Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Dress Making: Washing’ 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.
3.6. Dress Making: Washing
Different techniques were known to the society of washer man for washing different types of clothes. It is in Vedas that we meet with the earliest reference to washing. Purāṇas and Smṛtis also provide us with the knowledge of different modes adopted in washing different clothes.
In Ṛgveda[1] we come across the description of god Puṣā washing wool. Gṛhyasūtras[2] also furnish us with the knowledge of washing.
In Manusmṛti[3], we read of the society of washer man. Manusmṛti[4] gives an account of the different modes by which different clothes were purified. Thus for cleaning silk and wool fabrics, alkaline earth was generally used, while for cleaning Aṃśupaṭṭas, bel fruit was employed. Blankets were washed with Ariṣṭa fruit (Neem). For linen clothes, paste of white mustard was the cleansing agent. Tibetan shawls were purified by means of Sapiṇḍa fruit.
Purāṇas also allude to the different modes of washing, of which, some are same as that mentioned by Manu. For cleaning wool clothes, Agnipurāṇa[5] doesn’t suggest alkaline earth. There it is stated that wool clothes can be purified by sprinkling water, which is perfumed with flowers and fruits. Regarding the washing of cotton Vāmanapurāṇa[6] states that it can be cleaned by ‘water from outside’. By the term ‘water from outside’ what is meant is not clear. In Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa[7], cotton clothes are suggested to wash by means of water and ash.
There it is mentioned that water should be sprinkled on them to cleanse the antelope skins. For cleaning wool, Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa[8] recommends sediment of the white mustard or of sesamum seed. But Purāṇas do not permit the use of alkaline earth in washing. For, as per one belief recorded in Brahmavaivartapurāṇa[9] one who washes clothes using soda will be punished by throwing into the well of salt water after death. However in the later period, we come across the use of caustic soda. In Saundarananda[10], we read of clothes washing with Kṣāra (Soda). Water and clay were used for washing bark garments. It is mentioned in Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa as well as in Vāmanapurāṇa[11]. Damaged clothes were washed only in water.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
RHAI, p.31
[2]:
IVK
[3]:
IV.216
[4]:
5.120,11.169
[5]:
Indian Culture (IC), p.201
[6]:
14.63
[7]:
32.12
[8]:
32.11
[9]:
30.6
[10]:
X.42
[11]:
14.61