The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c17.27

c17.27

The symbolism is the same as at Kârlê and at Nâsik. The Silpa-sâstras will help us to understand the ideas conveyed by the Ajantâ variety of the Vishnu pillar. Instead of Lakshmî’s jar of plenty, the bases of the pillars are square—*Brahmâ-kantha*. Higher up they change into an octagonal section—*Vishnu-kantha*. Still higher the shaft becomes circular or sixteen-sided, with flutings: the technical name for this is *Rudra-kantha*. So the whole shaft symbolises the Three Aspects of the One.