Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Ornaments for Animals’ 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.
5. Ornaments for Animals
There are plenty of references to animals, royal as well as domestic, decked with ornaments in our literature. In Buddhacarita and in Naiṣadhīyacarita royal elephants, horses and carriages are described adorned with varieties of gold ornaments[1]. In Ṛgveda, a horse is mentioned decked with pearls and hence called by the name Kṛśnavanta[2]. In another context, Savitṛ’s car is referred to as adorned with pearls[3]. In Matsyapurāṇa a girdle for elephant–Hemakakṣa is described[4]. Bāṇa recommends Nakṣatramālā for elephants[5].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Buddhacarita, V.72; Naiṣadhīyacarita, VIII.3, V.3
[2]:
I.126.4
[3]:
I.35.4
[4]:
Cultural History from Matsyapurāṇa, p. 248
[5]:
Harṣacarita, p.43