Significance of Disguise

Disguise has different interpretations across various texts. In Natyashastra, it involves adopting a different role in performance, necessitating changes in gait and demeanor. Dharmashastra describes it as costumes used by spies to conceal their identities during missions. Meanwhile, in Theravada, disguise refers to the merchant's daughter's methods to hide her identity while pursuing the hunchback, as well as King Brahmadatta's strategy to travel incognito through his kingdom to identify his faults.1
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Synonyms: Concealment, Deception, Camouflage, Masquerade, Cover-up, Pretense, Facade, Mask, Illusion, Cloak, Subterfuge

In Dutch: Vermomming; In Finnish: Naamioitua; In Spanish: Ocultar; In German: Verkleidung

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Disguise'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Disguise" symbolizes strategies for self-awareness and understanding others. King Brahmadatta's incognito travel seeks introspection, while the merchant's daughter's concealment reflects the complexities of identity in pursuit of genuine connection.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The lionskin worn by the donkey, which was not enough to conceal its true nature.[1] (2) The method King Brahmadatta used to travel through his kingdom unnoticed, seeking to learn about his faults.[2] (3) The method employed by the merchant's daughter to conceal her identity as she pursues the hunchback.[3]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Hindu concept of 'Disguise'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Disguise" signifies both the physical costumes used by spies to conceal identities and the transformative act of adopting different roles in performances, necessitating changes in gait and demeanor.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Costumes or appearances adopted by spies to hide their identities while carrying out their missions.[4]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy):
Natyashastra Books

From: Natyashastra (English)

(1) The act of adopting a different role in performance, requiring alterations in Gait and demeanor.[5]

Natyashastra refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) A concealment of one's true identity through various means of alteration.[6]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) A tactic employed by Yaugandharayana and later Lohajangha to navigate challenges and deceive others.[7]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Plural form: Disguises.