Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
•
OF
TJRUMANGALAT NiLAKANTHAN
•
MiJSAT
DR.A.ACHVUTHAN
Executive Director,
Vastuvidyap ratisthanam , Calicut.
DR. BALAGOPAL T.S. PRABHU
Professor of Architectural Engineering
Regional Engineering College , Calicut .
PREFACE
: Dr. Balagopal T.S. Prabhu. wonder, the text became popular among the acaryas as well
Copies : 1000. as artisans for the last 4 centuries. Keen interest on this
First Published : December 1998. text has been evinced by many professionals recently.
DTP Type set at : Academic Centre,
Vastuvidyapratisthanam, The uniqueness of Manu~yalayacandrika is that it gives
CALl CUT- 673 001. a systematic procedure for planning, designing and
Printed at : Geethajali Offset Prints, Feroke. constructing houses together with ancillary structures. It was
: Padma.
felt that an English version with critical comparisons and
Graphics
:
- - -
VASTUV!OYAPRATI$THANAM,
commentaries would be of great use to practitioners of the
Publishers
SARASWATHAM, KILIYANAD, profession all over India.
CALl CUT- 673 001.
For this commentary, the original text compiled from
Price : Rs.500/- palm leaf manuscripts in 1917 by Shri. T. Ganapati Sastri
0utside India $40. for the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series has been adopted.
© : Authors. • ••
•
11 ]
1ltlan u ~·ydlayacandrikiib ha~·ya1n
Manu~yalayacandrikiibha~ya1n
Brhatsamhita, Mimasara and Mayamata have been mainly
used for comparison in this critical study. Attempt has been
made to relate the content of the text with modern
engrneering theories and practices so that this book can •
• Vll
V1
Man usyalayac an drikab hasy anz Manusyalayacandrikabhasyatn
Silparatna (Srikumara) cover the temple architecture and "Srl1naizglaspada - sadasraya- nilakan!ha -
Vastuvidya
.,. (Anon) and Manu~ytila)'a c andrika (Tirumangalat Pre map rakar~ an ila yassaka lab hi vandya~1!
Nilakanthan
•
Musat) deal with domestic architecture. These four Srlmadgirindra- tanayatanayonghribhGjtim
books compiled in 13-16th centuries were preserved as palm leaf
Kamaprado jayati mattamatangajasyafl. (M.C.ch.l. sl.3. )
manuscripts till the beginning of this century. They remain the
veritable resource material on Vastuvidya, as practiced in Malabar In sl.l of ch.l of MC. he pays obeisance to the deities of
coast to this day. Narasimha andYadava installed in theRajarajamangalam temple
near Tirur, now a municipal town in Malappuram District of
Of these, Manu~yalayacandrika (MC) is the most popular Kerala. In M.C. and in Kavyollasa (which is another work of the
work among the artisans as well as sthapatis in Kerala. author), Nilankan{ha~ invokes the deities of severa~ ~e~ples
DATE
-
OF MANUSYALAYACANDRIKA
which are all in Prakasa-vi~aya (Ve.t{attunadu), Prakasavt~aya
• is the region around Tirur. Prakas'a means light, (Vettam in
In the first chapter of the book, the author mentions many Malayalam) and Vi$aya means co':!ntry, (natu i~ M~layala':").
works which formed the source material for his work. Tantra- Therefore, it can be deduced that Nilakan!han Musat ts a native
samuccaya is one of these works. This shows that MC was written of Tirumangalam near Tirur.
•
corresponding to 1426 A.D. Also , Tuncat Eluttacchan , in his Ntlakanthan Miisat has several other works to his credit. The
work HarinO.maklrtanam , invokes the bles si~gs of Nilakan[ha- •
g uru. E.luthac chan _lived in the 17th century. Therefore, it can be most important an1ong them are:
deduced that Nilakanthan Musat lived between 15th and 1. Si!pacandrika which was compiled before Manu$yZllaya-
17th century AD . · candrika:
•
CONTENTS
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION BY DR. N.V.P. UNITHIRI
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN REFERENCES r ABOUT THE TEXT AND ITS AUTHOR
-
CHAPTER -1
M.M. Mayamata.
