15. Coiffure (Hair-dressing)

Hair-dressing constitutes one of the important, decorations of man's appearance. considered to be a sign of beauty (41.22). Long hair was The name of a nymph is given as Sukesi (64.62). As regards the hair-style of women, three types are referred to. Once the ladies are described as having sthiralakas, i.e.hair thick in growth (41.21).: Another fashion seems to extend the curl of hair 58 Monier Williams, Op.Cit., P. 1283.

436 upto the ear (44.25). Once a pregnant lady is advised not to loosen her hair at the time of twilight. This shows that 'muktakesa' was not considered to be auspicious for women (124.21). But the 'Maya' of lord Brahma is said to be Muktakesi (134.6). braid The Brahma Purana furnishes many types of hair. styles while describing lord siva. Thus he is called Sikhandin (40.79), Kapardin (39.31), Munda (37.14),(40.12,65), Ardhamunda (37.14), having three Jatas (40.11), having a Jatajuta (74.13). Once he is described as having a golden Hiranyakrtacuda - (40.16), whereas elsewhere he is called nilasikhandin (37.3). Again he is called ardhadandikesah (40.13) 59 His hair are said to be sprinkled with water (40.33). When lord Siva approached Parvati in an ugly form, his coiffure is described as "Lesantapingalah' (35.5). Further he is called 'muktakesah' (40.33) and lord Siva (40.61) and Yama (215.47) are called Urdhvakesal. King Sagara punished the Sakas by tonsuring half their heads, the Yavanas and Kambojas by tonsuring them full, the Paradas were allowed to go with their hair dishevelled and the. Pahlavas were allowed to retain only their beards (8.48,49). The Brahma Purana states that in the Kaliyuga, there would be a general scarcity of gold and jewels and therefore women would depend for decoration on hair (229.16,17). Again, it is laid down that one should comb one's hair in the first hours of the day (221.21). The 59 Missing in mss. 'ka' and ga

437 Yamadutas are described as wearing Mundamala, having dry and terrible hair, towny beards and are said to possess "Babhrupingalalola' (214.63-65). The daityas are said to have long braids Lambasikhah - (213.99). Once it is stated that one should not shake one's hair (221.52). The names of two nymphs Does the are given as Misrakesi and Nilakes (68.62,63). term 'Misrakesi' refer to the use of artificial hair?