Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Materials (r): Various other Precious Gems’ 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
1.2. Materials (r): Various other Precious Gems
In addition to the above mentioned precious gems, some others referred to in our literature are—(1) Budabada[1], (2) Sindūra[2], (3) Taraṅga[3], (4) Garuḍa[4], (5) Caṭulatilaka[5], (6) Kaustubha[6], (7) Sasyaka[7], (8) Śirīṣapuṣpaka[8], (9) Vaṃśarāga[9], (10) Citragrāvan[10], (11) Maṇi[11], (12) Haritāla[12], (13) Kādamba[13], (14) Gandhapāṣāṇa[14], (15) Vimalaka[15], (16) Rājamaṇi[16], (17) Saugandhika[17], (18) Gomedaka[18], (19) Brahmamaṇi[19], (20) Jyotīrasa[20], (21) Ratna[21], (22) Bhallāṭaka[22], (23) Gajja[23], (24) Dhūlī[24], (25) Tutthaka[25], (26) Sisa[26], (27) Pīlu[27], Bhujaṅgamaṇi[28], (28) Maṇika[29] and (29) Panna[30].
Of these, Maṇika and Panna are synonyms of ruby and emerald respectively and are referred to by Bāṇa[31]. From the name it can be inferred that Sinduūra looks like vermilion in colour. The shape, size or colour of Caṭulatilaka is not specified by Bāṇa[32]. But it can be inferred that it is a gem, decorating the forehead. Kausthubha is the famous among the ornaments worn by lord Kṛṣṇa[33]. But more details about its colour or shape are not available.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Ibid, p.68
[3]:
Ibid, p.124
[4]:
Harṣacarita, p.43
[5]:
Ibid, p.29
[6]:
Śiśupālavadha, 3.9,19.83; Kādambarī, p.207
[7]:
DAOAI, p.146
[8]:
Avantisundarīkathā, p.61, 98, 140, 177
[9]:
Ibid
[10]:
Ibid, V.49; Daśakumāracarita, p.156
[11]:
Saundarananda, III.25
[12]:
Daśakumāracarita, p.156; Avantisundarīkathā, pp.30,132
[13]:
Avantisundarīkathā, p.61, 98, 140, 177
[14]:
Daśakumāracarita, p.156,181; Avantisundarīkathā, pp.30, 132, 56, 99, 144, 86, 92
[15]:
EPB, p.616
[16]:
Ibid
[17]:
DAOAI, p.146
[18]:
EPB, p.616
[19]:
Ibid
[20]:
DAOAI, p.146
[21]:
EPB, p.616
[22]:
Ibid
[23]:
Ibid
[24]:
Ibid
[25]:
Ibid
[26]:
Ibid
[27]:
Ibid
[28]:
Ibid
[29]:
Ibid
[30]:
Ibid
[31]:
Harṣacarita, p.23; Kādambarī, p.30
[32]:
Ibid, p.24
[33]:
Śiśupālavadha, 3.9,19.83