Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India

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

This page relates ‘Hand Ornaments (b): Angada’ 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.

2.5. Hand Ornaments (b): Aṅgada

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Aṅgada is also an upper arm ornament, worn below the shoulder above the Keyūra. It was made of gold; some were with the settings of gems, while on others some strings of pearls were attached. Those producing jingling sounds and those which have lion faced endings were prevalent.

We have reference to Aṅgada, worn by men in Vālmīki-rāmāyaṇa^[1]. Matsyapurāṇa and Agnipurāṇa make frequent references to Aṅgada^[2]. Matsyapurāṇa describes it as an ornament of lord Viṣṇu. Aṅgada producing pleasing sound is described at one place^[3].

Bharata recommends it for males of higher rank^[4]. Reference to Kāñcanāṅgada and Pītāṅgada is seen in the dramas of Bhāsa^[5]. The former is made of gold, while the latter is one with settings of yellow sapphire. From the description made by him in Bālacarita, it comes to know that the fashion of hanging some strings from Aṅgada was in practice^[6]. Cāmīkarāṅgada is often described by Kālidāsa also^[7]. A gold made Aṅgada described by Someśvara in Mānasollāsa is a lion faced one, from which pearl strings were hanging down.