[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s8.790 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s8.790 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s8.790 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s8.790](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8.790) Śmaśru in the Rigveda¹ and later² means ‘beard’ and ‘moustache,’ being sometimes contrasted with Keśa,³ ‘hair of the head.’ Shaving was known (see Vaptr and Kṣura). The wearing of a beard was a sign of manhood according to the Taittirīya Saṃhitā,⁴ with which agrees the notice of Megasthenes⁵ that the Indians carefully tended their beards up to the day of their death. - [Previous: v2.c4.s8.789](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8.789) - [Next: v2.c4.s8.791](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8.791) - [Up: v2.c4.s8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8.790](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s8.790) · Pramāṇa