Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s8.18

c13.s8.18

The stair-cases are mentioned which were well-equipped with landings (nemma), plinth (avalambana), balustrade (avalambanalāha), etc.¹²⁵ Then the Nāyādhammakahā describes the sleeping chamber (rāgagharaya)¹²⁶ of queen Dhāriṇī as having an outer court yard (chokattha, com. lānyātundaka), polished and well-set pillars endowed with statues (sālabhañjya), bird-perches (uḍaṅka),¹²⁷ latticed windows (jāla), circular stairs (addha-canda), brackets (nijjūha), apertures (kaṇayāli, com. sūracchasaḥ), and a room on the roof called candasālika, it was coloured with the dye of clear mineral rock (dārucela), the outside was white-washed (dūmiya) with stone and therefore it had a smooth surface (ghaṭṭamaṭṭha) and the inside was decorated with pictures (cittakammi), its floor (koṭṭimatala) was richly studded with various gems and jewels and the ceiling had a canopy of painted cloth (ulloyacitta) with lotus flowers (pamalaya) and flowering creepers laden with beautiful flowers, the door-ways were beautifully decorated with auspicious golden jars, with lotus flowers inserted in the mouth and these were worshipped with sandal, the door was decorated with pratardaka (an ornament) and hung with necklaces of pearls and jewels. Fragrant incense burnt in the room and the furniture consisted of rich upholstered beds, cushions and pillows, etc.¹²⁸