Darpaṇa

From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia

By Swami Harshananda

Darpaa literally means ‘that which increases one’s pride’.

Denotation of Darpaṇa[edit]

The word ‘darpaṇa’ is one of the common terms that indicates a mirror. It has been called accordingly as it increases the ‘darpa’ or the pride of a beautiful or a handsome person!

Significance of Darpaṇa[edit]

  • A mirror is one of the several objects that is shown in the hands of a female figurine or a goddess sculptured according to the rules of the Murtiśilpaśāstra or iconography.
  • It is also one of the aṣtamaṅgalas, eight objects signifying auspiciousness, normally used on auspicious occasions like the coronation of a king.


References[edit]

  • The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore