Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c6.15

c6.15

“The generous Rājā at the very beginning of the undertaking, laid down eight lacs at each of the four gates . . . and announced that on this occasion it was not fitting The Sinha- to exact unpaid labour; placing therefore (due) value on the work performed, he paid lese people with money. This quadrangular palace was 100 cubits long on each of its sides and the same in height. In this splendid palace there were nine stories and in each of them 100 rooms; all these rooms were finished with silver, and the cornices thereof were set with gems. The flower ornaments appertaining thereto were also set with gems, and the tinkling festoons were of silver. . . . Having heard of the beauty of the vehicle used by the women of the Dēva Vessavaṇa, he had made in the midst of the palace, a gilded hall in the shape thereof. The hall was supported on golden pillars, representing lions and other animals as well as the dēvatās. . . . In the very middle of this hall . . . there was a marvellously beautiful ivory throne. . . . On one side there was the emblem of the sun in gold, on another, the moon in silver, and the stars in pearls. On this most exquisite throne, covered with a cloth of inestimable value, was placed an extremely beautiful ivory fan. On the footstool there was a pair of slippers ornamented with beads, and above the throne glittered the white canopy or parasol of dominion, mounted with a silver handle. The eight maṅgalika* were made of the seven gems, and amidst the pearls and gems were rows of figures of the four-footed beasts; at the points of the canopy were hung rows of silver bells. The building, the canopy, the throne and the hall were all most superb. “The King had it suitably furnished with chairs of great value; and likewise with carpets of woollen fabric; even the bowl and the dipper were made of gold. Who shall describe the other articles used in that palace? . . . The building was covered with brazen tiles; hence it got the name of ‘Brazen Palace.’”†