The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c11.36

c11.36

¹ Incidentally the connection of these two water-lilies with this stambha proves that the melon-shaped forms which help to compose it, technically known as *amalakas* (from *amala*, pure), are really the fruit of *Nymphæa*, which was also taken for Lakshmi's jar holding the amrita of immortality. The importance of this fact for elucidating the symbolism of the sikhara of Vishnu's shrine will be seen below (p. 63). The amalaka and Lakshmi's jar are used generally as interchangeable symbols, as they are in this stambha.