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Mirror was not only an article of toilet, but it was necessary for all ceremonial occasions. The earliest mention of a mirror is perhaps in 骋峁沨测补蝉奴迟谤补蝉. Usually mirrors were circular in shape and were probably made of highly polished metals. We have no reference to the use of glass made mirrors. However mirrors of aristocrats were ornamented. They had golden frame and sometimes it was studded with jewels. Mirrors were made as gift also. We have plenty of references to mirrors and their use in our literature.

As mentioned earlier, 骋峁沨测补蝉奴迟谤补蝉 mention mirrors frequently in connection with various rituals. 碍腻迟测腻测补苍补-驳峁沨测补蝉奴迟谤补^[1] suggests mirror as the object, which a child has to be seen at first. In 艢膩峁卥h膩yana-驳峁沨测补蝉奴迟谤补^[2], it is recorded that at the marriage ceremony, a mirror is to be placed in the left hand of the bride by the bridegroom. 惭补迟蝉测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺^[3] suggests that the main pillars of palace should be set with mirrors. There in another context we read of the seven oceans served as mirror for 艢颈惫补, during the dressing on his wedding day^[4]. In 厂办补苍诲补辫耻谤腻峁嘺^[5], we meet with the mirror studded poles and banners for Indramaha, a festival conducted in honour of Indra. The text recommends a seat decorated with mirror for the reciter of 笔耻谤腻峁嘺蝉^[6]. There in another context it is told that giving mirrors as offerings to 艢颈惫补 or as gift to the followers of 艢补颈惫颈蝉尘 is auspicious and is considered that he will be reborn as an attendant of 艢颈惫补^[7]. It is believed that one鈥檚 reflection in the mirror is the soul itself and hence presenting mirror to 艢颈惫补 is a symbol of the protection of soul from death^[8].

In another place seven sages are described as looking on a mirror to see 艢颈惫补 on the occasion of his marriage; for people were not permitted to see the bridegroom directly just after the marriage. Hence a mirror was employed to see him for the first time after the wedding^[9]. In 搁补驳丑耻惫补峁兣沘^[10] 碍腻濒颈诲腻蝉补 refers to a mirror of gold. In the seventh sarga of 碍耻尘腻谤补蝉补尘产丑补惫补^[11], we meet with 笔腻谤惫补迟墨 well dressed for the marriage ceremony holding a mirror on her left hand. 碍腻濒颈诲腻蝉补 compares the ill fame fall on the noble 厂奴谤测补 dynasty, to a stain formed on the mirror by watery vapour^[12]. This simile of 碍腻濒颈诲腻蝉补 gives indication to the well polished mirrors that were in vogue in those days. In 叠峁沨补迟蝉补峁僪颈迟腻^[13], 痴补谤腻丑补尘颈丑颈谤补 also alludes to a mirror, which spreads light into a dark room. This also attests the use of brighten mirrors by our ancestors. 顿补峁囜笉颈^[14] and 础艣惫补驳丑辞峁�a^[15] allude to mirrors with jewelled frames.

搁腻箩补惫补濒濒补产丑补-苍颈驳丑补峁囜弓耻 describes the merits of looking on a mirror thus鈥�

[...],^[16]

As per this verse, looking on a mirror is good for longevity. It provides wealth and dispels one鈥檚 sin. According to some beliefs recorded in 叠峁沨补迟蝉补峁僪颈迟腻^[17], looking on a mirror in the morning and also at the end of a journey is auspicious. But it is considered inauspicious to look into a dirty mirror.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

38.1-5

[2]:

I.12.7, 6.9

[3]:

18.31

[4]:

惭补迟蝉测补辫耻谤腻峁嘺, 154.447

[5]:

III.14.30,VII.I.25-47

[6]:

Ibid, VII.3,15

[7]:

Ibid, I.5.50

[8]:

Ibid, 18.32

[9]:

Ibid, I.2.26.22

[10]:

XVII. 26

[11]:

VII

[12]:

搁补驳丑耻惫补峁兣沘, XIV.37

[13]:

IV.2

[14]:

础惫补苍迟颈蝉耻苍诲补谤墨办补迟丑腻, pp.69, 93; 顿补艣补办耻尘腻谤补肠补谤颈迟补, p.184

[15]:

Saundarananda, 4.3

[16]:

p.34

[17]:

YYII.23