Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c8.s1.28

c8.s1.28

*Skambha*, a support or pillar with a lofty height (*Uchchhraya Varshaman*) was erected on the earth as the symbol of both the absolute Brahman (*Jyeṣṭha-Brahma*) and the created cosmos (*Skambha-sūkta*, AV. 10.7.). All the worlds and all the gods reside within the *Skambha*. The pillar was regarded as the perfect symbol of the highest Creator (*Parameṣṭhī Prajāpati*). *Indra-yaṣṭi*, Pole of Indra, was a banner erected in honour of Indra, god of rain and thunder and genius of festivity and joy of the community. This was an Indo-European symbol. Its visible form being a stately forest tree raised with much eclat and ceremony. The triangle-headed banner on a post, seen on ancient Punch-marked coins of silver may be identified as *Indra-yaṣṭi* or *Vaijayantī*. Its festival was known as *Indra-maha*.