Jinamanjari 1996 04 No 13

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 36

Several of these seals depict trees of various sorts whose forms are not elaborated upon or embellished and which do not seem to be accompanied by any type of built structure (fig.1). These naturalistic portrayals of trees are useful in establishing a contrast with the representations of fenced trees so as to demonstrate that not all trees were set apart in this manner. The trees that are depicted in conjunction with built structural forms are surrounded by what appear to be low, rectangular railings placed close to their respective trunks (fig.2).
Significantly, these fenced trees also occur in conjunction with scenes that appear to depict ritual activity. For instance, in one fragmented example from Harappa we can see a line of individuals with joined hands approaching the base of one of these fenced trees, while in a second example a similar line of people can be seen standing below a tree in which some sort of deity or costume-wearing human can be seen (figs.2,3). In this second image, the tree is not growing out of the type of rectangular construction represented in the first example. Instead, it appears to be emerging from a circular area which clearly surrounds the base of the double-trunked tree. The presence of these barriers enclosing the bases of trees, thereby setting them apart from the surrounding landscape, confronts us with an architectural form that is linked, at the very least, in its design to the later vedika rails which encircle tree-caityas. While it is tempting to identify these Indus architectural forms as having the same religious meanings as later caityas, it is enough to simply recognize that the form of the fenced tree maintained religious potency throughout the centuries.
Similarly, the fact that the figure which stands in this tree has horns and is richly adorned with armlets, the presence of a kneeling individual with outstretched arms, and a large bull situated before the tree, all suggest that this figure has an importance and authority beyond that of ordinary humans. Furthermore, these scenes, which seem to portray some sort of
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