Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.173

v2.c4.s7.173

1. Varṇa, ‘colour,’ is a common word in the Rigveda¹ and later.² A large number of colours are enumerated in Vedic literature, but it is not possible to deduce any clear information as to the accuracy with which the Vedic Indian distinguished colours, or as to the principle on which his distinctions were based. The Rigveda seems to show that red or yellow colours were the most noticed, but this may be accidental.³ ‘Black’ or ‘dark’ is denoted by kṛṣṇa, ‘white’ or ‘light-coloured’ by śukla or śveta. ‘Black’ seems to be meant in one passage of the Rigveda⁴ by śyenī also. ‘Dark-grey’ or ‘dusky’ is expressed by śyāma.⁵ The sense of nīla⁶ is doubtful, perhaps ‘dark-blue,’ ‘bluish-black.’ The series of words hari, hariṇa, harit, harita, seems, on the whole, to denote ‘yellow,’ but ‘green’ is also a possible rendering, since the epithet is used of the frog.⁷ ‘Brown’ is certainly the meaning of babhru, which is used of the Vibhītaka nut (see Akṣa). ‘Reddish-brown’ seems to be the tinge implied by kapila⁸ (‘monkey-coloured’), while piṅgala appears to denote a shade of brown in which yellow predominates, ‘tawny.’⁹ ‘Yellow’ is expressed by pīta as well as pāṇḍu.¹⁰ A garment of saffron (mahārājana) is mentioned in the Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad.¹¹ Rudhira and lohita are red, while aruṇa is ‘ruddy.’ Kalmāṣa means ‘spotted,’¹² and śilpa ‘dappled,’¹³ while mingled shades like aruṇa-piśaṅga, ‘reddish brown,’ also occur.¹⁴