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THE SAMAVASARANA
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eye had ever beheld in the world! It stood above ground, circular in form, with a diameter, of 12 yojanas (a small yojana is equal to 8 miles, and a big one to 4000 miles). There was first of all a row of gold pillars surmounted with crocodiles' heads, which held strings of dazzling white pearls in their mouths. Pretty festoons of pearl-strings hung from these golden pillars and produced an extremely pleasing effect. Then came a wide border made with crushed gems of different colours, which glistened in the sun, producing rainbow effects all round. There were four wide roads, one in each direction, which, crossing the border of crushed gems, led into the centre. After the border of gems, on each side, was raised a huge column, called Mānasthamba (literally, pride pillar), the sight of which sufficed to lower the pride of the greatest of mortals, so lofty, so elegant and so costly was it in construction. Each of these columns stood on a raised platform of gold which was reached by a flight of sixteen steps. On their tops were fixed banners and flags that fluttered in the breeze, and festoons of pearls and precious beads were suspended from them. The platform itself was surrounded by three enclosures made of precious metals, with doors in every direction. Four beautiful lakes, filled with crystal water,
