( From Brihat Samhita, Chapter 77 - Gandhayukti)
भागैश्चतुर्भिः सितशैलमुस्ताः श्रीसर्जभागौ नखगुग्गुलू च ।
कर्पूरबोधो मधुपिण्डितोऽयं कोपच्छदो नाम नरेन्द्रधूपः ॥ १९१ ॥
Ingredient Proportions (Ratio):
Sita (Sugar/Rock candy):4 parts
Shaila (Shaileya / Stone Flower / Chhabila): 4 parts
Musta (Nut grass / Nagarmotha): 4 parts
Shri (Shrivasaka / Aromatic pine resin): 2 parts
Sarja (Sarja rasa / Sal tree resin): 2 parts
Nakha (Roasted and powdered onycha): 2 parts
Guggulu (Bdellium resin): 2 parts
Method and Nomenclature:
To this mixture, Karpura (Camphor powder) is added as a Bodha (aroma activator/top note), and Madhu (Honey) is used to bind it into a Pinda (paste/ball/stick). This royal incense formulation is named 'Kopachhada'.
"Take four parts each of Sugar, Shaileya (Stone Flower), and Motha; two parts each of Shrivas, Sarja, Nakha, and Guggulu—grind them all together and activate their aroma (Bodha) by blending in Camphor powder. Afterward, mix honey into it to form a solid mass or ball. This formulation is called Kopachhada, an incense fit for kings (Narendra-dhupa)."
सिता शर्करा। = Sita means Sharkara (refined sugar or candy crystals).
शैलेंयं शैलेयकम्। = Shaila refers to Shaileyakas (Chhabila / Stone Flower).
मुस्तः प्रसिद्धः। = Musta (Nagarmotha) is a well-known aromatic herb.
एते चतुर्भिर्भागैर्दातव्याः। = These three ingredients must be added in a quantity of four parts each.
श्रीः, श्रीवासकः। = Shri denotes Shrivasaka (a specific aromatic tree resin).
सर्जः सर्जरसः। = Sarja signifies Sarjarasa (Sal resin/Rala).
अनयोर्द्वौ भागौ देयौ। = These two must be administered in two parts each.
नखं प्रसिद्धम्। = Nakha (the aromatic operculum) is a widely known perfumery substance.
गुग्गुलुः प्रसिद्ध एव। = Guggulu is also a well-known incense resin.
नखगुग्गुलू भागद्वयेनैव दातव्यौ। = Nakha and Guggulu should also be added in two parts each.
कर्पूरिण चास्य बोधः कार्यः। = The Bodha (olfactory activation) of this compound should be executed using Camphor powder.
मधुपिण्डितो माक्षिकेण पिण्डीकृतः। = Madhupindito means binding the mixture together with the help of Makshika (honey) to shape it into a ball or incense stick.
अयं नरेन्द्रधूपो राजधूपः। = This is Narendra-dhupa, meaning a superior incense designated for royal use.
कोपच्छदो नाम कोपच्छद इत्यस्य संज्ञा। = Kopachhada is the definitive classical title or nomenclature of this formulation.
आर्द्रं आर्द्रो यो दीयते स वेधः। = When a wet or liquid substance is introduced into another wet/liquid base, that technical blending process is termed Vedha.
चूर्णिते चूर्णो दीयते स बोधः। = When a fine powder is added to an already powdered base (like adding camphor here), it is termed Bodha.
(As stated by Ishvara—Lord Shiva—in His own text on aromatics and Tantra)
ओल्लंमि ओल्लओ जो दिज्जइ वेह इति सो भणिओ।
वोहो उण जो चुण्णो चुण्णविणि अच्छगन्धो सो ॥ इति ॥१९१॥
Translation:
First Line: "When a wet/moist ingredient (Olla) is blended into another wet substance, that process is declared as Vedha (Veha) in the science of perfumery."
Second Line: "Conversely, Bodha (Voho) is the technique where a powder (Chunno) is incorporated into a powdered base to awaken and unleash an excellent, clear fragrance."
Historical Context
This text provides a rare glimpse into the highly systematized world of Gandhashastra (Ancient Indian Perfumery). Two elements stand out:
The Name 'Kopachhada': Literally translates to "that which covers or subdues anger (Kopa)." This specific blend was intentionally formulated for royal chambers to alleviate stress, soothe frayed nerves, and calm the ruler's mind.
Advanced Olfactory Terminology: The clear distinction between Vedha (wet-blending/fixation) and Bodha (dry-blending/top-note activation) demonstrates that ancient Indian perfumers treated incense making not just as a ritual, but as a precise chemical and aromatic science.
If you execute this recipe precisely following Shiva's rule of Vedha and Bodha, the sensory experience on charcoal is beautifully layered:
The First Wave (The Bodha Effect): The moment the ball touches the hot charcoal, the camphor cracks and vaporizes instantly, filling the room with a sharp, cooling, purifying note, instantly clearing the sinus and altering the room's energy.
The Heart (The Marine & Earthy Transit): Right behind the camphor comes the marine, animalic warmth of Nakha (onycha) paired with the mossy, forest-floor scent of Shaileya (Char chabila) and the spicy-woody depth of Musta. The Nakha, having been dry-blended, acts as a scent multiplier for the moss.
The Base (The Vedha Longevity): Finally, as the powders ash over, the core of the ball—the caramelized honey combined with the deep, balsamic, slow-burning tears of Guggulu, Sal resin, and Shrivasaka—takes over. This emits a thick, rich, sweet, balsamic smoke that lingers in the drapes and wooden beams of a room for hours.
It becomes clear why this specific combination was named "Kopachhada" (The Subduer of Anger). The sharp camphor instantly breaks the train of negative thought, the earthy herbs ground the nervous system, and the heavy, sweet resins settle the mind into a state of deep, meditative calm.
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