The Delight of Persian Illumination

Old age jarā is also designated as Piri original: "pīrī," from the Persian pīrī; similarly, an elder or old man vṛddha is called Pir original: "pīra," from the Persian pīr. A young man yuvā is Jawan original: "javāno," from the Persian javān, and youthfulness yuvatā is called Jawani original: "javānī," from the Persian javānī. Within the head śiras original: "vitānī," possibly referring to the canopy or structure of the head, and for the two ears śravaṇayoḥ, the term is Gosh original: "sagośaḥ," from the Persian gōsh; so also in the mind.

Between the eyebrows bhruvoḥ, the eyelashes nayana-pakṣmāṇi are called Mizhgan original: "mijagāṃ," from the Persian mizhgan. Regarding sight or vision darśana, it is not hidden. For the braided hair or locks veṇī, the term Zulf original: "gulupa," likely a transcription of the Persian zulf is used. For individual hairs keśa, the term is Moy original: "moi," from the Persian mūy.

The breasts kuca or stana are called Pistan original: "runau jar gar," likely corruptions of Persian terms for breast/chest; for the pair of breasts stana-dvayugula, the term is used. For the neck or throat gala-kaṃdhara, the word is Gardan original: "gardanau," from the Persian gardan. Within the orb of the face mukha-maṇḍala, the face itself is called Surat original: "vedana-mātra-natlaḥ," possibly referencing the Arabic sūrat. On the cheek kapola is the "place of desire," and for the nose nāsā ——— there is a name.

The belly or stomach jaṭhara is called Shikam original: "śikama," from the Persian shikam. In the middle of it is the navel nābhi, which is called Naf original: "nāphaḥ," from the Persian nāf. For the joints sandhi ——— and for the side of the body pārśva, the term is Kuh original: "koha," likely from Persian kūh meaning "hump" or side.

The beard or facial hair śmaśru is called Rish original: "rāṇapīhareśmaḥ," containing the Persian rīsh. For the hand hasta, the term is Dast original: "dastā," from the Persian dast. At the elbow kūrpara, the term is Aranj original: "āraṃjaḥ," from the Persian āranj. In the forearm ——— for the nail nakha, the term is Nakhun original: "nārkhune," from the Persian nākhun. The thumb or finger aṅguṣṭha or aṅguli is mentioned; specifically for the thumb, it is Sar-angusht original: "saraṅguṣṭhaḥ," from the Persian sar-angušt, meaning fingertip or thumb. A fist muṣṭi is called Musht original: "muśka," from the Persian musht. A span or measure vitasti is mentioned. For the stomach peṭa, the term is Shikam. For the forehead, the term is Peshani original: "peśāneyasta," from the Persian pēshānī. The right side dakṣiṇa is called Rast original: "rāstaṃ," from the Persian rāst, and the left is the opposite.