[98] It is also interesting, if there is a foundation of fact to the tale, that this is the temple visited by the Persian poet Saádi (a.d. 1200–1230) when he saw the ivory idol of Somanátha whose arms were raised by a hidden priest pulling a cord. According to Saádi on pretence of conversion he was admitted behind the shrine, discovered the cord-puller, threw him into a well, and fled. Compare Journal Royal Asiatic Society Bengal VII.–2 pages 885–886. That Saádi ever visited Somanátha is doubtful. No ivory human image can ever have been the chief object of worship at Somanátha. [↑]
[99] From the Prabandhachintámaṇi and the Kumárapálacharita. [↑]
[100] The head-quarters of the Dhandhuka sub-division sixty miles south-west of Ahmadábád. [↑]
[101] Another reading is Láhiní. [↑]
[102] Prabandhachintámaṇi. [↑]
भववीजाङ्कुरजनना रागाद्याः क्षयमुपागता यस्य ।
ब्रह्मा वा विष्णुर्वा हरो जिनो वा नमस्तस्मै ॥
यत्र तत्र समये यथा तथा योसि सोस्यभिधया यया तया ।