The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c16.38

c16.38

splendid shrines in Orissa, Rajputâna, Khajurâho, and many other places in Central India. The râjasic Aspect of Ishwara—Vishnu—was the dominant cult of the Gupta period, as the sâttvic Aspect—Buddha or Brahmâ—had been the prevailing cult in the Mauryan period. The holy Mount of Vishnu therefore became the usual temple symbol within the boundaries of Vikramâditya's empire instead of the glorified stûpa which marked the orthodox philosophy of the Buddhist and Saivaite cults.