INVESTIGATION AND SELECTION OF LAND 1
V.V. - Vastuvidya.
lnv-DvP.Itiolt/j r~ er j vlttts-s · U/ttttiolt/ D
K.A. - Kumaragama.
J· avterUtia D ; loca;tiof(;- D
M.S. - Manasara.
tYetUj lDCAJtiolt/ () IUJU/Stu near t .
B.S. - Brhatsamhita.
•
•
CHAPTER-2
P.S. - Padamasamhita.
ANALYSIS OF SITE 37
M.P. - Matsyapurana. • • •
..,... I'Uj tbi'U ()
T.S.(S) -
J
CHAPTER-4
LAYOUT AND PLANNING OF SALAS 131
- •
If~ ·~~·_1 . - U>ft.,.D
XV
X tv
-
11,11a nusyalayacandrikah hasyatn
.
~.,; order o p-rwr
. "-
o r. ~,~ . - •
. ~/-
CHAPTER-6
I nv-tJ 11/j YL..;']J
ELEMENTS OF ROOF 229
- o lar3e- $f'tUf/, ra.Ued att-ara, eavu, •
PA/terUtiu t> ; lo~tio/1/ D truu;
r · e-l mea, r, tersl UJUar . j r s. ~ ~· 11/ b housu near f4 •
•
CHAPTER-7
ANCILLARY STRUCTURES 267
j reco.....,
•
j wrt
APPENDICES
1. REFERENCES 315
2. TREES ASSIGNED TO BIRTH STARS 317 •
•
XV1
Manu~~yalayacandrikabha$ya1n
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. Page
~
INVOCATION TO DEITIES
Stanza- 1
I
'
~1\J"Id ~d~i ~1\lt~l\iiit\S·cl~l't~ II
'
In the Rajarajamangala temple, there shines profusely
the unified eternal energy (tejas) in the twin forms of
•
Narasintha and Yadava (Krsna) .
Stanza- 2
•
: 'tR
~ ICll ~ I fi)J -:q tll f12) ll oil ~ d ~ i 'I t-t'fl f4 ~I~ I C1 ~ I
•
3l~~~~«t~Cn~sftr ~ ~Cn~Cttl~~·
II
Let the uitimatetejas shining profusely at Trikkandiyur,
Trprangot, Nava (Tiru1ta_vaya temple), Mullappalli, Alattur
and Srikeralapura together fill my mind, which is engaged
in the enlightening topic (of Vastusastra).
Stanza- 3
~~\S·~J cll fqC: '(iC: J~ll41 c;JCf)Od -
'
~~~Ch~~cllt: '(iChC'tlfllCI· ~: I
3
-
A1anu~'Y aLay a can d rik ab h a~'Y a1n
temples referred to in the second stanza are all near and
around Tirumangala. Different deities like Siva, Mukunda,
Hanuman are worshiped in these temples. The author gives
I equal reverence to all of them.
Enshrined i11 Srlnza1zgala (Tirumangala) ksetra, the •
elephant-faced Gafzda, who is the refuge of good people, Since it is customary to invoke the blessings of Gal)esa
who is beloved of Siva, who is worshipped by all, who is the (who clears all obstacles) at the beginning of any auspicious
son of revered Ptirvati and who grants the wishes of the act, the author invokes the presiding deity ( Gaoesa) of
Tirumangala (fig.01.01 ). The statement that he is writing
devotees, remains with glory.
the book with purity of mind (atmasudhya) indicates that his
Stanza- 4 objective is only to impart knowledge to the children
(uninitiated) and not to gain glory, favour or wealth. In one
ct~CIYIGChii~Cf>x=tiil~: Cfil- version of the text, the word, 'atmabudhya' is used in place
S I of 'atmasudhya'. In this case, it can be interpreted that he
' is writing the book not in obedience to the direction of some
fcl ~I q ~ .l?>lli q ;{1 ~~ kli ~~<11- patron (as was vogue in those days) but out of his own free
+JCJ~ ~lclfcl6(JtF{ ~ II will. Both versions mean that he has no selfish motive in
' writing the book. The book is written in the great and noble
One, whose only refuge is the lotus feet of that deva Indian tradition of giving knowledge for the welfare of the
(viz. Ga!ze§a) and who is engrossed in different fields of world without any selfish motive.
