Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c7.s1.t9.1

c7.s1.t9.1

The palaces are described in the Jain Canons as seven-storyed, adorned with towers and pinnacles and supported by many columns. They are described as lofty, touching the sky and decorated with flags, banners, umbrellas and garlands. They had domes (*thūbhiyā*) and their floors were richly studded with various gems and jewels.³⁰ The Jain texts mention several types of palaces. The *Vyavahāra Bhāṣya* refers to the palaces of Cakravartins, Vāsudevas, Māṇḍalikas and ordinary persons. These palaces are described as one hundred and eight, sixty-four, thirty-two and sixteen hands high in succession.³¹ A distinction is made between a *prāsāda* and a *bhavana*; the former is said to have belonged to gods whereas the latter to kings. A *prāsāda* was usually high and its height was double its width, whereas the height of a *bhavana* was a little less than its width.³²