
Is stirring up echoes like spirits around---
Till the stars---those great, glorious Creations of Light---
Are listening like lovers to love's tenderest sound.
Stuart-Wortley, Emmeline, Lady, 1806-1855: AN EASTERN NIGHT. [from Hours at Naples, and Other Poems (1837)]
Standing beneath these sacred Champaka trees in the midst of a part of India that has remained little changed for thousands of years, I understood why it was so important for me to have actually made the journey to that place. The entire atmosphere conveyed something which just was not possible to get from any book. A small farm housestood nearby, where the simple rural folk went about the activities of their daily lives. Bullocks were tethered near the trees where we stood and they quietly munched on their pile of hay. A gentle breeze blew through the trees as we enjoyedthe simple sites, sounds and smells around us. We had stepped out of the 20thcentury into a place where nature and humans still interacted in an intimate way.
Permeating that simple place was the spirit of a land whose people that have
worshipped, in a multitude of ways, the grand mystery of life for thousands of years.
An intregal part of their worship has been the perfect gifts with which the plant
world has provided them in the form of exotic flowers, aromatic spices, earthy roots,
fresh herbs, and precious woods. For some reason the land of India has possessed
and continues to possess an astonishing range of such aromatic botanicals and in
each part of the country the people have used them to symbolically express their
love and devotion for that Hidden Power that is the source of their life.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
Description
DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about fifty species of tender, evergreen trees and shrubs belonging to the family, Magnoliaceae. These plants are
natives of tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia. M. figo (Banana Shrub; Port Wine Magnolia) is a slow growing, medium-sized to large shrub that can
grow up to 15 feet high and almost as wide. It is covered with small, glossy green leaves and bears clusters of large, white, sometimes purple-streaked,
flowers with a potent, sweet banana scent. This shrub is excellent for growing in places where the fragrance can be enjoyed and makes a suitable hedge
although it is slow growing. M. doltsopa is a small to medium-sized shrub with tough leaves, 6 to 7 inches long, that are glaucous underneath. Their
fragrant, numerous-petaled, white flowers are borne in the spring. M. champaca, a native of India, Java, and the Philippine Islands, is a medium-sized tree
that produces cream, orange, or yellow flowers in the spring. The flowers of this plant produce an essential oil that is used in perfume. There are also several
species of Michelia that form large trees in their native tropical forests and whose wood is used for building purposes.
http://www.botany.com/michelia.html
Several years ago, while studying about the exotic
flowers of the East I came across a reference to one
called golden champa. The name itself had a strong
appeal for me and I became interested in uncovering
whatever information I could on the plant. Further
research revealed that the delicate flower possessed a
rich, ethereal odor that was much prized by the people
of India. The tree upon which it grew had glossy green
leaves and towered to height of 100 feet in a pyramidical shape. When the tree was
in bloom, covered with thousands of golden fragrant blossoms, it was said to be a
sight of rare and exquisite beauty.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
Images
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/magnoli.htm
superb page showing images of different genus and species of Magnoliaceae Family of which Michelia champaca is a part. Also good semi technical botanical description of the plants
www.prosea.nl/images/michelia-champaca.JPG
www.ftg.org/horticulture/membersday00.html
www.sheridangardens.com/tree%20images/
Michelia_champaca.jpg
Michelia champaca
This is the most similar to the Michelia alba. The flowers are dark yellow or light orange color. Legendaryethnobotany resources has this to say about the tree,
"One of the worlds most fragrant flowers. Buddhist History holds that the Buddha was born under the blooms of this fragrant flower ,as his mother Maya gave birth. Used in incense production, and is one of the most valued. Also used in perfumery and in
medicine.