kno\¥1edge through the kindness of his preceptor (gztru),
becomes engaged in the teaching of children with purity of OBEISANCE TO PRECEPTORS
mind. Stanza- 5
............................. ~ ft)tiOJJ ll<fl~-
Commentary (Stanzas 1, 2, 3 and 4)
~~rJ""rht-;:;tr;:r;:r;:r: ~ _......sfq 1
In these 4 stanzas, the author invokes the blessings of
the presiding deities of the temples in and around his native
~ ~~...,........,1"'""'1"'1"· Ji ~ 41tt +I I~=t 1-
place. This is a custom followed by all authors of Samsk(t n;:r;:r:r:n TT':J":[]';::I1r:l'TT~"t;.r.::;::rn II
texts in the early days. '
I bow at the extremely holy lotus feet of those people
The author was born at Tirumangalam near Trprangot with great minds, whose intellects are engrossed in the vedas
temple in the present Tirur taluk of Malappuram district of and according to whose in1agination even the Supreme Lord
Kerala State. Since he begins the narration with the manifests his form.
'
invocation of the Supreme Being manifested as the twin
deities of Narasimha and Krsna
• • •
at the Rajarajamangala (now Commentary
known as Rairamangala) temple, it is to be assurned that
Here the au th or bows before his preceptors for whom
those two deities were his istadevatas
• •
(beloved Gods). The
5
4
Manusyiilayacandrikdbhii~yatn Manu~yalayacandrikiibha~yanz
•
•
atn
applicable all over India. Commentary
Any person who wishes to construct a building should
The practice of listing the references was not common
take the advice of a noble person, well-versed in the science
in ancient Indian texts. But this author has acknowledged
of building and related topics. The owner being a layman,
all the references
may not be in a position to properly analyse and balance
THE ROLE OF AcARYAS his requirements and resources and to select skilled
craftsmen and building materials. Therefore, the advice and
Stanzas- 9,10
guidance of an acarya ·are necessary in selecting the plot
¥i ("ll'f f4 MIf4 CJ UT fiif ~ ll"rl:CJ~::rtf4*crr:::rl-=l~ <T: Xl ~ and the team of builders. The acarya's advice will be proper
and unbiased because he is endowed with all good qualities.
I
Ws"li dGct ot<flJ<Ji In the design of buildings, the owner (yajam8.na), the
' adviser (acarya) and the master-builder (sthapatl) have
ctlxm: ~~~x~th~~~ : ct>l~~= ct>l'!~a 11 specific roles. The text Vastuvidya (Ref.01.03) compares
them to Vi?nU · , Rudra and Brahma respectively, the trinity
CtGIJiillf4f4~di~Cit. ~,. :
of Indian theology.
Cf>llif : ~=tCf>cl~ct~'!lcllll~l~ I
' The yajamana feels the necessity for the building and later
d 1ct I CRI ct : '<=t Cf> &I tll Ji Xj llt=;~::rr.:r - arranges the materials and the money for its execution. The
acarya is the guide who conceives the design suitable to the
~ Cf>IXlip~tt II
status (varaa) and requirements of the owner and selects a
Wh~n any pers;>n belonging to the vartzas starting master-builder (architect-engineer viz. sthapati), who will
~rom ~rahma~za (brahma~za, k$atriya, vais'ya, and siidra) transform the concept into reality with the help of the craftsmen.
