Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates 鈥楿pper Garments (h): Varabana (armour)鈥� 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.
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2.1. Upper Garments (h): V膩rab膩峁嘺 (armour)
Literally the word V膩rab膩峁嘺 means armour. But it was not only a dress of soldiers. Royals and aristocrats also wore V膩rab膩峁嘺. Sun god is described in many places as attired in golden V膩rab膩峁嘺[1]. A special kind of fabric called Sthavaraka was employed for making V膩rab膩峁嘺. 础尘补谤补办辞艣补[2] mentions V膩rab膩峁嘺 and 碍补帽肠耻办补 as synonymous words. Kings usually wore gorgeous V膩rab膩峁嘺 on ceremonial occasions. In 惭耻诲谤腻谤腻办峁蝉补[3], we come across Vairocaka attired in a costly V膩rab膩峁嘺 during his coronation ceremony. It is described as embroidered with designs and studded with pearls and precious gems. In 贬补谤峁肠补谤颈迟补[4] also we often meet with such gorgeous coats. Even though it was popular among men, women also wore V膩rab膩峁嘺. But women鈥檚 V膩rab膩峁嘺 was not a coat like garment. In 碍耻峁弓补苍墨尘补迟补[5] this term is used in the sense of a breast cloth.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
NTAIS, p.77
[2]:
2.8.64
[3]:
Act III
[4]:
p.206
[5]:
vv.899-900