2.8. Leg Ornaments (a): Nūpura

Nūpura is a female ornament in different patterns like coils, rings and chain of circles. Gold and precious stones were employed in its making. Sometimes they were of flower stalks. Some Nūpura produces jingling or murmuring sound.

In Vālmīki-rāmāyaṇa, there are some words of Lakṣmaṇa, who was unable to identify the ornaments of Sītā, which includes Nūpura also. The verse is as follows.

[...].^[1]

The text also records Nūpura made of gold and those making pleasing sound. Some Nūpura in that period were coil shaped, while others were of simple chain type^[2].

In Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa Apsaras are described as wearing Nūpura. There in another place, a description of Devī receiving a Nūpura as a gift from the milk ocean is seen. Matsyapurāṇa attests Nūpura with murmuring sound^[3].

In Nāṭyaśāstra description is seen regarding Maṇinūpura (Bejewelled  ones)^[4].

Nūpura studded with ruby and emerald and made of lotus stalks are referred to in Kādambarī^[5].

Nūpura with the above mentioned peculiarities are subject of reference in Agnipurāṇa, Skandapurāṇa, Vāmanapurāṇa, Bṛhatsaṃhitā, Daridracārudatta, Kuṭṭanīmata, Kāvyamīmāṃsā^[6] and works of Kālidāsa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

6.22

[2]:

III.58.27,V.5.141

[3]:

10.94,79.26

[4]:

XXI.22-42

[5]:

Kādambarī, p.116,192

[6]:

Agnipurāṇa, 112-116; Skandapurāṇa, 1.50.54; Vāmanapurāṇa, Bṛhatsaṃhitā, XLVII.14, LXXVII.1-3; Kuṭṭanīmata, v.902; Kāvyamīmāṃsā, p.17; Raghuvaṃśa, 8.63, 13.23, Ṛtusaṃhāra, 1.5, III.25; Kumārasambhava, 1.34, Vikramorvaśīya, III.15