Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Hand Ornaments (a): Keyura’ 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 (a): Keyūra
Keyūra is worn on the upper arm, below the shoulder by men and women. Gold, emerald, sapphire, jewel, pearls and ruby were employed in its making. They were decoratively designed also.
Evidence for wearing Keyūra by both the sexes is found in Vālmīki-rāmāyaṇa[1].
Among Purāṇas, Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, Matsyapurāṇa, Skandapurāṇa, Vāmanapurāṇa and Amarakośa incidentally refer to this ornament[2]. In Matsyapurāṇa, Viṣṇu is described as wearing Keyūra. There is another context, where Keyūra of gold with settings of jewels are referred to325.
Kālidāsa frequently refers to Mayūrakeyūra, one with the pattern of a peacock head. Aśvaghoṣa also refers to it in his works[3].
Examples for Keyūra with emerald or sapphire settings are seen in Kādambarī[4]. Mānasollāsa describes Keyūra with pearl settings[5].
Mahābhāṣya, dramas of Bhāsa, Amarakośa, Bṛhatsaṃhitā, Harṣacarita, Śiśupālavadha, Rāmacarita and Kumārapālacarita contain references to different kinds of Keyūra[6].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
V.3.9
[2]:
Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, 21.100, 79.25; Vāmanapurāṇa, 21.7; Skandapurāṇa, III.1.47, 63
[3]:
Raghuvaṃśa, I.1,VI.88, 7.50, 16.56; Kumārasambhava, VII.69
[4]:
Kādambarī
[5]:
II.1077-78
[6]:
Bṛhatsaṃhitā, XLII; Amarakośa, 2.6.107; Ūrubhaṅga, I.51; Pratijñāyaugandharāyaṇa, II.2; Mahābhāṣya, 1.11,7,1.5; Rāmacarita, XI.92.6; Kumārapālacarita, I.76