Panchratre Jayakhya Samhita

SR No.: 020424
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Embar Krishnamacharya
Publisher: Orental Institute
Publication Year: 1967
Total Pages: 588
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 23 MB

Page 36

(II) FROM PALÆOGRAPHICAL VIEWPOINT
31
uterus with the os is described as V and it is well-known that from Ašoka's time downwards V used to be represented by a circle with a short vertical line above.
The letter 'R' (c) has been given the synonym of Anala or fire. Now from the time of Asoka onwards right up to the beginning of the 7th century the letter has always been represented by a waving vertical line, and as this may be compared to a flame of fire it can very easily be understood why R should be designated as fire.
The letter 'K' (*) of the alphabet is again designated in the Jayakhyasamhita as Kamala or a lotus. In the time of Asoka the letter was represented by a cross, but later on, in the Sunga period right up to the 6th century the horizontal line was carved as a semi-circle; and if the letter is beld upside down it resembles a lotus.
The letter 'G' () is likewise designated as Gadādhara or the holder of the mace. It is well-known that G used to be represented in Asoka's time by an acute angle the corner being at the top. But later on, the left side of the angle shortened and ended with a short horizontal bar. This happened in the Kuşhān period and continued practically in the same form up to the end of the seventh century. The angle at the top was also modified and somewhat rounded, and gave the appearance of a man holding a mace towards the left.
The letter "TH' (3) is represented as Nemi or wheel. Every one is familiar with the shape of the letter since Aśoka's time when it used to be represented by a clear circle which has come down with very little modification right up to the present day.
The letter 'V' (a) is here designated as Varuna—the lord of the waters. The Tāntric symbol for both Varuna and water is, therefore, the pot which holds water. Now, in Aśoka's time 'V' used to be represented with a horizontal line with a circle below, and in the same form it continued up to the 6th