~~ ~es1rous of building a house, he must first accept an
acarya (learned preceptor), who is associated with the GUILD SYSTEM (SRENI) IN BUILDING TRADE
locality and who has all the (required) virtues. Then after Stanzas- 11, 12
selecting the plot suitable for the class of the person who
seeks his advice, he (the acarya) should perform the rites x~ q ~: (f&1Cbxi ~I ~1 :q ct~f&;: Sbli ~I:
of worship (of viistzt) and get the building constructed ~:ciJ~dCf>4fUt G~ !:11~\Q l~"(l Cbi'!CI~ II
according to the prescriptions in the texts by skilled '
craftsmen. It is the acarya, who should give the ~icf~llf?ff4 ~dfml114 c: ...:;)
10 ll
Man usya layac andrikab ha~y a1n •
1\1anu~yalayacandrikah ha _·ya1n
•
The four classes of builders viz . .sth~pati, siitragriihi, Know thatsthapati is the one competent to dosthapa11a
J aki each one adept In h1s work, are to be (layout and design). Then eitl1er his son who is almo t equal
ta k sa ka, and Vard 1 '
selected systematically. to the sthapati in all qualities or the desciple who correctl
follows the thinking of the sthapati is the sutragrahi
Let the one, who is adept in the techniques prescribed (supervisor). Tak~aka is so called because he is engaged in
in all texts, whose mind is always calm, who is pure and reducing and shaping the materials (or construction). He
~ightful, who is free from unfair competiti?n and who speaks should always have a happy mind. One who is clever and
only truth, be the sthapati (architect-engmeer). careful in joining together 'vood etc. is called vardl1aki.
Commentary (Stanzas 11 and 12 ) Commentary
For the craftsmen engaged in the design and execution The sutragrahi is the site-supervisor. He should be abte
of buildings, a four tier classifications is prescribed. Each to understand the sthapati properly and see that the latter's
class had specific and distinct responsibilities and roles. ideas are transformed into concrete form. He may be the
Sthapati is the master-builder who makes the design and son or a desciple of the sthapati. His job is to ensure that
coordinates the works of the other builders. He should know the parts of the building are properly joined and aligned and
all the sciences including mathematics, climatology, to supervise the work of the craftsmen of the next two
geography, geology, material science etc. In addition to this, classes. Sutra is the thread and sutragrahi is one who holds
he should be perfect in body and mind, righteous, kind, the threads for alignment.
warm-hearted and free from malice and unfair competition.
Only such a person will be able to properly weigh all the aspects Tak$aka is the one who shapes the building materials
impassionately and take proper decisions without bias, and like stone, wood, metal etc. into forms suitable for building.
Vardhaki is the joiner who increases (v[dh) by joining
co-ordinate the work of others. Other texts also stresses the
together the different materials and parts shaped by the
important role of sthapati (Ref. 01-04,05). He is comparable
taksaka to form the building.
to the architect-engineer of the present day. The stringent •
standards of physical, intellectual and moral qualities This system of classification appears to have evolved
prescribed for the sthapati indicate his key role in the from the vedic times, when timber was the major construction
vastusthapana. His profession is elevated from the mundane material. Timber work is mainly an assembly process.
level to the realm of dharma. Probably this is the reason why the building science is called
Stanza- 13 TaccuSf:J.stra ( Tak~akaSistra) in Kerala The elements are
shaped by tak~aka, joined together by vardhaki aligne
\ilt41llta ~~~q~~~ x~qfft~~ : 1'11ll~t~fl~ :::r:::1T: SUtragrahJ and erected With due regard to the rien a ion
'
stability and strength by sthapati. Thi cia ifi i n
carried forward even when stone becon1e a n1 · r L il 1
Ch~d: xi·,td material.
crctr?T;~rr*JJ-;:r.l'TJ"::I~r::rt C1 tf f4> : fll C1 tt I~ : I I This four tier systen1 can be con1 r tt
12
•
Manusya.layacandrikabllasya1n
• •
15
Manu~yalayacandrikablza$ya1n Manu ~t;;yalayac andrikab ha~yatn
CALL FOR QUALITY CONTROL
Stanza- 15 building and the yard as well as details and pre cn~tion
for ancillary structures should be done sy tematJcally
(krameiJa ).
