Page:The Industrial Arts of India.djvu/97

 Phoenicians, and Armenians, the civilisations of India, Egypt, Assyria, and of Greece and Rome, have acted and reacted on each other. But the earliest records, the national epics, and ancient sculptures and paintings, represent the Hindu forms of Indian jewelry, and gold and silver plate, and common pottery and musical instruments, and describe them, exactly as we have them now.

Jewelry is constantly mentioned in the Rig-Veda. The Maruts decorate their persons with “ various ornaments,” “ they are richly decorated with ornaments,” and “ shining necklaces are pendent on their breasts. ,, The Aswins are adorned with “ golden ornaments,” and the Asuras likewise have “ plenty of gold and jewels.” The sage Kakshivat, the reputed author of several of the hymns of the Rig-Veda, prays for a son “ decorated with golden earrings, and a jewelled necklace,” and largesses of “ gold and jewels,” to the priests and Brahmans are constantly mentioned. In the Nirukta, or Etymological Glossary, forming one of the Vedangas, and in the grammar of Panini, who is supposed to have lived in the fourth century b.c. the names of various kinds of jewels are given, which are identical with those still in parlance throughout India. Manu minutely defines the nature and duties of the jeweller, and the fines he is to pay for piercing precious gems, such as rubies and diamonds, and for boring inferior gems improperly, and the punishment due to him for debasing gold. The references to jewelry in the Ramayana and Mahabharata are too numerous for quotation. Sita is represented as arrayed for her marriage with Rama in a light sari - like garment of a rosy red colour embroidered with gold, and with jewelled butterflies and other bright ornaments in her raven black hair. Her ears are resplendent with gems, she has bracelets and armlets on her arms and wrists, a golden zone binds her slender waist, and golden anklets her ankles. She has jewelled rings on her fingers, and golden bells on her toes, that tinkle as she w T alks with naked feet over the