Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Hand Ornaments (d): Kataka’ 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 (d): Kaṭaka
Kaṭaka is a simple ring type wrist ornament. Usually it is of gold, in some cases with settings of gems like emerald, ruby and diamond. Silver and iron also were used in its making.
In Mṛcchakaṭika there is a context, which describes milk-ocean presenting a Kaṭaka to Devī[1]. Matsyapurāṇa gives description of some demons wearing Kaṭaka made of gold, silver, iron and also with gem settings. Kaṭaka with the motif of crocodile namely Kaṭakamakara is described at one place[2]. Kaṭaka of gold is known by different names. Bāṇa uses the term Hāṭakakaṭaka[3], while Harṣa calls it by the name Śuddhasuvarṇakaṭaka[4]. Hemakaṭaka is mentioned in Kuṭṭanīmata[5].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, 79.25
[2]:
Matsyapurāṇa, 136.29
[3]:
ICCO, p.162
[4]:
DAOAI, p.204, 205
[5]:
p.100