Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c43.s3.t13.75

v2.c43.s3.t13.75

In the ancient India, various names were ascribed to pearl necklaces of different kinds. There are similarities as well as some distinctions in the two lists given by Kauṭilya (*AS*, 2.11.6-27) and Varāhamihira (*Bṛ. Saṃ.*, 81.31-36). A pearl-necklace four cubits long and consisting of 1008 strings, was mentioned as *indrachanda* by Kauṭilya and *induchanda* by Varāhamihira. Half that number i.e., 504 strings and 2 cubits made it *vijayachanda*, the same name having been used by both. Similar names were mentioned by both for smaller number of strings: *hāra* (108), *ardha-hāra* (64), *raśmikalāpa* (54), *guccha* (32), *nakṣatramālā* (27), etc.; *ekāvalī* was single-stringed containing any number of pearls, and *yaṣṭi* the same with a gem of different kind in the middle. There were some omissions and additions by both which showed that various combinations of pearls, other gems, gold, etc. went on changing with the passage of time.