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STUDIES IN JAINA ART
the pride (mäna) of the infatuated or were so called on account of their measuring as it were of the three worlds (with their heights). Adorned with flags and bells, they looked like quarter-elephants (dik-gaja). At their bases were kept golden images of the Jinendra worshipped with waters of the Ksira-sagara, by the Indras. Accessories of worship, flowers etc., were lying over the pitbikās (platforms). Music and dancing continued incessantly before the statues of the Jina, by the side of these pillars. The pithikäs were in the centre of the jagati, on these platforms were smaller platforms (pitha-) in three tiers (trimekhalam), on whose tops the pillars stood, with beautiful bases and adorned with triple-umbrellas on tops. Being erected by Indras, they are also known. as Indradhvajas.
Step-wells, four in each direction, filled with pure water and shining with lotuses grown in them adorned the area near these pillars. Their flight of steps was made of gems and the embankments-surface (tatibhuvah) made of crystals. Smaller kundas (pits-ponds) on their sides were meant for washing
feet.
A little away from these vapis, was a moat filled with water, full of lotuses and encircling the samavasarapa area. Inside of it was also a latāvana (creeper-grove) adorned with flowers, small trees and creepers, having also a kriḍāparvata (pleasure-hill), bowers of creepers, etc.
Going a little away from it (parikha-moat) was visible the first rampart (pråkära-sala), made of gold, having its top studded with rows of pearls. The fortification was at places adorned with (representations of) pairs of elephants, horses and tigers, at places with parrots, swans and peacocks, or with figures of human pairs. On its inner and outer surfaces it was shining with reliefs of the Kalpa-lata (wish-fulfilling creepers), and was resplendant all over. On four directions it (sala) was adorned with gatewayas (gopura) of silver with pinnacles (Sikhara) made of the red padmaraga gems. Each gateway was adorned with 108 mangalas like the bhṛngāra, kalasa, mirror etc, and 100 arches (torana) made beautiful with jewel ornaments. Near each gateway were placed the nine nidhis (treasures). On each side of the highways starting from these gateways were situated two natya-salās (theatres) for enacting dramas and performance of dance and music. Each theatre was divided into three compartments with shining walls and golden pillars. Heavenly damsels continued dance and music on the stage (ranga-bhumi).3
1 See, Adipurana of Jinasena, 22. 93-102, vol. I. pp. 515 ff.
Of a triangular shape, according to the explanation offered in the Adipurana, in the Hindi translation, op. cit., pp. 515 ff. See also the discussion oncaitya, stupa, stambha' in the preceding pages.
This account mainly follows Дdi-purāņa, parva 22, vol. I. pp. 514 ff,
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