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SYMBOL WORSHIP IN JAINISM
91
At some distance inward from these theatres were placed on each side two big incense-burners (dhūpa-ghata ) issuing fragrant smoke. Still further were situated on the bye-ways, on the sides of the highroads, four forest-groves of Asoka, Saptaparņa, Campaka and Mango trees respectively with square or triangular step-wells ( vāpi) inside where heavenly damsels take their bath. At some places were lotus-ponds, at others, kriờamandapas (pavilions used as pleasure-resorts) artificial hillocks, mansions (harmya), prekșa-grhas, 1 citraśālās (picture-galleries ), eka-śālās and dvi-śālās (single-roomed or doubleroomed buildings ), ? or big palaces (maha-prāsāda). There were, again rivers with beautiful sandy-beeches, green lawns ( śādvala-bhūmi) and so on. In the Asola-vana, there was in the centre, (a Caitya-tree ) Asoka-tree on a threetiered golden platform ( trimekhalam pitham ) and encircled by three walls each with four gateways. Near it were mangala-dravyas like the chatra, cámara, bhrúgāra, kalaśa etc. The Caitya tree was adorned with bells and festoons, having on top a triple-umbrella with pearl-festoons. At its root were four images of the Jinendra worshipped by Indra and other gods, men and other beings. Similarly, the other three forests had saptaparna, the campaka and the mango tree respectively.
At the ends of the forests were golden Vana-vedikās (dais or a shed mandapa--with seats) with tall gateways. On the gateways were hanging festoons ( jāla) of bells, and wreaths (ālambaka) of pearls and flowers, ornaments and aştamangalas. In front of the vedikās were golden flagstaffs erected on high jewel platforms (pithikā). The banners (ketana or dhvaja ) were of ten types according to the marks or symbols on them--garland, garment, peacock, figures lotus, swan, eagle, lion, bull, elephant and disc. The description shows that figures of eagles, peacocks etc, rested on the top of the staff, 3
Beyond the flagstaffs, was situated a tall rampart made of silver with gateways of silver and followed by Nātyaśālās etc., described above, with for. ests of kalpa-trees. In the midst of these trees were Siddhartha-trees, having images of Siddhas placed on their bases. Beyond the gopuras of these walls, was a big highway having on both sides rows of beautiful buildings erected by celestial artists. Some had single rooms, some had double apartments, some had three while others had four (one inside the other ), some had Candraśālās (terrace.rooms) or were adorned with attālikās (balconies). There were
1 Prekşā-grahas are theatres etc. 2 Also Eka-salā = one-storeyed building. 3cf:--TECTETHETETT
:1 7: Fa: qafaqa: atapat gay RPE II
--Mahāpurāna, ( Adipuräna ), p. 526.
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