Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Hand Ornaments (b): Angada� 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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
2.5. Hand Ornaments (b): ṅg岹
ṅg岹 is also an upper arm ornament, worn below the shoulder above the ū. It was made of gold; some were with the settings of gems, while on others some strings of pearls were attached. Those producing jingling sounds and those which have lion faced endings were prevalent.
We have reference to ṅg岹, worn by men in ī쾱-峾ⲹṇa[1]. Ѳٲⲹܰṇa and Ծܰṇa make frequent references to ṅg岹[2]. Ѳٲⲹܰṇa describes it as an ornament of lord վṣṇ. ṅg岹 producing pleasing sound is described at one place[3].
Bharata recommends it for males of higher rank[4]. Reference to Kāñcanāṅgada and Pītāṅgada is seen in the dramas of [5]. The former is made of gold, while the latter is one with settings of yellow sapphire. From the description made by him in ٲ, it comes to know that the fashion of hanging some strings from ṅg岹 was in practice[6]. Cāmīkarāṅgada is often described by also[7]. A gold made ṅg岹 described by dzś in ԲDZ is a lion faced one, from which pearl strings were hanging down.
Ѳٲ, Ṛtܲṃh, ٲ, ٲśܳٲ etc. are some other texts mentioning ṅg岹[8].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
V.5.108
[2]:
Ծܰṇa, 112-116; Ѳٲⲹܰṇa, 179.49
[3]:
Ծܰṇa, 119.350; Ѳٲⲹܰṇa, 176.49
[5]:
Ūܲṅg, I.51
[6]:
ٲ, IV.13
[7]:
鲹ܱṃśa, VI.14; Ṛtܲṃh, I.6; վǰśīⲹ, IV.15