The
origin of this universe is represented as an inverted pipal tree (aśvatta) in
the Rg veḍa. (I do not have the exact reference but is said to have been
referred to as sanạtana aśvatta) Another meaning of
this word is a indicating “no” and śvatta meaning “tomorrow”. Thus the word
aśvatta indicates impermanence. It is in
the latter meaning that the front entrances of temples of south India are modeled
after the inverted aśvatta tree with narrow top and wide base.
Tilak describes this concept of aśvatta
tree based on Samkhya system as follows: “The imperceptible matter (avyaktaprakrti) is its seed. The reason
(mahat) is its trunk. Individualism (ahamkạra) is
its foliage. The mind (manas) and the
ten organs of senses and action are its hollow inside the trunk. The tanmạtra form
the five large branches and their support are the sub-branches. They are
covered by leaves, flowers and fruits which are the live forms of this
universe. All these leaves and fruits depend on the root which is above – in
the cosmos. This is brahma vrikṣa”.
The temple structure is thus a
reminder of the connection between the cosmos and the individual, the brahmạnda and
the pinda.
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