Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c13.s8.8

c13.s8.8

The Rāyapesenīya mentions a number of architectural terms, which show the development of the science to a great extent in those days Mention is made of Sūryābhadeva's Vimāna which was surrounded on all sides by a rampart (pāgāra) and which was embellished with beautiful cornices (kavisīsaga). In every direction there were gates (dāra) with cupola (thūbhiya) decorated with the figures of īhāmiga, bull (usabha), horse with a man's head (naraturaga), crocodile (magara), bird (vihaga), serpent (vālaga), kinnara,¹¹⁸ deer (ruru), sarabha, yak (camara), elephant (kuñjara), creeper (vanalayā) and lotus creeper (paumalayā). They had capitals (veiyā) decorated with the figure of the pair of the vidyādharas The doors had landings (nimma),¹¹⁹ foundation or pedestal (patthāna), pillars (khambha), thresholds (eluyā), bolts (indakīla), door-posts (cedā), lintels (uttaraṅga), small door bolts (sūi), joints (sandhi), sockets (samuggaya), wooden cross bolt pin (aggalā), sockets for wooden pin (aggalapāsāya), hinges (āvattanapedhiyā), and left wings (uttarāpāsaga). There were heavy doors fitting closely (nirantarīyaghanakavādā); in their panels (bhitti), there were globular bosses (bhittiguliyā) and cushions (gomānasayā) In the doors the figures of sālabhañjikas¹²⁰ in various playful attitudes were carved Then the doors had pinnacles (kūda), elevation (usseha), the tops (ulloya), lattices (bhoma), pinions (pakkha), pinion supports (pakkabāhā), cross beams (vamsa), ribbings (vamsakavelluya), panels (patthyā), thatches (ohāḍanī) and thatches under the ribbings (uvaripuñchanī).¹²¹