Trishasti Shalaka Purusa Caritra Part 1

Author(s): Hemchandracharya, Helen M Johnson
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra

Page 388

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as if set up by dharma. In front of each of the indradhvajas was a lotus-pool named Nanda, with three flights of steps with arches, filled with clear, cool water, abounding in varied lotuses, beautiful as the lotuspool containing the Dadhimukha Mountains.
405
In the broad central part of the great caitya Sinhaniṣadya was a large jeweled platform. Above it, just as in a samavasaraṇa, was a dais made of various jewels. Over it was canopy of cloth of various colors, giving the effect of a mass of twilight-clouds at the wrong time. Inside the canopy and at its sides were diamond hooks; nevertheless, the beauty of the canopy was unchecked. Garlands that were like streams of nectar were hung on the hooks, made of pearls as large as a myrobalan, to be measured by kumbhas. On the ends of the garlands were shining jeweled wreaths, like samples taken from the jewel-mines of the three worlds. On the ends of the jeweled wreaths were bright diamond wreaths embracing each other with arms of luster, like womenfriends. In the walls of the caitya were round windows made of various jewels, with curtains, as it were, produced by masses of their own light. In the windows quantities of smoke from burning aloes gleamed, giving the impression of new sapphire peaks to the mountain (Aṣṭāpada). On the dais were shining jeweled statues of the twenty-four Arhats, beginning with Rṣabha Svāmin. The images, having the respective figures, size, and color, were like the Masters in person engaged in saileșidhyāna. Sixteen of these were golden, two were lapis lazuli, two of crystal, two of cat's eye, and two of ruby. The nails of all of these Arhat-statues were of anka 406 with insets of lohitākṣa. 407 The navel, scalp, tongue, palate, śrivatsa, nipple, soles, and palms were gold. Eye
405 590. Its fruit varies from about 406 598. Some kind of white jewel. 407 598. Some kind of red jewel. 15, p. 34.
in. to 1 in. in diameter. Cf. Uttar. 36. 76.
See Uttar. 36. 76, Jñāta.