Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 276

Sec. VII] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA 251 four kinds of decoration on the eve of their leaving the world for undertaking the state of houselessness.
The same features of royal consecration are also found to have been observed in the cases of princes-Śivabhadra', Mahābala', and Keśīkumāra3 in regard to the ascendency to their respective thrones.
On the occasion of marriage also a kind of ceremonial bath followed the presentation of eight auspicious articles (astamangala), such as, tilaka (mark on forehead), Kankana (a sacred band tied round the wrist), etc. was given to the bride', as it is evidenced in the case of prince Mahābala.
Art of Decoration
It is already mentioned that the bath was followed by the art of decoration which was the natural expression of the aesthetic sense of man.
The BhSs presents a grapbic account of the personal decoration of the princes, rich and cultured citizens of its period, who could afford the luxury of adorning themselves with various kinds of costly silken clothes embroidered with gold, ornaments of gems, pearls and jewels, perfumes, rich toilets of Gośīrsa sandal paste and black fragrant aloe (kālāgaru, Aquilaria Agalloch).
The decoration was applied to the different parts of the body in an artistic style from the head to foot.
After taking bath, the male members belonging to the royal and rich aristocratic families besmeared their limbs with the essence of sandal paste, put on fine silken clothes embroidered with gold and adorned themselves with various kinds of costly ornaments, such as crown (mauda), necklace (hāra), etc., garlandse and shoes.?
Similarly the ladies of the royal and rich aristocratic families also decorated their bodies with various kinds of orna.
1 Bhs, 11, 9, 417. 4 10, 11, 11, 430. 6 16, 9, 33, 385.
: Ib, 11, 11, 431. SIb, 13. 6, 491. 516, 9, 33, 385; 11, 11, 428 ; 11, 11, 430. 7 1b, 9, 33, 383; 385.