2.1. Upper Garments (h): Vārabāṇa (armour)

Literally the word Vārabāṇa means armour. But it was not only a dress of soldiers. Royals and aristocrats also wore Vārabāṇa. Sun god is described in many places as attired in golden Vārabāṇa^[1]. A special kind of fabric called Sthavaraka was employed for making Vārabāṇa. Amarakośa^[2] mentions Vārabāṇa and Kañcuka as synonymous words. Kings usually wore gorgeous Vārabāṇa on ceremonial occasions. In Mudrārākṣasa^[3], we come across Vairocaka attired in a costly Vārabāṇa during his coronation ceremony. It is described as embroidered with designs and studded with pearls and precious gems. In Harṣacarita^[4] also we often meet with such gorgeous coats. Even though it was popular among men, women also wore Vārabāṇa. But women’s Vārabāṇa was not a coat like garment. In Kuṭṭanīmata^[5] this term is used in the sense of a breast cloth.