Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 10
Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 230
________________ 192 THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY. Mahmud, Kunwar Pål represents Krishna Raja, and the city of Pâtan is Krishnagiri. The tale of the siege and storm and the pious Musalmans studying the Korán by lamplight is given, but Jafar and Muzafar are read for Sayyid Pâsha and Sayyid Akbar. The Somanâth myth is more merciful to its heroes than that of Krishnagiri as only one of them fell in the conflict, and the decapitation incident is absent, not unnaturally, as the idea of mutilation is abhorrent to a Musalman. Two heroes named Hamir and Vegad fighting on the side of Kunwar Pâl may be the prototypes of Akbar and Avan Singh, while the faqir now at Krishnagiri may be indebted for his existence to the descendants of the Kalifah Abu-Bakr, who were nominated to the Kâziship of Pâtan by Sultan Mahmud. Whether the Krishnagiri myth is a case of clear BUDDHIST PILGRIMS FROM CHINA TO INDIA. BY REV. S. BEAL, B.A. (Continued from p. 111.) The Nalanda temple built by Śri Sakrâditya is four square like a city. There are four large gateways of three storeys each. Each storey is some 10 feet in height; the whole covered on the outside with tiles. Outside the western gate of the Great Hall of the temple is a large stúpa and various Chaityas, each erected over different sacred vestiges, and adorned with every kind of precious substance. [JULY, 1881. pilfering, or whether history has repeated itself, is a question which must be left to experts to decide. It is not impossible that truth lies between the two. Friday is a favourite day for fighting with Musalmans, and the tradition of Somanâth may have been current at the time, and suggested to Akbar Pâsha a way out of his difficulties. Storms are not unusual in the Bârahmahal, nor is it anything extraordinary for Musalmans to read the Korán by night; that their tents should be left standing may be due to their being better tents and better pitched than those of their neighbours, and the leaders of a forlorn hope stand a fair chance of losing their lives even by decapitation. Some portentous vitality on the part of the trunks may not need the miraculous to account for it, but has no doubt been magnified by tradition. The Superior is a very old man. The Karmadana or Vihâraswâmi or Vihârapâla is the chief officer after the Superior, and to him the utmost deference is paid. This is the only temple in which by Imperial order a waterclock is kept to determine the right time. The night is divided into three watches, during the first and last of which there are religions services; in the middle watch, as the priests may desire, they can watch or repose. The method in which this clock determines the time is fully described in the K'hi-kwei-ch'uen. The temple is called Sri Nalanda Vihåra, after the name of Nâgânanda. The great temple opens to the west: going about 20 paces from the gate there is a stupa about 100 feet high. This is where the Lord of the world (Lokanatha) kept Wass But here I-taing is in error. (the season of the rains) for three months. The Sanskrit name is Màlagandhakoți. Northwards, 50 paces, is a great stúpa, even higher than the other; this was built by Bâlâditya,-very much reverenced-in it is a figure of Buddha tarning the Wheel of the Law, S. W. is a little chaitya, about 10 feet high. This commemorates the place where the Brahman with the bird in his hand asked questions. The Chinese expression Su-li-fau-to means just the same as this.1 To the west of the Mûlagandha Hall is the Toothbrush tree of Buddha. This is not the willow tree. On a raised space is the ground where Buddha walked it is about 2 cubits wide, 14 or 15 long, and 2 high. There are lotus flowers carved out of the stone, a foot high, 14 or 15 in number to denote his steps. Going from the temple south to Rajagriha is 30 li. The Vulture Peak and the Bambu Garden are close to this city. Going south-west to the Mahâbôdhiis seven stages (yojanas): the same due south to the "Honoured Footprint." To Vaisallis 25 stages north. To the Deer Park 20 or so stages west. East to Tamralipti is 60 or 70 stages. This is the place for embarking for China from Eastern Note by Ch. Ed. :-A stage is equal to a yojana.

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