2.6. Finger Ornaments (a): Aṅgulīyaka

Aṅgulīyaka is a ring, usually circular in shape, worn by both men and women. It also adorns the fingers of the images of the deities. Name imprinted types, golden ones, those set with emeralds, jewels etc. were in fashion. It was used as a password of authority and also called by the name Aṅgulīya. The earliest reference is found in Vālmīki-rāmāyaṇa. There an Aṅgulīya with the name of Rāma inscribed on it was handed over by Hanumān to Sītā, who is held captive in Laṅkā. It plays an important role in the story^[1].

In Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa^[2], there is a description of the greatness of Devī, in which the milk ocean presents Aṅgulīyaka to Devī. Later Skandapurāṇa and Agnipurāṇa also attest the use of this type^[3]. Aṅgulīyaka described in Agnipurāṇa is a Mudrāṅgulīyaka^[4]. Pāṇini has used the term Aṅgulīya in Aṣṭādhyāyī^[5].

An example for the name imprinted one is seen in Abhijñānaśākuntala^[6].

Aṅgulīyaka made of gold is mentioned in the popular tale Baudhāyana-śrautasūtra^[7]. In Kuṭṭanīmata, the golden Aṅgulīyaka is referred to as Tapanīyam aṅgulīya^[8].

Kādambarī, Harṣacarita and Daśakumāracarita give references to those with emerald settings^[9].

It is stated as an ornament of Śiva in Sakalādhikāra. A Ratnāṅgulīyaka is also mentioned there^[10].

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

V.31.17

[2]:

79.29

[3]:

Skandapurāṇa, VII.1.23.94

[4]:

111-112

[5]:

IV.3.62

[6]:

IV.12

[7]:

22, 228

[8]:

v.63

[9]:

Kādambarī, Candrāpīḍacarita; Harṣacarita, p.18; Daśakumāracarita, VII

[10]:

p.22