7. The sanctity of gold

As already stated, the Sunār obtains some social distinction from working in gold, which is a very sacred metal with the Hindus. Gold ornaments must not on this account be worn below the waist, as to do so would be considered an indignity to the holy material. Marātha and Khedāwāl Brāhman women will not have ornaments for the head and arms of any baser metal than gold. If they cannot afford gold bracelets they wear only glass ones. Other castes should, if they can afford it, wear only gold on the head. And at any rate the nose-ring and small earrings in the upper ear should be of gold if worn at all. When a man is at the point of death, a little gold, Ganges water, and a leaf of the tulsi or basil plant are placed in his mouth, so that these sacred articles may accompany him to the other world. So valuable as a means of securing a pure death is the presence of gold in the mouth that some castes have small pieces inserted into a couple of their upper teeth, in order that wherever and whenever they may die, the gold may be present to purify them.[7] A similar idea was prevalent in Europe. Aurum potabile[8] or drinkable gold was a favourite nostrum of the Middle Ages, because gold being perfect should produce perfect health; and patients when in extremis were commonly given water in which gold had been washed. And the belief is referred to by Shakespeare:

Therefore, thou best of gold art worst of gold:

Other, less fine in carat, is more precious,

Preserving life in medicine potable.[9]

The metals which are used for currency, gold, silver and copper, are all held sacred by the Hindus, and this is easily explained on the grounds of their intrinsic value and their potency when employed as coin. It may be noted that when the nickel anna coinage was introduced, it was held in some localities that the coins could not be presented at temples as this metal was not sacred.

Ornaments

List of Ornaments, from Left to Right.

Three bracelets on top of board, from left to right:—

1.—Anklet, with links like coils of a snake.
2.—Tora, or solid anklet.
3.—Naugrihi, or wristlet of nine planets.

Second row, from left to right:—

4.—Large nathni, or nose-ring.
5.—Another naugrihi.
6.—Bīja, or custard apple worn on head above bindia.
7.—Bindia, or ornament worn on head.
8.—Haniel, or necklace of rupees with betel-leaf pendant.

Third row, from left to right:—

9.—Small nathni, or nose-ring.
10.—Bora, or waistband with beads like smallpox postules.
11.—Kantha, or gold necklace.
12.—Bohta, or circlet for upper arm.
13.—Hasli, or necklet like collar-bone.

Fourth row, from left to right:—

14.—Karanphūl or earring like marigold.
15.—Paijan, or hollow tinkling anklet.
16.—Dhara, or earring like shield.
17.—Another anklet.
18.—Another armlet, called “koparbela.”