Prabhuji’s Gifts – Devotion – Gokula (Myrrh, Vanilla & Tulasi)

After my interest in Tulsi – or basil in general – incense was piqued last year, this pack became part of my most recent order from the Ephra World Shop.
One pack costs €3.45 and contains ten 8″ (approx. 20.5 cm) sticks weighing about 15 g in total, working out at roughly €0.35 per stick.

Gokula came recommended by u/WeAreZilla, a long‑standing member of the r/Incense community. He has also been who suggested Lalita, and like those, the Gokula sticks are extruded.
I asked him whether his Gokula were hand‑rolled and, in fact, alongside a packet with extruded sticks he still had an older pack marked “hand rolled”, whose sticks show the characteristic irregularities. Back then, Prujabhi’s Gifts traded under the name Ramakrishnanda. Here’s a photo he provided, showing both versions – many thanks for that!
Happily, Gokula don’t seem to have changed much scent‑wise; his old notes match my impressions for the most part.

First of all, I can’t detect any Tulsi (spelled “Tulasi” on the packet), which is a bit disappointing – but the sticks are lovely and very much to my taste, so I can’t really be mad about it.

Gokula give off an enveloping, soft aroma full of balsamic, creamy sweetness. The vanilla is pleasantly round and deep; it doesn’t come across like a cheap cake frosting packed with artificial flavourings.
Myrrh pairs wonderfully with it. I’m pretty sure they’ve used some kind of myrrh extract here because I smell none of the off‑notes that the (so called) resin’s high gum content usually brings – no bitter tones, no ashtray whiff. Instead, there’s a fine, pleasantly tart note, accompanied by a warm woody nuance, all wrapped in a wealth of balsamic smoothness.

Gokula are perfect for cosy hours – true balm for the soul!