The Garb of a Hari Daasa

Attire, accessories and markings

Hari Daasas were householders and hence wore a white panche with “kachche”. The kachche refers to the folds of the garment pleated at the front and tucked in at the back at the waist. Sanyaasis wear saffron panche without kachche. Those who were wearing a “janivara/ yagnyopaveetha” (sacred thread) prior to becoming a Daasa continued to do so, unlike sanyaasis who discard the thread.

Most Hari Daasas are depicted as wearing a flowing cloth folded atop the head as a turban. This cloth usually coloured orange or red might have protected the head from heat when the Daasa wandered on the streets, singing praises of Hari. At a spiritual level, it could be seen as a protective gear to conserve the energy emanated from the ‘crown chakra’, (the seventh chakra, called the sahasraara chakra, situated at the top of one’s head and said to be representative of spiritual wisdom and awakening).

The daasas anointed their foreheads with urdhva-pundra (vertical line) with the black of the coal used to offer dhoopa-arathi (dhoopa-shesha/remains of the dhoopa) to the Lord.

Madhwa seals (mudre) of mace, lotus, discus, conch and Naarayana, dipped in Gopichandana, were stamped on various parts of the upper body (corresponding to the chakras within the body). The vertical marks, typical of the Madhwa community, represent the upward movement of energy from base desires toward spiritual awakening.

The Daasas wore necklaces of Tulasi beads strung with cotton thread. Vishnu is partial to Tulasi leaves and hence the wood of the holy Tulasi plant is used to adorn the neck/ wrist of a Vaishnava. (People who want to proclaim their leaning toward Shiva wear Rudraksha beads).

The feet were adorned with gejje. This was similar to the band of cloth strung with small bells, like the ones used by Bharathanatya dancers and not the delicate silver anklets worn by women. They moved around barefoot. Footwear, if any, was a paduke, a wooden block in the shape of the foot, with a wooden knob for the big toe to grip.

The Daasas carried a tamburi in one hand, constantly strumming on the strings, and a pair of wooden hand cymbals in the other hand.

On their shoulder slung a vessel, encased in cloth, called GopaLabutti. This was the vessel in which alms were dropped when the Daasa was lost in music and devotion.

The divine sage Narada is also depicted in a similar way, except for the flowing cloth from atop the head and the GopaLabutti.

Kanaka Daasa is depicted a little differently, with a woollen shawl draped on his shoulder, a shorter panche, and does not cover his head and carries an ektaara instead of a tamburi.