Essay name: Brahma Purana (critical study)
Author:
Surabhi H. Trivedi
Affiliation: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda / Department of Sanskrit Pali and Prakrit
This is an English study of the Brahmapurana—one of the eighteen major Puranas which occupies an important place in the Pauranic literature. This study researches the rich an encyclopaedic material for social, religious, philosophical, mythological, political, geographical and literary study found in the Brahma-Purana.
Social and Economic Life
43 (of 75)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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437
Yamadutas are described as wearing Mundamala, having dry and
terrible hair, towny beards and are said to possess "Babhru-
pingalalola' (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?
'can
Growth of Beard:- From stray references it can be
surmised that the style of growing beard was in vogue, though,
the Br. P. does not throw particular light whether people in
general used to grow beard or not. Lord Siva is said to have
haritsmasru (40.61), the Yamadutas to have tawny beards
(214.63-65), Iama to have a big beard (215.47). A vanaprastha
should let grow his hair and beard (222.40). It is said that
a
after the ksaurakarma, one should take a both (221.77,79).
Again, in the list of occupations, a napita or barbar is
mentioned (44.32).
Use of Flowers:-
Flowers constituted the primary
item of decoration.
The Br. P. has numerous references to
The prostitutes (65.17), king
flowers used as HMX ornaments.
Paundraka Vasudeva (207.17,18), Sesa (21.17), Indra (36.9)
and Balarama (198.17) are said to wear garlands.
Lord Siva
(40.67) and Yama (215.49) are said to wear red garlands.
