Did you know that 'Kasturi ' or 'Deer Musk', is the well known perfumery product of animal origin, obtained from the dried gland of the male musk deer, and also used as 'Kasturi Tilakam', a mark of vertical line on the forehead of an image of a deity, or by devotees?

Kasturi, known in Sanskrit as 'Kasturika', is 'Deer Musk' perfume gained from the navel extracted from the caudal glands of the male musk deer (Moschus moschifeus). There are seven musk producing species that make up Moschus of genus of the family Moschidae. out of which six species are listed as Endangered. White bellied musk deer occurs in the Himalayas from Afghanistan, Pakistan to China, and of these Kashmiri Musk deer in Himalayas is one of the most endangered species in the region. The Highest quality of musk is Tonkin musk from Vietnam, followed by Assam and Nepal musk, while Carbadine musk from Russian and Chinese Himalayan regions are considered inferior. Kasturi Musk of India is most famous because of its persistent sweet odor.

The six endangered species of musk deer are: Moschus berezovskii (Chinese forest musk deer); Moschus chrysogaster (Alpine musk deer); Moschus cupreus (Kashmir musk deer); 

Moschus fuscus (black musk deer or dusky musk deer); Moschus leucogaster (Himalayan musk deer or white-bellied musk deer); and Moschus moschiferus (Siberian musk deer). The Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) is a small animal with vampire-like fangs – still lives in the eastern forests of Afghanistan and has been located recently after 60 years.

Musk deer bound with amazing agility over the steepest ground, and are wonderfully sure-footed over the most rocky hills.

The animals are 0.8 to 1 m long and weigh between 7 and 17 kg. They rut in winter, produces one or two young, which are driven off in about six weeks’ time by the mother to shift for themselves. The male’s distinct saber-like tusks are used during the rutting season to compete with other males. They are commonly hunted for their musk glands but also for meat.

To obtain deer musk, the deer is killed by most ‘musk-gatherers’, though it could be extracted from live deer. Its gland, also called “musk pod”, is removed from its rectal area(Navel). Indiscriminate harvesting of musk pods has resulted in its becoming an endangered species, highly vulnerable.  

According to Encyclopedia Britannica, "a grain of musk will distinctly scent millions of cubic feet of air without any appreciable loss of weight, and its scent is not only more penetrating but also more persistent than that of any other known substance". In addition to its odoriferous principle, it contains ammonia, cholesterol, fatty matter, a bitter resinous substance, and other animal principles. The musk is thus highly valued for its cosmetic and purported pharmaceutical properties, and can fetch US$45,000 per kg on the international market.

The scent glands or "pods" of the male musk deer are used in many traditional East Asian medicines to treat a variety of ailments relating to the heart, nerves and breathing. Musk is also used in non-medicinal products such as cosmetics, personal hygiene products, shampoos and detergents. 

Kasturi has great spirituality as it is widely used in many Sri Vaishnava temples to decorate the deity as Kasturi Tilakam, a mark of vertical line on the forehead of an image of a deity, or even by devotees. In the Tirumala Temple, the maim idol of Lord Vekateshwara's forehead is adorned with two lines of white tiruman (Urdhvapundra) made of Pachakarpuram with the central line drawn with Kasturi called 'Kasturi Tilakam' (not by red or yellow ochre). This application of the ‘ karpura namam‘ as a combination of ‘Y’ and ‘U’ shapes is a skillful operation to assuage the feelings of the two dominant Sri Vaishnavite sects of Thengalai and Vadagalai respectively.  

In a string of Bhakthi (devotion) laden poems offered at the sacred feet of the Lord, the hymn in particular that begins with the words 'Kasturi Tilakam' reads as under. 

Sanskrit version: कस्तूरीतिलकं ललाटपटले वक्षःस्थले कौस्तुभं

नासाग्रे नवमौक्तिकं करतले वेणुं करे कङ्कणम् ।

सर्वाङ्गे हरिचन्दनं सुललितं कण्ठे च मुक्तावलिं

गोपस्त्री परिवेष्टितो विजयते गोपाल चूडामणिः ॥

IAST version in English: Kasturi Tilakam Lalat Patale Vakshah Sthale Kaustubham

Nasagre Varmauktikam Karatale Venu Kare Kankanam

Sarvange Hari Chandanam Sulalitam Kanthe Cha Muktavali

Gopastree Parveshtito Vijayate Gopala Choodamani.

Meaning: The Kasturi (Musk) Tilak, a ritual mark decorates your forehead and the Kaustubha jewel ornaments your chest. The Nava mouktika, a pearl ornament on your nose, your fingertips graced by a flute, while your wrist is ornamented with a bracelet. O Sri Hari! Your entire body is bedecked with fragrant sandalwood paste, your neck has a beautiful garland. You gave Mukti (salvation) to the Gopis (lady-cowherds) who followed you. Victory be to that Lord who proved to be the choodamani (crest jewel – singular ornament of all ornaments) for even a commoner like a cowherd.

Narasipur Char