BHAGAWAN PASUPATHINATH OF NEPAL
The Seat of Chaturmukha Siva

Later a stupa was erected, and it went by the name of Swayumbhunath; for the prime reason that the lake then had a single lotus bearing a swayambhu amidst its petals. It is visited by a steady stream of Buddhists, particularly those belonging to Mahayana school.

The Swayambhunatha - the stupa resembling a chaitya, is a grand piece of masonary work and measures about fifty feet. It symbolises the garbha or womb, standing for the creation of world. It has a square tower and is crowned by Charumani. A pair of penetrating eyes adoring each of the four sides appear like X-raying the minds of the on-lookers, seen from any side whatsoever. The awe-some eyes with long broad nose in the middle represent the eyes of Adi Buddha - the Primeval Purusha, out of whose consciousness, the whole world emerged, according the Buddhist chronicles. There is a large bronze bell supported by a circular stand and it adds grandeur to the whole structure. The mental circle lying adjoining this is called Dhatu mandal and it is inscribed with the symbols of the Buddhist twelve year circle. The image of Saraswati here goes by the name of Manjeswari; it is adored fittingly by all seeking after knowledge. Going round, and understanding the several symbols, found here, one gets impressed that Hinduism and Buddhism co-existed here peacefully and flourished blissfully. 'Hasn't Buddhism risen from Hinduism? Could it ever exist permanently without the support of its parent religion? This stupa illustrates that Buddhism did originate from Hinduism and life the old wine in new bottle with a tantalising lable, it held its sway for some time in, India and abroad.

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