Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates 鈥楿se of Cosmetics, Perfumes, Incense, etc.鈥� of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Use of Cosmetics, Perfumes, Incense, etc.
From the ancient times people used various types of cosmetics which can make them more beautiful. In the 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, it is noticed that to look more beautiful and attractive the white flowers are specially used as cosmetics.[1] Also the ocean gave a garland of unfaded lotuses to the 诲别惫墨, one for her head and the other for her breasts.[2] King 贬补谤颈艣肠补苍诲谤补 also decked with heavenly garlands.[3] Also lord Dattatreya鈥檚 wife 尝补办峁墨 was embellished with divine garlands.[4] It is also mentioned that the demon Vidyudrupa decorated himself with hair candana i.e. yellow sandal.[5] Applying oil to the body was prohibited after taking a bath. Also a person applies unguents before bathing.[6] In the 叠丑腻惫补迟补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 it was found that, some women were holding a sportive lotus on their hands.[7] Such types of uses are noticed in the 惭别驳丑补诲奴迟补[8] and 碍耻尘腻谤补蝉补峁僢丑补惫补尘 [碍耻尘腻谤补蝉补峁僢丑补惫补][9] of K膩lidasa. In the 惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, it is noticed that 顿谤补耻辫补诲墨 was expert in using cosmetics, weaving garlands and dressing hair also.[10] The 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺 also mentions the power of spells and medicinal harbs used as cosmetic on the feet which gives a person power to trevel thousands of yojanas within half a day.[11]
In ancient times, perfumes were used for beauty purposes and rituals and incense was generally used in ritual ceremonies. In the 惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, perfumes, incense were specially used for the purpose of 艣谤补诲诲丑补 ritual, worshiping gods, 辫颈迟峁泂 etc.[12] For example, king k膩rtavirya worshipped Dattatreya with the sandal, garland, perfumes, water, fruits etc.[13] In the chapter of Sun-worship the people used Incense, perfumes, unguents, flowers etc.[14] Prajapati also did 辫颈迟峁� worship with Incense, perfumes, anulepana[15], flowers etc. It is also mentioned that stealing of auspicious perfumes is considered to be a sinful act and after release from hell he gets birth as a mole (chucchundar).[16]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 31.89
[2]:
Ibid., 79.28
[3]:
Ibid., 8.253
[4]:
divyam膩ly膩mbaradhara岣� / Ibid., 16.111 b
[5]:
Ibid., 2.16
[6]:
Ibid., 31.37, 54
[7]:
...... kva 辫补诲尘补办辞艣补岣� 辫补迟颈迟补岣� kar膩gr膩t // 叠丑腻惫补迟补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 4.25.28
[8]:
惭别驳丑补诲奴迟补, uttaramegha. 2
[9]:
碍耻尘腻谤补蝉补峁僢丑补惫补峁�, 6.84
[10]:
惭补丑腻产丑腻谤补迟补, vir膩taparva, 8.16
[11]:
惭腻谤办补峁囜笉别测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 58.12
[12]:
Ibid., 28.43,57
[13]:
Ibid., 17.2
[14]:
Ibid., 106.60-61
[15]:
Ibid., 93.22, 31-37; 34.15
[16]:
Ibid., 15.30