Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

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

Page 61

camphor trees were used on these streams to entertain the members of the royal household. Śabara couple were housed in the caves of the sports hill.
All the ridges and sri-mandapa of the saudha-style palace were painted red with the juice from the leaves of the Tamāla Creeper. The floor of the place “looked like clear water.” In the front of the living room there were several sports pools. The pattaśālas had extensive parivastrā-pata (curtains), as did the doors opening into the dīpti-pața (diamond-studded turrets). The moulding of the marble columns was considered so transparent that the harem maids often missed to notice them in the daily routines, and often walked into them.
Various types of interior building are mentioned: ādarsabhavana, padmarāga-sadma and the indranila-mandira, in conjunction with the jewel-studded dining hall and large gardens, which are described as having a step-well and sports pool. Finely grated elephant tusk and powder of pearls were spread on the garden lanes. The steps of the staircases of the palaces and royal tanks were lined with precious slabs of jewel stones. A canopy was built to serve as a bathroom, while the bathrooms for the royal ladies were streamlined with kāņdapatka (curtains) for privacy.
This particular saudha-style palace, like other compounds of this nature, was multi-storied, surround by high compound-walls with gates made in the "alligator architraves." These compounds had swingcouches suspended on a pair of pillars located on a platform in the courtyard. Many of these buildings had domestic gardens and sports pool in their compounds, usually supplied by fresh-water springs or local streams.
The palace which was multi-story structure was known by a special name, bhadraśālā. On the topmost floor of the building there situated an apartment called the candraśālā. This area served as a private theatre for dance and dramatic performance. Next to the theatre were quarters called sayana-citraśālā or the sayana-citraśālikā -- having windows studded with moon-stones and extensive jewel-studded canopies raised on golden pillars. There was a raised platform on the terrace, and the floors were studded with jewels, or at least, painted with a jewel motif.
There were many buildings within the palace complex: such as residences for princes, princesses, and companions. A school for the prince was also built inside the royal premises. And there were separate buildings used as stables for horses and elephants.
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