Uses of the Flower
The flower has a number of other cosmetic, medicinal and economic uses. Hair oils are prepared using a special technique of layering the fresh flowers between husked sesame seeds and allowing the fragrance to become absorbed into them over the course of a day. The flowers are then changed and new ones placed and this process continues for a number of days until the seeds have been properly charged with the fragrance of the flowers. Then the seeds are cold pressed and the resulting oil is used for perfuming the hair. The flowers are also used for producing a yellow dye for dyeing textiles. An infusion or decoction of flowers is recomended in cases of dyspepsia, nauseau and fevers; and these liquid elixirs have also been found useful in treating gonorrhea and renal diseases. Flowers beaten up or macerated in sweet oil form excellent external applications for diseases of the head, eyes and nose. This oil has also been found useful in treating sub-acute rheumatism, vertigo, and gout and is valued in relieving common headache.
Young leaves of the tree are crushed in water to make a cooling antiseptic lotion used as eyedrops. The juice of the leaves is used for treating colic.
Various medicinal preparations are derived from the bark of the tree. It is considered efficacious as a stimulant, antispasmodic, and febrifuge. In the form of a powder and also as a decoction the bark is useful in intermittent fevers and in mild cases of gastritis. The bark has slightly aromatic qualities and is used as an adulterant for cinnamon. It adds flavor to betel nut which is chewed for its digestive and stimulant properties. The dried root and root bark are used as purgatives and to promote menstrual flow. Seed and fruit of the tree also have various uses. In some areas the fruits are eaten. Fruit and seed are both used in a preparation for healing the cracks on the feet. An oil is extracted from the seeds which when rubbed on the abdomen is useful in relieving flatulence. The seeds are ingested for removing intestinal worms. These are but a few of the beneficial properties ascribed to the Michelia champacatree.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
Local Names: Champa (Oriya)
Description of the Plant: Medium sized tree. Flower colour yellow. Flowers in April and may. Fruits inJuly and August. Largely found in plains, uplands, and also in forests. Tribal peoples of Orissa plant it in their backyards.
Plant Parts Used: Bark / Leaf.
Healthcare Properties:
1.Conjunctivitis: Boil the leaves of Michelia champaca with some amount of water. Filter the
decoction twice a day for three days. (B-3) [OR-3-2-45]
2.Dandruff: Extract juice from the leaves of Michelia champaca. Add 50 g coconut oio to this juice.Massage this juice on head twice a day for three days after taking bath. (S-6) [OR-2-2-1299]
3.Lice: Powder the bark of Michelia champaca. Mix this powder to coconut oil. Massage this oil
(mixed this powder) on head once a day for four days. (B-3) [OR-3-2-45] (OR) Extract juice from the leaves of Michelia champaca. Apply this juice on the scalp to kill lice. After application, sun dry the hair. Caution: The juice should not come in contact with the eyes. (B-28) [OR-1-2-206]
4.Worm infection: Extract juice from the leaves of Michelia champaca. Take one teaspoonful of this juice orally twice a day with little sugar for two days. (B-3) [OR-3-2-45]
Other Usage's:
1.Fragrant flowers of this plant are used for sacred purposes. (Kandha)
User Communities:
1.Dhoba (SC) in Keonjhar district.
2.Kandha (ST) in Kandhamal disrict.
3.Kshatriya (G) in Nabarangpur district.
http://www.mssrf.org.sg/webfris/fris1148.html
Scaring away with scent
Rhinocerous beetle (Oryctus rhinocerous) is a major pest in coconut plantation. To control this, plant a few Michelia champaca trees(locally known as 'sampige') in between coconut trees in the orchard. The fragrance of champaca flowers drives away the beetles.
(Honey Bee, 8(1):14, 1997).(comm: Hittalagida:Kannada version of Honeybee, Ed:T.N.Prakash)
http://www.sristi.org/karnataka.htm
Champaca (Michelia champaca): Local name: Chêmpaka.
