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A PICTURE OF THE TIMES
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crystals, sapphires, rubies, corals and the like studded in gold and other minerals. On the grounds were built pavilions (vedikā) with raised seats (vitanka). These also were decorated with precious stones. The courtyards (prāngana) and arches (torana)27 were necessary features of the buildings. Stair-cases (sopana) and windows (vātāyana) were made of crystals. Slightly different from the windows were the 'gavākṣas', windows with fretwork in stone. In the royal palaces were special audience halls (āsthāna) and pleasure pavilion (krīdā-mandapa) both inside and outside. 'Sayanāgāra' was the bedroom and 'Apavaraka' was another name for a room.
The parks (udyānas) had, of course, their natural beauty, but they were planned and well-provided with artificial lakes, tanks, lotus-ponds and hillocks. The secanakuţis were kept cool with water sprinkled from leather bags; and they were resorted to by the pleasure loving couples to escape the heat of the summer.
The most interesting feature was the yantra-dhārā-gļha which was an ideal resort during the summer season. It is an old feature of the cities, for we find the mention and description of the same in the Kādamabari,2# the Yaśastilaka-campū,29 the Tilakamañjara30 and many other works. The construction of the yantra-dhārā-grhu. was very elaborate, and therefore the kings alone could afford them.31
At the very outset of this work we read that the king was seated in the dhärä-grha. But the description of the city includes another yantra-dhārā-grha, which was accessible to the people of the city. The purpose of the dhārā-gļha was to seek refuge from the heat of the summer days. It was made of dark coloured stones to deflect the heat and keep the inside cool. Various pavilions and balconies were provided within the house. Pillars, pillartops and carved dolls on them (pattaśālabhañjikā) adorned the chambers. On the top of the pillars (stambhaśīrşaka) were small statues which looked as if they bore the burden of the whole roof. They were called bhāra. putrakas, and their reflections in the pillars multiplied their number. The dhārā-gļha was kept very cool as if it was made of camphor, snow or bits of the moon. 27. The torana is beautifully described in SS (p. 89, vs. 36-38)
पार्श्वयोरुभयोरेषां फलकद्वयमुच्छितम्। उपर्यपरि संक्षिप्तमर्धचन्द्रद्वयाकृति ।। आनने द्वे यथा चास्मिन् श्लिष्टरुयैर्महाधरैः । तयोरुपरिसन्धौ च तारकाकृतिमण्डलम् ।। तत् तोरणमिति प्रोक्तं यच्च तेन परिष्कृतम् । सुवर्णतोरणं च स्यान्मणितोरणमेव च ।।
मणितोरणमप्येतत् क्रियते पुष्पकादिभिः । 28. Pp. 438-39 29. Book III, p. 522-532. 30. Pp. 178-190.
प्राकृतजनार्थमेतन्न विधेयं योग्यमेतदवनिभुजाम् ।
STATTİ HT Focafea afecyfoe THI SS, p. 179, vs. 118. 31.
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