Commentary
Those who live in houses that are built against the
canons will surely meet with ill fate. Hence from the This prescribes that the various steps in the construction
beginning to the end, (building) work sho~ld. be done should be done systematically. A flow chart can be constructed
deciding every aspect (according to the prescriptions). to guide the process as shown in fig.01.02
mentioned here are wastage of materials, time and money The land, rich with the presence of cattle, u
and also inconvenience and anxiety. Lack of proper planing beings, flowering and fruit-bearing tree and tre
and disregard for the prescriptions will lead to these extruding milky sap, level, loping toward ea t, 1 o
undesirable effects. producing good sound (while walking or tamping), ·· t
water flowing in clockwise dire f on cau i e
LOGIC FLOW IN CONSTRUCTION
germination of seeds, well compacted, ha i p re \
tl\! oft q{l~ very good. If the characteri tic are opp ·te t
mentioned) the land is aid to be bad and ·r •
' •
J>:q I mixed, it is said to be in between (good and b .
til ' ·I r rmmr1trtt~~;r.;t::nr.~::r;rD"T";:tt_
Commentary
'
"41\S·llff;J (;!JtiJf4tllJ.Q_~ ct~J fc)itlJI : II
'
Th e desirabl e biotic, terrain, hydrologic, and climatic
There (in the matter of building construction), conditi ons are en umerated in this stanza.
different methods of investigation of the land, fixing the
cardinal directions, adopting propitious vithi for the _Of th e fo_u r classes of vastu -,land, building, vehicles,
16 furn1tu re (bhumi, harmya, y8na, sayana), the land is very
17
Man u~ya,layac andrikab ha~y am Manu~ya.layacandrikabha~yatn
Foundation, Basement, Materials The land should slope downwards to east. This is
Wall, Entablature, Neck, Rules probably to ensure that the rising sun is visible from the
Roof, Finial Requirements house. 'Vastuvidya' mentions that the east slope and north
"'...,.
.I
slope are good (Ref.01.08).
Stages of Work of craftsman
Construction Land with loose soil, filled up ground v;ith voids, rocky
Co-ordination of work
II surfaces and marshy or wet conditions will not produce good
'
Ancillary sound when treaded upo'n or tamped. Hence the prescription
Social and Family
Structures Requirements that the land should give good sound when one walks over it
ensures good ground conditions. This is a quick field test.
"
~
I
Grhapravesa Soil which causes quick germination of seeds is good
FIG.01.02 CHART SHOWING THE LOGIC FLOW OF for vegetation. A level ground requires no levelling
CONSTRUCTION operations and hence economical.
18 19
- -
Manu~~yalayacandrikabha~ya1n
M anu~yalayac andrikab ha~yam
For testing the consolidation of soil, a pit with one
square hasta area and one hasta depth is dug and then known as v7thivTny8sa. For this, the plot should be square.
filled up with the excavated soil. Excess soil (bahupamsu) Plots which are not square can be analysed by these
indicates good consolidation. This test is identical to the methods by taking a convenient square plot in it or, in the
field density determination used in modern geotechnical case of small plots, by taking the largest square that can be
engineering practice. Availability of perennial source of inscribed in the area. Thus it should be taken that the
potable water was a necessary condition in those times when prescriptions with regard to the shape given in this stanza
centralised water supply systems were not in vogue. is only a general directive and not a strict condition.
•
SITE TO BE AVOIDED The presence of ash, cinder, bones, hair etc. indicates
the probability of the land having been used for sacrificial
Stanza- 18
altars (yagabhum!) or as burial ground or as dumping
~"Tt.t::;:rt::rm ~ q-=>-1:1 \! '<=t CJ>) o11 -,:rr::7""Q'T1nT':;:t~_ ground. Vermins and anthills can cause trouble either due
to the attack of vermins and termites or due to bad
' •
foundation conditions. Depression in the middle will cause
: x=t~a1 stagnation of water. Cavities will make the foundation weak.
Cl Gtll ¥0ft2J ~ d I ~t';:r;:r":JT f4 ~I f4 ~ CR~ I~ ~ I I Foul smell may be due to decaying of organic matter and
indicates an unhealthy filled up area. So sites with all these
Land with circular, semi-circular, triangular,
characteristics are to be avoided (Ref.01.09).
pentagonal, hexagonal, spear- like and of winnowing basket
shapes, formed like the back of fish, elephant and tortoise, Since the building should face only one of the cardinal
a~pearing like the face of a cow, having presence of ash, directions, the sides of the plot should preferably be along
cmder: husk, bones, hair, vermins and ant-hill, depressed in the cardinal directions. Plots with sides oriented to corner
th~ mid~le, or having cavities, foul-smelling and not- directions (vidik) are not auspicious.
onented In the cardinal directions, shall be avoided.