Grown in the graveyards of Malay and on temple grounds in India; this tree's flowers are a frequent offering to the Gods. Champac perfume is made from the essential oil of these flowers; as well as an oily eye wash. India's silk worms batten on
the leaves, and the bark is used to treat fevers. The roots are purgative, and are also used externally in a decoction to treat abacuses. The flowers are ingested to treat kidney disease.
http://www.paganism.com/ag/herbs/c.html
Michelia champaca Champaka gastritis, chronic arthritis (?), emmenagogue, diuretic, colic
http://www.drdeorio.com/ayruvedic.html
Symbolic Meaning of Champa in Indian cultural and spritual tradition
Champak’.
An Indian tree (Michelia Champaca). The wood is sacred to Buddha, and the strongly-scented golden flowers are worn in the black hair of Indian women.
“The Champak odours fail" Shelley Lines to Indian Air
A very interesting name from the point of view of our research is priya-saMdeÊa "a friendly message" according to MW, or "a message to the beloved".
http://www.cuni.cz/ffiu/pandanus/neem_campaka.html
Campaka occurs both in Tamil and Sanskrit literatures mostly in the connection with the beautiful golden colour of its flowers. Its strong fragrance attracts bees. This image certainly has at least in the Tamil poetry clear erotic connotations. The hypothesis that campaka is used for sending love-messages still need more detailed investigation. Faded flowers of campaka occcur in the Tamil poetry in the images of devastation, destruction or danger. Other occurrences (lists, Tevaram etc.) are also common.
http://www.cuni.cz/ffiu/pandanus/neem_campaka.html
When one holds a lovely champa flower in their hand they can easily understand what a powerful bridge of communication this is between the seen and unseen world. The perfect form, color and fragrance of the flower so beautifully expresses the high aspirations that are concealed within the human heart. The delicate flower with its
fine shape and color are like the human body in which the spirit dwells. When the first gentle rays of the sun alight upon the delicate blossom it gives up its perfume so that the enviroment in which it dwells is bathed with its delicatable fragrance. In the same way when the sun of spirituality awakens in a persons heart the good qualities flow out as a natural blessing upon the world in which they live. In the Indian mind, this world of metaphor, symbolism, and simile is vibrantly alive as a livingpower and that is why these ancient aromatic traditions have so much meaning. I felt very grateful that Mr. Samuel had introduced me to that place where I could once again imbibe a little of the precious gift of spirituality which has been part of India's heritage for many millenia.
http://members.aol.com/parijata/champa.html
Finally Ramakant guided me to a stall where a man reknowned for the quality of his flowers was doing business. There, nicely spread out on his table were some superb specimens of the golden champa flower. They had been plucked just prior to the opening of the bud and lay there in all their elegant golden beauty. These flowers would soon find there way into the hands of some fortunate person who would string them into a garlands, sell them as individual hair ornaments or offered as single flowers at home altars or in the temple. On the way back to his home, Ramakant showed me a champa tree which he used to climbas a boy so that he could bring his mother flowers to put on the home altar.
Odor of Champa Attar-
There is an area of Andrah Pradesh where the Golden Champa Trees grow naturally and in that region the odor of the flowers is considered to be the very finest. It is in this region that the man who distills for us travels with his portable copper vessels. It is a remote area with difficult access but the slightly cooler region of the inland hills is the perfect climate for Golden Champa-The Flower of Paradise.
Very soft, sweet and radiant aroma. The sweetness is extremely delicate, refined and ethereal. In the domain of more familiar essences it has some of the characteristics of ylang absolute and carnation absolute with just a touch of gardenia in its bouquet yet it is in a world of its own.
THE CHAMPA FLOWER
SUPPOSING I became a champa flower, just for fun, and grew on a branch high up that tree, and shook in the wind
with laughter and danced upon the newly budded leaves, would you know me, mother?
You would call, "Baby, where are you?" and I should laugh to myself and keep quite quiet.
I should slyly open my petals and watch you at your work.
When after your bath, with wet hair spread on your shoulders, you walked through the shadow of the champa tree
to the little court where you say your prayers, you would notice the scent of the flower, but not know that it came from
me.
