Preparing Chandan for Srila Prabhupada...

Partha Sarathi Das Goswami: In this photo, you can see me applying chandan to Srila Prabhupada's forehead. I was twenty-two years old. Every morning, I would prepare it by grinding together sandalwood, saffron, camphor, and rose water. I had to ensure that it was not too runny as it would have run down into Srila Prabhupada's eyebrows. On the other hand, if it was too dry, it would not stick.

I used to remix chandan with a little water before applying it to Srila Prabhupada's forehead. Sometimes I would prepare the chandan in the afternoons but it was my service to offer it to him. I would first offer him a flower garland, then apply the chandan, and finally serve him charanamrta, which I used to also make. Sometimes it was from the day before because I didn't have enough time to bathe the Deities every morning. Sometimes I would bathe them in the afternoon.

It was my good fortune to be able to offer this service to Srila Prabhupada.