Thus the detailed prescriptions given in this stanza are
Commentary practical hints to avoid lands which cause problems in
analysing and developing them.
Odd sha~es ar_e not good. A rectangular shapes with
south-north drmensron greater than west-east dimension is DESIRABLE AND UNDESIRABLE SLOPES OF LAND
prefe:red so th~t a square can be easily marked from it for Stanza- 19
the sr_te analysrs based on padaviny8.sa or v7thiviny8sa e-;:c~i'llt;~r:rrrr.:tt '=rt::T::I-:TT'1::rTT;::I"T;::::1r::rr :::rt Sf> 1=1 IC:
descnbed subsequently.
'
~·111(1~·1ftll•lii~C1lll: I
The ana.lysis of the plot is done generally on the basis
'C1 tl ~ t51 ~·<II~~~~ Sl GI
frrst method rs called padavinyasa and the second one is
, tlx~ttl+! II
2()
21
Man u~yalayac andrikab hafy am Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyam
•
The lands sloping in the eight directions, starting these periods, the result will be as mentioned earlier (in
from the one low in east and high in west, are called stanzas 19 & 20).
gov[:thi, agnivithi, yamavithi, bhiitavithi, jalavithi, Commentary
nagavtthi, gajavithi, and dhanyavzthi. To those who occupy -
such lands, these will give prosperity, loss of wealth, loss V8stuvidya also classifies the land into 16 types according
of life, loss of property, poverty, loss of children, wealth to the slope (fig.01.03). This may be to indentify the land with
and welfare in that order. different slopes or it may be merely to indicate the directions
Stanza- 20 from a reference point. In B.rhatsamhita, it is stated that slopes
in all cardinal directions are acceptable, provided of course the
!'let l~i~ I 'itll~d I tl~~ drainage conditions are satisfactory. Ground slope towards east
+t tlltl ~ d I et.;:r:r.r:lr;:rrB r;:r:::~ I and north is highly emphasised by vastu pundits. The
importance given to ground slope may have mystical meaning;
~~~;::r:;:r~ tl ~3ft
it may as well be a system of classifying land by different names.
!'II iJ oI ~ I ~ ~ lllfi cl !'I ~ I ~=ttl d I I The weightage gives to different ground slope may also be a
' ' means of fixing priority in site selection and thus a decision
The land with central depression will cause out -
making tool. The beneficial effect of ground slope, apart from
migration and that with raised middle will cause loss of
that of drainage, is to intercept solar radiation or to get protection
wealth and happiness. The land sloping (down) towards
from it.
south-east (Agni) corner and to north-west (Vayu corner)
will cause poverty. Brhatsamhita prescribes that the lands sloping towards
Stanza- 21 north, east, south and west are good for the brahmaras,
k$afriyas, vaisyas and sudras respectively.(Ref.01.1 0). This
+tanot:lttti tr~=xti 3'1~1i+t~ ~ ~~ ................... <~II~ is practically zoning different classes into definite areas around
'
the central Brahmasthala, which in villages used to be occupied
' by a temple. This allows good drainage conditions. This is
ffl~'<511~ tl'!fUta&l ctt'6Ul fllld ~
' elaborated further in stanzas 29 and 30 of this chapter.
~tft~CJ>ltettCcht: ~I'!G ~ aa: 'r<!1 d>~,q 4><'i fllld II
' ' THE POSITION OF TREES IN THE COMPOUND
If the house is first built on land raised in the middle
Stanza- 22
and in the east, there will be prosperity for ten years. If •
construeted on land high in south-east or south, there will
•
'l'"r'+.............. ere~T.T ~ sctl ill I --rn,~~-
f
be progress for 100 years, if the south-west corner is high, iiit ->TU '(] ft'l rq cii a'6 : ff t<1 -c.\J G1 sfit : 1
the prosperity will be for 1000 years and if the west side
c6l~lll ~~I ~ttl=<ifStttd~: ~&f~T:f . 'lf~l:
is high, there will be progress for 500 years. On other
slopes, the prosperity will be for 12, 8 or 6 years. After ~r:::r:::tt Sf> Jt I d I I
'
22 23
ManusyalayacandrikabhasyaJn Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyam
Stanza- 23
NW
3TJtil~Sfi~lt~ CJ>~Rt iSI~I ~lff: l>lttiG!>IGl
E ·ll!ittr: : I
• ~=t •m(t> st Rt ~ Cf) r~ al =<* CJ rq ~ a :q 1.-il '3l'rT1~:rt:h'T-
'
E II
When located in positions opposite to what has been
I
mentioned (above), aswatha will cause fire, plaksa (will
1
........... J 10 ...........
