Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Neck Ornaments (d): Pearl Necklaces’ 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.
2.4. Neck Ornaments (d): Pearl Necklaces
A number of pearl necklaces are listed in Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra and Bṛhatsaṃhitā. On the basis of the number of strings, each necklace has different names. The table given below describes it[1].
| Name | Number of Strings | |
| Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra | Bṛhatsaṃhitā | |
| Inducchanada or Indracchada | 1008 | 1008 |
| Vijyacchanda | 504 | 504 |
| Devacchanda | 81 | |
| Hāra | 108 | |
| Ardhahāra | 64 | 64 |
| Raśmīkalāpa | 54 | 54 |
| Guccha | 32 | 32 |
| Ardhaguccha | 24 | 20 |
| Māṇavaka | 20 | 16 |
| Ardhamāṇavaka | 10 | 12 |
| Mandara | 8 | |
| Hāraphalaka | 5 | |
| Nakṣatramāla | 27 | 27 |
| Maṇisopānaka | 1 | 1 |
| Cāṭūkara | 1 | |
| Ekāvalī | 1 | 1 |
| Yaṣṭi | 1 | 1 |
| Sopānaka | 1 | 1 |
Of these, Maṇisopānaka is interwoven with pearls and other precious stones or gold beeds. In the centre of’ Cāṭūkara, a Taralaka gem is fixed. Sopānaka has a gold wire attached to it.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Bṛhatsaṃhitā, LXXX.31-34; Kirātārjunīya.II.11