The Hindu Temple v1.c7.s3.6

v1.c7.s3.6

⁸⁶ The casket or vessel (garbhapātra, phelā) is a counterpart to the Ukhā, the fire pan, the womb of the Fire, equal in size with the embryo, Agni. The bottom part of this “earthen womb for the Agni” is this terrestrial world. Of this alone, the Garbhapātra is a symbol; the Ukhā comprised the three worlds, “this world”, air and heaven (Ś.B. VI, 5. 2. 3; VI, 5.2. 22). The Ukhā is placed on the Nābhi (Ś.B. VI, 4.3.10). With regard to its position, the Nidhikalaśa on the Ādhāraśilā corresponds to it. The Nidhikalaśa and the Garbhapātra are vessels of cognate origin and similar significance. According to ‘Tantrasamuccaya’, Part I, Ch. I, 102, the Garbhapātra is a symbol of the entire world. Re: gold, silver or copper, see ‘Hayaśīrṣapañcarātra’, XII, 269, ‘Kāmikāgama’, XXXI, 8-9. Re: silver, cf. also note 87.