From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Darpaṇa literally means ‘that which increases one’s pride’.
Denotation of Darpaṇa
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
- 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.
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore