Sambodhi 1994 Vol 19

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 64

60
R.N. MEHTA
SAMBODHI
Common Thoughts in Art
As an example the acceptance of five elements of the world by the Sāṁkhya thinkers and the idea for five Buddhist deities, development of an architectural group of five stüpas or five temples, one main and four subsidiary ones are interesting features that unite the Brahmanic and Buddhist thought, and basic art-forms.
If one examines the reverance paid to Lord Buddha as one of the incarnation of Vişnu and examines the images of this school, it seems that the art forms also reflect this reverence and mutual cooperation and cordination in society with sometimes verbal dissentions.
Prathet Thai Buddhism and Brāhmanism
When these cooperative aspects are considered in the Indian society and compared to that of the society of Prathet Thai, the emergent picture is significantly highly congruent and suggestive. .
The Vaisnavas consider Buddha as one of the incarnation of Visnu, the protector of the world order. On plıysical plane the work of protection is carried out by the ruler from the state capital. When one considers the cultural parameters in Prathet Thai, the capitals like Dvārāvati (Cir. 6th-Cir. 11/12th Cent.) Ayutthaya (Cir. 14th-1716) and Bangkok (18th cent. t present) with its full name “Krungthep, Rajadhani, Buriroma, Udom, Rajanivet, Malasthana, Amarna, Pimarna, Avartana, Sarit, Sakkatuthiya, Visnukarma Prasit” is highly instructive.
Toponyms
Dvārāvatī, is the well-known town developed by Lord Krsna when he moved from Mathurā to Western India. This was the capital of Yadavas. It is archaeologically debated about the exact location of this important city. However, with the advancing evidence of the chaleolithic studies, sites around the present day Dvārāvati or Dwarka suggests that the occupation of this region is fairly early in the period around 200 B.C. Significantly one of the capital of Prathet Thai in a period of about 6th to cir. 12th, is named as Dvārāvati that reminds one of its Vaisnava association, that has affinity with the Brahmanic tradition. Its ruler Ram Khamennaga who one of the most popular ruler of Prather Thai carries the name of another ruler from iksvāku dyanasty, in which