Stambha

Religion

In Hindu mythology, a stambha is believed to be a cosmic column that functions as a bond, joining heaven (Svarga) and earth (Prithvi). A number of Hindu scriptures, including the Atharva Veda, feature references to stambhas. In the Atharva Veda, a celestial stambha has been described as an infinite scaffold, which supports the cosmos and material creation.

In the legend of Narasimha, an avatara of Vishnu, the deity appears from a stambha to slay the asura Hiranyakashipu. The stambha has been interpreted to represent the axis mundi in this myth by Deborah A. Soifer.

Architecture

Stambhas are popularly employed in Indian architecture. Different stambhas serve different purposes, including the following:

• A dhvaja stambha (flagstaff tower) is placed opposite the main shrine, on an axis with the main deity.
• A kirti stambha (glorious tower) and vijaya stambha (victory tower) are erected to commemorate victories.
• The most well-known stambhas of India are the Ashoka Stambha (Pillars of Ashoka) — erected during the reign of Ashoka, spread across the subcontinent, bearing different types of royal edicts.
• The Adi Purana — a huge manastambha — stands in front of the samavasarana of the tirthankaras, which is regarded to causes entrants to a samavasarana to shed their pride.

Gallery

File:Tower of victory.jpg|Vijay Stambha at Chittorgarh fort File:Hutessing Temple3 Ahmedabad.JPG|Kirti Stambha of Hutheesing Jain Temple File:Ashoka pillar at Vaishali, Bihar, India.jpg|Ashoka Pillar File:Stambha of Parshwanath Jain Mandir, Belgachhiya 13.jpg|The stambha of Parshwanath Jain Mandir, Belgachhiya

References

Sources

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend () by Anna Dallapiccola.

References

1. Walker, Benjamin. (2019-04-09). "Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L". Routledge.
2. (2011-10-04). "A Global History of Architecture". John Wiley & Sons.
3. Vatsyayan, Kapila. (1997). "The Square and the Circle of the Indian Arts". Abhinav Publications.
4. Soifer, Deborah A.. (1991-01-01). "The Myths of Narasimha and Vamana: Two Avatars in Cosmological Perspective". SUNY Press.
5. Shah, Umakant Premanand. (1987). "Jaina-rūpa-maṇḍana: Jaina iconography". Abhinav Publications.