Sandakada pahana
Encyclopedia
Sandakada pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the Sinhalese architecture of ancient Sri Lanka
. It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy periods. According to historians, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra
in Buddhism
.
and Pali
literature such as the Samantapasadika
refer to the sandakada pahana as patika.
. They were only placed at entrances to Buddhist temples during this period.
The carvings of the semi circular stone slab were the same in every sandakada pahana. A half lotus was carved in the centre, which was enclosed by several concentric bands. The first band from the half lotus is decorated with a procession of swans, followed by a band with an intricate foliage design known as liyavel. The third band has carvings of four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and bulls. These four animals are following each other in a procession. The fourth and outermost band contains a carving of flames.
An invasion by Rajendra I in 1017 AD brought a large part of the country under the control of the Chola empire. The country was under Chola rule until 1055 AD, and the Sri Lankan culture was heavily influenced by South Indian customs and traditions, including the Hindu
religion. Historians believe that the reason for the removal of the bull from the sandakada pahana was because of its connection with Hinduism. The bull, the vehicle of the god Shiva
, is a venerated animal in Hinduism, and therefore was removed from the sandakada pahana since it was a place where people tread upon. The lion has also been omitted from some sandakada pahanas. The best specimen of the sandakada pahanas of the Polonnaruwa period is at the northern entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage
.
Kingdoms, the design of the sandakada pahana had changed drastically. The concentric bands were no longer there, and the shape of the once semi circular stone slab had become almost triangular. A lotus was carved in the middle of the stone slab, which was surrounded by an elaborate pattern of liyavel.
. According to Paranavitana, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra
. The liyavel symbolise worldly desires (Taṇhā
) and the lotus depicts the final achievement of Nirvana
. The elephant, bull, lion and horse depict birth, decay, disease and death respectively, while the swans symbolise the distinction between good and bad.
Architecture of ancient Sri Lanka
The architecture of ancient Sri Lanka displays a rich variety of architectural forms and styles, varying in style and form from the Anuradhapura Kingdom to the Kingdom of Kandy. Ancient Sri Lankan architecture mainly grew around religion, styles of Buddhist monasteries were in excess of 25...
. It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy periods. According to historians, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra
Samsara (Buddhism)
or sangsara is a Sanskrit and Pāli term, which translates as "continuous movement" or "continuous flowing" and, in Buddhism, refers to the concept of a cycle of birth , and consequent decay and death , in which all beings in the universe participate, and which can only be escaped through...
in Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
.
Etymology
Known in Sinhalese as sandakada pahana, it is roughly translated into English as moonstone. The name is based on its shape and design. The ancient chronicle MahavamsaMahavamsa
The Mahavamsa is a historical poem written in the Pali language, of the kings of Sri Lanka...
and Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
literature such as the Samantapasadika
Samantapasadika
Samantapasadika refers to a collection of Pali commentaries on Theravada Tipitaka Vinaya. It was a translation of Sinhala commentaries into Pali by Buddhaghosa in the 5th century. Many of the verses used in Samanthapasadika are from older Dípavamsa....
refer to the sandakada pahana as patika.
Anuradhapura period
The first sandakada pahanas were created during the latter stage of the ancient Anuradhapura KingdomAnuradhapura Kingdom
The Anuradhapura Kingdom , named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC, the kingdom's authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous...
. They were only placed at entrances to Buddhist temples during this period.
The carvings of the semi circular stone slab were the same in every sandakada pahana. A half lotus was carved in the centre, which was enclosed by several concentric bands. The first band from the half lotus is decorated with a procession of swans, followed by a band with an intricate foliage design known as liyavel. The third band has carvings of four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and bulls. These four animals are following each other in a procession. The fourth and outermost band contains a carving of flames.
Polonnaruwa period
The design of the sandakada pahana of the Polonnaruwa period differs largely from that of the Anuradhapura period. The single band that was used to depict the four animals was removed, and processions of the elephant, lion and horse were depicted in separate bands. The most significant change is the removal of the bull from the sandakada pahana. The Anuradhapura tradition of placing sandakada pahanas only at entrances to Buddhist temples also changed, and they are found at the entrances of other buildings belonging to the Polonnaruwa period as well.An invasion by Rajendra I in 1017 AD brought a large part of the country under the control of the Chola empire. The country was under Chola rule until 1055 AD, and the Sri Lankan culture was heavily influenced by South Indian customs and traditions, including the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion. Historians believe that the reason for the removal of the bull from the sandakada pahana was because of its connection with Hinduism. The bull, the vehicle of the god Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
, is a venerated animal in Hinduism, and therefore was removed from the sandakada pahana since it was a place where people tread upon. The lion has also been omitted from some sandakada pahanas. The best specimen of the sandakada pahanas of the Polonnaruwa period is at the northern entrance of the Polonnaruwa Vatadage
Polonnaruwa Vatadage
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage is an ancient structure dating back to the Polonnaruwa period of Sri Lanka. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I to hold the tooth relic of the Buddha, or during the reign of Nissanka Malla to hold the alms bowl used by the Buddha...
.
Kandy and Gampola periods
By the time of the Gampola and KandyKingdom of Kandy
Kingdom of Kandy was an important independent monarchy of Sri Lanka, located in the central and eastern portion of the island. It was founded in late 15th century and endured until the early 19th century...
Kingdoms, the design of the sandakada pahana had changed drastically. The concentric bands were no longer there, and the shape of the once semi circular stone slab had become almost triangular. A lotus was carved in the middle of the stone slab, which was surrounded by an elaborate pattern of liyavel.
Symbolism
Historians believe that the carvings of the sandakada pahana symbolise a religious meaning. The widely accepted interpretation is that of historian Senarath ParanavithanaSenarath Paranavithana
Senerath Paranavitana was a pioneering archeologist and epigraphist of Sri Lanka. His works dominated the middle-part of the 20th century. He became the archeological commissioner in 1939, following H. C. P. Bell, and D. M. de Z. Wickremasinghe in that position.He was born on 26 December 1896 at...
. According to Paranavitana, the sandakada pahana symbolises the cycle of Saṃsāra
Samsara (Buddhism)
or sangsara is a Sanskrit and Pāli term, which translates as "continuous movement" or "continuous flowing" and, in Buddhism, refers to the concept of a cycle of birth , and consequent decay and death , in which all beings in the universe participate, and which can only be escaped through...
. The liyavel symbolise worldly desires (Taṇhā
Tanha
' or ' literally means "thirst," and is a synonym for "desire" or "craving," traditionally juxtaposed with upekkha .Synonyms:*愛 Cn: ài; Vi: ái...
) and the lotus depicts the final achievement of Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
. The elephant, bull, lion and horse depict birth, decay, disease and death respectively, while the swans symbolise the distinction between good and bad.