Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

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

Page 65

A Religious Retreat for Hermits
The religious compound for hermits or nuns, according to Dhanapāla, was attached to the Temple of Lord Rşabha on Mount Ekaśộnga. It was reported to be a three-storied building studded with jewels. On the top level, it appears that there was a sleeping chamber with paved floor, and the walls had ivory pegs on which to display things. On the terrace there was a small pavilion of ruby slabs and moonstone with a series of jewelled domes covering the front portion of the pedestal. On the uncovered part of the terrace there appears to have been a silver platform, and an extensive jewel slab.
Miscellaneous Structures and Yantras
There is a passing reference to a series of stairs which descend to the waters of Lake Adçstapāra with its banks of moonstone slabs. There is also mention of a sandalwood aeroplane (haricandana-vimāna) which is said to be a sort of small wooden prāsāda which could fly through the air and, if need be, float on the surface of streams, lakes and oceans. It had at least two levels (as is evident from the reference to the topmost floor), and latticed windows or air-holes. It was decorated with silk banners, and had a flag-post. Also, mention was made of minor structures as sites that are believed to be Pattāṁśuka-vitānaka, Cīnāṁsuka-vitāna, and Patamandira.
The term yantra 'has been defined by Bhoja in his Samarānganasūtradhāra as a contrivance by which the natural forces lie earth, w
lled for the benefit of human beings. Dhanapāla has referred to the following yantras in the Tilakamañjarī:
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NICOLIITUNU
Ghati-yantra: It is the waterwheel mounted on a well, consisting of a wheel through a pair of joined circular ropes. A number of earthen pots were tied at regular intervals in such a way that the ropes along with some of the pots reached considerably below the surface of the water in the well. Even to this day they are present in places around Palanpur in North Gujarat.
Cāmi-cakra-dolā-yantra: It appears to have been a sort of a horizontally rotating merry-go-round, and possibly mounted on a central golden pillar serving as a pivot. It was decorated with silken banners on the top.
Vimāna-yantra: It was a type of wooden aeroplane, studded with jewels and decorated with a cloth banner. It is supposed to have flown with great speed in the air.
Vilāsa-yantra-putrikā: It was a mechanical contrivance in the
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