Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India

by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words

This page relates ‘Lower Garments (c): Tarpya (sacrificial garment)’ of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.

2.2. Lower Garments (c): Tārpya (sacrificial garment)

Tārpya was a garment, worn especially on sacrificial occasions. Regarding the exact identity of Tārpya, different opinions exist. According to Baudhāyana-śrautasūtra[1], Tārpya is either the name of a cloth soaked in ghee or the bark of Tripā trees. The text uses the word Tārpya and Valkala in the same sense. Kātyāyana-śrautasūtra[2] also defines the word in three ways, as per which Tārpya is either a linen cloth or a cloth soaked in ghee or that made of yarn of Triparṇa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

XXV.34

[2]:

XV.5.7.10

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