Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c11.s1.67

c11.s1.67

KADU-PUL; PARASATU. The kaḍu-pul (sword-fruit) belongs to the naga-world, and is occasionally represented on vihāra walls. The figure (33, i.) represents one drawn by D. S. Muhandiram, after one done by his father in the vihāra at Embekke dēvāle; I have seen at Keḷaniya a form more sword-like. The parasatu belongs to the god-world (divya-loka) and is the tree beneath which Śakra (Indra) is seated on his throne. It is mentioned in the Gaḍaladeṇiya rock inscription (Lawrie’s Gazetteer, p. 236). The representation of flowers which bloom on other planes, not on this earth, is of particular interest, as representing a metaphysical stage beyond even the idealization of forms here seen. The parasatu is described in verse 474 of Guttila kāvya, where it is said “The brightness of the tree shone for 200 gav around it, the scent of its flower was perceived 400 gav away.” It is also described as 400 gav in height and 1200 in circumference.