Surya is the great Sun to whose chariot is harnessed seven green horses
driven by the charioteer Arun, the Dawn. In his account of the Temple of
Surya, Hort quotes the following from a very old traveller: “The walls
were of red marble interspersed with streaks of gold. On the pavement
was an image of the radiant Divinity, hardly inferior to himself in
splendour: his rays being imitated by a boundless profusion of rubies,
pearls and diamonds of inestimable value, arranged in a most judicious
manner and diffusing a lustre scarcely endurable by the sight.” The
Hindu work AYEEN AKBERY is also quoted by the same author. In it the
temple of Surya is thus described: “Near to Jaggernaut is the Temple of
the Sun in the erecting of which was expended the whole revenue of
Orissa for twelve years. The wall which surrounds the edifice is one
hundred and fifty cubits high and nineteen cubits thick: having three
entrances. At the Eastern Gate are two very fine figures of elephants,
each with a man upon his trunk. On the West are two surprising figures
of horsemen completely armed, who having killed two elephants are seated
upon them. In front of that gate is an octagonal pillar of black stone
fifty cubits high. Nine flights of steps lead to an extensive enclosure,
in which is a large dome constructed of stone, upon which are carved the
Sun and the Stars: and around them is a border on which is represented a
variety of human figures expressive of different passions: some
kneeling, others prostrate: together with a number of imaginary strange
animals.”
Rama’s monkey army is said to have built a bridge of rocks, called the
Bridge of Adam, from the western point of India to Ceylon. Krishna, the
eighth Avatara or incarnation of Vishnu, is represented in magnificent
dress adorned with garlands of wild flowers and with strings of costly
pearls around his ankles. His complexion is blue, as is also the large
bee usually depicted flying above his head. The Avataras are all adorned
with gems, flowers and loose gauze cloaks interwoven with gold and
silver and colours, while they hold various symbols such as the Holy
Shell, the axe, rings, etc.
The antique Temple Caves of Kanhari at Salsette contain remarkable stone
carvings, some of the statues cut from the main rock being fifteen feet
high. Of these sacred figures some are adorned with helmets, others have
jewelled crowns, others great masses of hair. The famous necklace of the
King of Maabar was composed of rubies, sapphires and emeralds, and the
necklace taken from Jaipal, the Hindu King, by Mahmud (1001 A.D.) was
made up of pearls, rubies and various precious stones, the whole being
valued at over 500,000 dollars. These necklaces were regarded as
religious objects. Buddha was worshipped symbolically as a black square
stone, and the ancient Zodiac of the Buddhist has been known as the
Twelve Heavenly Jewels. This is symbolized as:
An antelope or horse (in the place of Aries)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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