2025.11.05 2025.11.14

VIRULHAKA RAJA (Siam 1928)

Perfume Geek K

VIRULHAKA RAJA

SIAM 1928

ANUNSITH WONGKORNVANICH

2025

THAILAND

Copper Sulfur Lovage Roots Elemi

Oud Red Cotton Flower Choya Raal

Labdanum Castoreum Peru Balsam Cloves

CONCEPT

Virulhaka is one of the Four Heavenly Kings in Buddhist cosmology. He is the guardian of the South and the ruler of the underworld. His name means “He Who Causes Growth,” yet his role encompasses more than just fertility and life. In Buddhist belief and across Southeast Asian traditions, Virulhaka governs the ogres known as kumbhandas and oversees the realms of hell, not as places of eternal torment but as spaces for karmic purification.

Though connected to punishment, Virulhaka is not a deity of cruelty. He represents the order of the universe. His sword does not strike from emotion but serves to uphold the law of karma. In Thai tradition, he is viewed as a stern yet compassionate protector, guarding both the natural world and the moral order with firm resolve.

He stands at the threshold between the human world and the lower realms, a reminder that true growth often begins in darkness. His presence symbolizes justice that is strict yet purposeful, leading ultimately toward balance and renewal.

The scent begins with a smoldering metallic note of copper and sulfur, reminiscent of flames guarding the gates of the underworld. This is layered with the green spiciness of lovage roots and the clear brightness of elemi, like the trembling sound of a celestial blade.

As the fragrance moves into its heart, oud reveals its deep and forceful presence, joined by the shadowed sweetness of red cotton flower, a bloom of sin that feels both dry and alluring. Choya raal adds a smoky, ritualistic depth that recalls sacred rites of purification.

The base rests on labdanum and castoreum, blending elegance with untamed rawness. Peru balsam brings a smooth warmth, while clove adds intensity, like a scent that hovers over the field of karma.

This is not a fragrance of comfort. It is a call to consciousness, a tribute to the guardian who stands firm between the human world and the realm below, protecting the boundary with unwavering resolve.

Siam 1928 Official Website: https://siam1928.com/product/siam1928-virulhaka-raja-porcelain-bottle-limited-quantity-copy/

THOUGHTS

In the sacred cosmology of Thai Buddhism, Virulhaka stands as one of the four celestial kings — ruler of mighty spirits and commander of the fearsome army Kuanda. Known as the King of the Southern Realm, his name signifies prosperity and flourishing growth, forever tied to the lush abundance of the southern lands where nature thrives under his watchful gaze.

Virulhaka Raja captures this duality — the discipline of a divine warrior and the fertile energy of creation.

The fragrance opens with a piercing metallic radiance, a striking fusion of copper and sulfur that gleams like the armor of an immortal general. A haze of smoke and gunpowder soon follows, rising like sacred incense offered to a deity of fire and power. It is bold, commanding, and unapologetically regal — a scent that speaks of divine strength tempered by spiritual stillness.

As the composition evolves, the gunpowder’s intensity gradually subsides, revealing a dry, woody heart that evokes the meditative stillness of temple halls. Those who have wandered through Buddhist sanctuaries — whether in Thailand or elsewhere — may recognize the tranquil, spiritual air: the faint fragrance of aged timber, curling smoke, and the warmth of devotion lingering in silence. The woods here are dry rather than sweet, possessing a solemn dignity that fills the space between incense and earth.

In its base, Virulhaka Raja remains unwavering — its powerful core continues to resonate like a distant chant. The smoky, resinous notes burn with quiet persistence, smoldering until the final trace of ash. The projection is assertive, and its longevity impressive, lingering gracefully for six hours or more on the skin, leaving behind a trail of mystic grandeur.

Virulhaka Raja is not a fragrance for the faint of heart. Its presence is majestic, intense, and uncompromising — a creation of raw power refined through ritual and reverence. This is a scent that commands respect, that transforms the air around you into something sacred and untamed.

It is a perfume for those who seek more than beauty — for those drawn to the divine drama between fire and silence, power and peace. Sampling is highly recommended, for Virulhaka Raja is not merely worn — it chooses its wearer, revealing its true nature only to those who can bear its spiritual fire.