The Hindu Temple v2.c11.s8.66

v2.c11.s8.66

The Āmalaka, tree of manifested deity, redeeming, supernal tree, has contributed to the temple the image of its fruit. It is raised high on the Pillar, above the trunk of the Prāsāda. Its radiance is gathered in its ring of rays, it is given additional support by images carved below it and placed above the last Bhūmi of the superstructure. Siṃhas, the four Vimāna-pālas or Guardians of the temple,¹⁹⁸ or aspects of the divinity of the temple may, but need not, be placed in this high region.¹⁹⁹ Towards the light which spreads from the Āmalaka to all the regions, the Uromañjarīs, Śṛṅgas and Latās, every shape of the superstructure of the temple is seen to ascend: progressing in series, forming vertical bands and ridges and dark narrow paths, flung toward the summit across all strata, all Bhūmis, and linking up the piers and offsets of the walls with the superstructure (Pls. XLIII, XLV, I, IV). In one competition, from the Vedi, the ground on earth, to the High Vedi of the Śikhara proceeds the ascension of the many units of form. The images cease at the height of the Face of Glory and are shown once more, below the Āmalaka.²⁰⁰ The long ascension (dūrohaṇam) has altogether been given form. On some Śikharas, moreover (Pl. XLV), a small figure of man is placed. It is outside the body of the Prāsāda, climbing the mountain of the Śikhara towards the Āmalaka and the Flag placed in the High region. It is the figure of the warrior, the Kṣatriya, the King,²⁰¹ who gains here a footing, high on the superstructure, ascending to heaven.