When after the midday meal you sat at the window reading Ramayana, and the tree's shadow fell over your hair
and your lap, I should fling my wee little shadow on to the page of your book, just where you were reading.
But would you guess that it was the tiny shadow of your little child?
When in the evening you went to the cow-shed with the lighted lamp in your hand, I should suddenly drop on to
the earth again and be your own baby once more, and beg you to tell me a story.
"Where have you been, you naughty child?"
"I won't tell you, mother." That's what you and I would say then.
http://209.11.144.65/eldritchpress/rt/cmoon.htm
In ancient literature
His face smells like fresh butter; his speech is soft; having eyes like lotus petals; he rests on a banyan leaf – Vatapatra; his nose is like that of a fresh Champaka flower; from his form emanates the fragrance of Tulasi and other flowers. He is worshipped by Indra and the lokapalakas. He wears Kasturi tilaka; adorned with garlands of tender tulasi and other flows; He is attended on by Naarada and other sages. He is the protector of the worlds and is the Gopala praised by Guruguha.
http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/Homepages/shivkuma/personal/music/chetashree.htm
In the ecstasy of love, Sri Jiva wandered hypnotically arousing the curiouslity of the other travellers on the road. "Who is this young man?" they wandered. "He must be a prince with a complexion of gold like a champaka flower. What a beautiful face! Just see his attractive wide eyes, nose, eyebrows, forehead, ears and curly hair. See his neck, his chest and his nails and fingers on his lotus like hands! How beautiful are his thighs, knees
and legs."
http://www.geocities.com/visoka123/visoka/nectar/Nectar_1.htm
He then entered that samadhi, and as an offering to the Buddha, he rained down mandarava flowers and mahamandarava flowers from space. Finely ground, hard, black chandana also filled the sky and descended like clouds. And there rained the incense of ‘this shore’ chandana, six karshas of which are worth the entire Saha world, as an offering to the Buddha.
Having made this offering he arose from samadhi. He thought to himself, "Although by means of spiritual powers I have made this offering to the Buddha, it is not as good as offering my body." He then swallowed incense of many kinds chandana, kunduruka, turushka, prikka, aloeswood, and resin incense. He also drank the oil of champaka and other flowers for a full twelve hundred years. He smeared himself with fragrant oil, and in the presence of the Buddha Virtue Pure and Bright Like the Sun and Moon, he wrapped himself in heavenly jeweled robes and poured fragrant oil over himself. Then by means of spiritual penetration power and vows, he burned his own body. The light shone everywhere throughout worlds in number to the grains of sand in eighty kotis of Ganges Rivers.
Within them all, the Buddhas simultaneously praised him, saying, "Good indeed! Good indeed! Good man, this is true vigor. This is called a true Dharma offering to the Thus Come One. Offerings of flowers, incense, beads, burning incense, ground incense, paste incense, heavenly cloth, banners, canopies, ‘this shore’ chandana incense, and all such offerings of various kinds cannot come up to it. If one gave away one’s countries, cities, wives, and children, that also could not match it. Good man, this is called foremost giving. Among all gifts, it is the most honored and most supreme, because it is an offering of Dharma to the Thus Come Ones." Having uttered these words,they became silent.
http://www.buddhistdoor.com/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/lotus23.htm
The earth was full with these Sakas, with a sprinkling of
Yavanas, who appeared brilliant, were extremely valorous,
having the hue of gold, and resembling the middle stalk
of a Champaka flower (21).
http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/mirrors/vv/ba054b.html
Links to Articles on Attar Industry
http://expressindia.com/fe/daily/19970615/16655383.html
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020401/agro.htm
http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970621/17250813.html
http://www.indianvisit.com/unexplored/kannauj.htm
http://www.chandnichowk.com/attar.htm
http://www.ultrainternational.com/centifoliamam.htm
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr07/sh3.htm
http://www.indianembassy.org/US_Media/1999/seeking_soul_delhi_nov_21_99.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/2425/summer.htm