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Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t18: Dyes, Gums, and Chemicals

Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t18

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Dyes, Gums, and Chemicals

c9.t18.1

Among the miscellaneous industries, may be mentioned the dye-producing work. Probably dyes were made from substances such as cikura (a plant) haritāla (yellow orpiment), sarisava (mustard), the flowers of kimsuka, japākusuma and bandhujīvaka, hingula (vermilion), kumkuma (saffron), blue lotus, sirīsa flowers, and collyrium, etc.²⁰⁶ The colour of kimarāya (crimson) is mentioned.207 Preparation of lac-juice (lakkhārasa) was also an important industry, and it was used by ladies and children for adorning their hands and feet.208 It is mentioned in the cremation rites that the mark of red lac (alattapudaga) was applied to the stomach and back of those who were given to vultures for feeding.209 A variety of stone, which was used for polishing the pots, is mentioned.210

c9.t18.2

²⁰⁶ Nāya 1 p 10, also Bhag 18 6. 207 Anu Sū 37, Ava. Ti, (Ham.), p 396a 208 ibid Niryā. 3, p. 51; Uvā 1, p 11.; Ava. Ti (Hari), p. 398 209 Nisī cū II. p 764 210 Pinda Nur. Ti. 15 211 Nisī cū, II, p 747 212 Panna 1 37. 213 Ava cū, p 292. 214 Vya Bhā 3, p. 20a. 215 Brh Bhā. 1. 2885 216 Brh Sū. 3 3, Bhā. 3 3810. 217 ibid 3 3824 218 ibid 3 3817 f 219 ibid. 1 1016 220 Nāya. 8. p. 95. 221 Kalpa. Sū. 3. 37.

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