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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA. CURNI
wood paste appears to have been the most popular.1 Sandal was used as powder (camdanacunna) and also as a paste. Bina also describes that "viscious sandal was used to perfume the body", and that “bosoms of the ladies glistened with rich. sandalwood ointment'',8 Yuan Chwang informs that “they (people of India) smear their bodies with scented unguents. such as sandal and saffron."*
The collyrium (añjana) was applied to the eyes. Two varieties of collyrium, i.e. soviraya and rasañjana have been mentioned. Of these the former might have been the same as. srotañjana or antimony mentioned by Susruta which was usually found in the vicinity of river Indus and was considered to be the purest of all the añjanas.'
Teeth were also stained or coloured. People, as noted above, were accustomed to betel-eating which imparted a red colour to the teeth. Yuan Chwang observed that people stained their teeth red or black.
Feet were usually dyed or stained with lack-dye (alaktaka). 10 While applying the dye to the feet it was made to dry up by
when he says that "the scent is prepared as follows-take any per fume tree such as sandalwood or alco-wood and grind it with water on a flat stone until it becomes muddy, then anoint the image with it and
next wash it with water".-Takakusu, op. cit., p. 149. 1. Mettle for siquiat77347 aftalte ze N C. 2, p. 5; also get a
OFTETË SHUİ-NC. 2, p. 6. 2. Harracarita, pp. 260-61. 3. Kādambari, p. 55. 4. Watters, op. cit., 1, p. 152; Beal, op. cit., 1, p. 77. 5. NO. 2, p. 220. 6. 37Tufata Aldre ThicTUL an-NC. 2, p. 290. 7. Vide-Motichandra, Cosmetics and Coffieur in Ancient India",
JISOA. VIII, PP. 62-145. 8. ga safar tafà 91NG. 2, p. 220. 9. Watters, op. cit., 1, p. 151; Bcal, op. cit, 1, p. 76. 10. 3135grof gray sige near AfT* 390 TRIEUIT T —NC. 1, p. 212.
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