Attar, or natural perfume derived from flowers, herbs, and essential oils, holds great significance in Hinduism for its spiritual, medicinal, and therapeutic benefits. The practice of applying attar has been passed down through generations as part of spiritual and religious rituals. Attar is used in temples, during meditation, and personal worship to uplift the senses, purify the mind, and connect with the divine.
10 Spiritual Benefits of Applying Attar in Hinduism
Purification of the Aura: Attar is believed to cleanse the aura, removing negative energy and attracting positive vibrations. It helps prepare the body and mind for spiritual practices like meditation and prayer.
Enhancing Devotion (Bhakti): The use of attar during worship intensifies the devotee's connection to the divine. The sweet fragrance is an offering to the deities, symbolizing devotion and purity.
Calming the Mind: Certain attars, such as sandalwood or jasmine, have natural calming properties. They help in relieving stress, anxiety, and mental disturbances, which in turn fosters a peaceful state of mind conducive to meditation and spiritual growth.
Aligning the Chakras: Different fragrances resonate with specific chakras. For example, sandalwood is associated with the Ajna (third eye) chakra, enhancing spiritual insight and intuition.
Invoking Divine Blessings: In Hindu rituals, attar is often applied before chanting mantras or performing rituals to invoke the blessings of the deities. The fragrance is seen as a medium through which one can call upon divine energies.
Promoting Sattva (Purity): The use of attar, particularly natural and pure varieties, promotes sattva, the quality of purity, harmony, and balance. This purity extends to the mind, body, and spirit, aiding in spiritual progress.
Balancing the Doshas: In Ayurveda, attars are used to balance the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). By applying the appropriate attar, one can restore physical and spiritual balance, leading to holistic well-being.
Creating a Sacred Atmosphere: Attars are used to sanctify the surroundings during religious ceremonies and rituals. The fragrance spreads positivity and holiness, transforming the environment into a sacred space.
Enhancing Pranayama and Meditation: The calming properties of attar help enhance breathing practices (pranayama) and meditation. The mind becomes focused, and deep relaxation is achieved, allowing one to reach higher states of consciousness.
Symbolizing the Offering of Self: Just as attar is offered to the deities, applying it symbolizes offering oneself to the divine with a pure heart and mind. The fragrance is seen as a reminder of spiritual dedication and selflessness.
Practical Day-to-Day Solutions for Using Attar
During Morning Prayer: Apply a small amount of sandalwood or rose attar on your forehead before starting your daily prayers to enhance concentration and devotion.
Meditation Aid: Use jasmine or lavender attar while meditating to calm the mind and deepen your focus.
Energy Cleansing: Dab some attar on your wrists and neck to cleanse your energy field after returning home from crowded places to remove any negative energy.
Balancing Emotions: When feeling overwhelmed or anxious, rub a bit of calming attar like vetiver or sandalwood on your palms and inhale deeply to restore emotional balance.
Before Yoga Practice: Applying attar before yoga helps create a peaceful and spiritually charged atmosphere, helping you stay grounded and connected to your practice.
Importance of Attar in Hinduism
Attar is not merely a fragrance but is considered a divine offering and a tool for spiritual upliftment. In temples, attar is often applied to idols as part of the daily ritual of worship. It is also used during aarti (ritual of worship with fire) to elevate the spiritual atmosphere. Attar symbolizes the devotee’s devotion and pure intent. Applying attar is considered a sacred act, aligning the individual with the divine presence.
Medicinal Uses of Attar
Sandalwood: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it soothes skin irritation and helps with conditions like acne and rashes.
Rose: Rose attar is used to calm the mind and reduce stress. It also has anti-aging and skin-moisturizing properties.
Jasmine: Jasmine attar is known for its antidepressant and antiseptic properties. It boosts mood and helps in treating skin issues.
Vetiver (Khus): Vetiver attar is cooling in nature and helps reduce excessive body heat. It is also useful in treating insomnia and enhancing relaxation.
Lavender: Lavender attar has analgesic properties, which helps reduce pain and inflammation, and is also beneficial for treating anxiety and depression.
Lesser-Known Facts About Attar
Eco-Friendly and Natural: Traditional attars are made through a steam-distillation process, making them eco-friendly and free from synthetic chemicals, unlike modern perfumes.
Historical Use in Royalty: In ancient India, attars were popular among kings and queens, not just for their fragrance but for their therapeutic benefits. They were considered luxurious yet essential in daily rituals.
Spiritual Hygiene: In Hinduism, maintaining spiritual hygiene is essential. Attar plays a key role in this as its fragrance helps repel negative energies.
Attar in Vedic Rituals: Attar is often mixed with oils and used in traditional Vedic rituals to purify objects, spaces, and participants.
Mantra to Chant While Applying Attar
While applying attar, you can chant the following mantra to invoke divine blessings and enhance the spiritual vibrations:
Mantra: "Om Gandhadvārāṁ Duraadharṣhāṁ Nityapuṣhṭāṁ Karīṣiṇīm Īśhwarīṁ Sarvabhūtānāṁ Tām Ihopahvaye Śhrīyam"
Meaning: "I invoke the goddess of fragrance, who is invincible and always grants prosperity and well-being. I pray to her, who is the essence of all beings, to bestow upon me abundance and purity."
This mantra is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity, purity, and well-being, enhancing the spiritual benefit of applying attar.
Attar, with its deep-rooted connection to Hindu spiritual practices, serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Its use is not only a sensory experience but also a spiritual one, as it helps cleanse the mind, purify the soul, and connect with the divine. By incorporating attar into daily practices like meditation, prayer, and rituals, one can foster spiritual growth, maintain emotional balance, and cultivate an atmosphere of peace and positivity.