Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c57.5

v1.c57.5

We have already seen that one of the types of Prāsādas as described in the S. S. is the Layana or Guhārāja or Guhādharā. We have also seen—vide Origin of Temple-Architecture, that one of the most remarkable motifs of this origin was the mountain and its caves. Cave-dwelling has been a recognised institution for meditation and communion with God in India for times immemorial. Mountains are said to be the abodes of gods. In the celestial geography of India, mountain Meru is the abode of gods in general, and Mount Kailāśa, the abode of the Lord Śiva in particular. It is on this fascinating background of our mythology and implied sagacity of the searchers after truth—and the truth in this particular context being the divine communion—Deva-milana, that a separation from whom (i. e. the gods) was effected in Tretā-yuga due to the haughtiness and mis-demeanour of the mortals—vide ‘Sahadevādhikāra’ the S. S. Chapter VI, that the abodes of denizens, the temples were conceived, planned and executed on the models of mountains.