The tradition of Hindu women wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्) started since ancient times & till date this custom is followed by many women. Hindu women wear bangles (कङ्कणम्) to enhance their feminine grace & beauty. The Hindu history of bangles (कङ्कणम्) is quite rich & royal & are being made from various materials including glass, conch, different metals, gold, silver & ivory. Different regions have bangles of different materials. The bangles (कङ्कणम्) are an important ornament worn by both unmarried & married Hindu women. Bangles (कङ्कणम्) of various styles have been worn since ancient times by women in the Indian Subcontinent. The traditional bangles of Punjab are made from ivory, in Bengal it is made up of conch, in Gujarat mostly it is made up of glass accompanied by the gold bangle (सुवर्ण कङ्कणम्) in each arm, while the popular tradition at Uttar Pradesh is that the brides wear red glass bangles & red sarees during weddings, while in States like Maharashtra & Karnataka, they wear green glass bangles & green sarees. So, the bangles (कङ्कणम्) have got linked with the tradition of Hindus very closely giving rise to several popular beliefs & practices. Bangles (कङ्कणम्) are symbol of prosperity & wealth. Though people make bangles in gold but even studded with diamonds, ivory, glass & conch bangles are highly popular till this day.
Historically speaking, bangles (कङ्कणम्) have been found at many archaeological sites in India, with the oldest specimen dating back to 2,000 B.C. or earlier. Ancient fragments testify that the bangles (कङ्कणम्) were made from terracotta, stone, shell, copper, bronze, silver, gold, lac, glass, etc. Hindu women used to adorn their wrist & arm with bangles (कङ्कणम्) since Vedic period. One of the oldest art objects, the bronze figurine of dancing girl was excavated from Mohenjo Daro, represents the ancient times & the universality of wrist ornaments in India. Even the Yakshinis are depicted wearing bangles. Many examples are seen in the Vedas & Scriptures representing the Goddesses & celestial forms wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्). Banabhatta’s Kadambari has reference to goddess Sarasvati (goddess of learning) wearing bangles (कङ्कणम्).
Significance of wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्) -
The significance of wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्) is explained very subtly in some Hindu scriptures. It is said that while the bangles slightly clash with each other, the action energy (क्रिया शक्तिः) waves emerge & activate the sun channel (सूर्य नाडी) of the women wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्). From the sun channel (सूर्य नाडी), waves of energy (शक्तिः) are produced into the atmosphere. These waves spread around the women's physique & protect her from the evil energies of the atmosphere.
It is also believed that, depending on the number of bangles worn in each of the hands, the specific kind of energy is created. The prescribed numbers are usually three, six, eight or twelve. Young & unmarried girls are instructed to go for the least number i.e. three bangles in each hand. Newly married women are asked to wear a greater number of bangles (कङ्कणम्) since they need more energy & more positive vibrations to reduce the evil eyes & the decreasing of negative energies. It is advised further that, the shiny bangles (कङ्कणम्) reflects off the positive radiations without absorbing much of the positivity & therefore shiny bangles are not to be worn, if one wants to get the fuller benefits of the bangles (कङ्कणम्). The bangles (कङ्कणम्) should be free of any designs on them as designs would give rise to negative vibrations in them ultimately ruining the very purpose of wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्). In some cultures, it is believed that, while changing the bangles (कङ्कणम्), one should not remove the bangles (कङ्कणम्) from both the wrists until one wear another set of the bangles (कङ्कणम्). It is believed that empty wrist brings bad omen into the married life.
Plastic bangles (कङ्कणम्) are passion & ignorance (रजस्-तमस्) dominant. Hence, passion & ignorance (रजस्-तमस्) dominant vibrations in the environment are attracted to such bangles (कङ्कणम्) & are absorbed by the woman who wears them. As a result, she might experience distress, anxiety, etc. Glass bangles (कङ्कणम्) have the quality of goodness (सात्त्विकः) & the consciousness (चैतन्यम्) in it. Due to these, the consciousness (चैतन्यम्) dominant waves from the environment are attracted to the glass bangles (कङ्कणम्). In addition to this, the sound generated by the glass bangles keeps negative energies at distant. While plastic bangles dose not generate any sound. The glass bangles (कङ्कणम्) are said to be symbolising for the well-being of husband & son. So, glass bangles or gold & silver metal is mostly preferred while wearing bangles (कङ्कणम्). Gold & silver ornaments increase healing energy & make one feel fresh & calm. Gold has been one of the most durable & luxurious metals in the world. Gold & silver ornaments are the source of energy & they protect the body from various diseases including mental, physical & spiritual.
Scientific reasons of wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्) -
1. Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation of every human. Also, the pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of sicknesses. The Bangles (कङ्कणम्) used by women are normally in the wrist part of one’s hand & its constant friction balances the blood circulation level.
2. Bangles (कङ्कणम्) help in maintaining & recharging the energy levels. The electricity passing out through the skin gets reverted to the body again because of the ring-shaped bangles (कङ्कणम्). Since the bangles (कङ्कणम्) are circular in shape, there are no ends to pass the energy outside & thus, the energy gets reverted back to the body.
3. The melodious sound created by the metal or glass bangles (कङ्कणम्), creates an aura around the women's physical body protecting her from all dangers & evil spells.
4. The sound generated by the bangles (कङ्कणम्) drive negative energies away. Naturally women feel some good vibrations while wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्).
5. It is also believed that the subtle waves developing from the sound of the bangles (कङ्कणम्) protect the motor organs of the women.
6. Wearing bangles (कङ्कणम्) works as calming & encouraging the women emotionally.
7. Depression, anxiety, etc can be cured by wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्).
8. In ancient times women used to have lot of work load after marriage. She almost had to do all the work on her own & there were joint family system so, more the family members more the household work & more the responsibilities. Because of more work load women used to get high blood pressure which leads her emotions to stress, anger, depression, impatience, anxiety etc. to avoid high blood pressure, women were asked to wear bangles (कङ्कणम्) & some other ornaments like earrings, waist belt, anklet, etc. As each ornament have their significance too in Hinduism.
9. According to the scientific study, during the seventh month of the pregnancy, the brain cells of the baby start developing & the baby start recognizing the sounds. A tinkling sound of the bangles (कङ्कणम्) provides soothing sound for the baby.
10. According to the gynaecologists, a pregnant woman who is stressed out is more likely to give birth to a pre-mature or under-weight baby, but while wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्), a study have shown that cheerful & calming music reduced a pregnant women’s stress & depression & helps the foetus develop the ability of hearing.
Though the fashion has set a new trend with the arrival of plastic bangles (कङ्कणम्) in several colours & designs, they can never match the look, feel & vibrations generated by the glass & gold bangles (कङ्कणम्). The real benefit of wearing bangles (कङ्कणम्) is lost when people go for different materials than the traditionally approved ones. Thus, there are several benefits recorded by the tradition of wearing the bangles (कङ्कणम्). However, it is important to note that the tradition is followed so that the purpose & benefit of wearing bangles (कङ्कणम्) are really attained.
भाद्रपदः शुक्लपक्षे १३, २०७६