9
cause) several types of insanity, banyan tree (will cause)
5. 9. YAMA 13. JALA
1.GAJA
., - GO
- blow by weapons of enemies, and udunzbara (will cause)
2. DIRGHAYUS 6. APATHA 1 0. ARGALA 14. PITAMAHA
3. DHANA 7. AGNI 11. BHUTA
- -
, , _ 15. NAGA
stomach trouble. They (such trees) and the trees which
•
4. PUNYAKRT
••
8. ROGAKRT
• 12·. SMASANA 16. SUPATHA •
are located at distances from the house less than their
FIG.01.03 CLASSIFICATION OF LAND ACCORDING TO SLOPE heights should be cut, even if they are of gold.
•
Stanza- 24
_s
24
Manu~ya.layacandrikabha~yam
Man usyizlayac andrikab ha~y am
•
On the two sides and rear of the building, Srivrksa, (Euphorbia neriifollia), piSticadruma (?papaya, Carica
•
(Gmelina arborea), bilwa (Aegle marmelos), abhaya papaya), hemadugdha (Argemone mexicana) are not
(Terminalia chebula), konna (Cassia fistula), Indian desirable any where. Moringa (Moringa oleifera) too is
gooseberry (Phyllanthus embilicca ), deodar (Cedrus deodar), undesirable inside the boundary.
I /
paliisa (Butea frontosa), asoka (Saraca asoca), sandal
PLAKSA MANGO
(Santalum album), punnaga (Calophyllum inophyllum), •
(F microcarpa) (Mangifera Indica)
asana (Pte rocarpus marsupium), canzpaka (Michellia -
NAGA
SAPTACCHANDA
champaka) and khadira (Acacia cateche) are propitious. (Ezhilampala (Mesua ferrea)
- Alstonia schlaris)
Similarly all varieties of plantains (Musa sp. ), jtiti (Myristica ~
(antassara), tamarind, teak etc. have hardwood throughout FIG.01.04 RECCOMMENDED PLANTING OF TREES
the cross section, (sarvasara ), palm, coconut, areca etc. are AROUND A HOUSE
strong in the outer section (bahissara), nzoringa (Moringa
oleifera),saptacchada,sukataru (Albizia), kimkuka (Erythrina
variegata) etc. are softwoods (nissara). Out of these, the first
ones (hardwood inside) should be planted in the inner circle, ..................
.. . .
. . .... ........
............
•. •....
•..
.
•••••••••• •... •.•...•.. . •. .•...• 1 2 3 4
sarvasaras outside them and the rest outside both.
•
.............
•............
•• • ••• •••
............. ••
·.·.·.·.•
.• .....·.·.·.• .....·.•.······••·
t • • • • • • • • •
·~
• •
....·,.·.·.•.•.·
• •
.....•...•....•·.-·.......•
• •
Stanza- 26
~~~:h' ~:-::r;"~:-rr:::~rr.:.t-::r~ til II d Cb I :I •
•
~ : ~icf?l : II -
•
2. Sarvasara trees
1. Antassara
trees
3. Bahissara trees 4. Nissara trees
KaTaskara (Strychnos nux-vomica),aruskara (Semecarpus
anacardium ), kantakidruma (Flacourta jangomas ), ;lesnlataka
. - FIG.01.05 RELATIVE LOCATION OF TREES
(Cordia dichotoma), rudrak~a (Elacocarpus sparicus), pilu BASED ON THEIR STRUCTURE
(Salvadroa persica), nimba (Azadiracta indica), Snuhi
26
Man u~yalayac andrikah ha~y a1n
Commentary (Stanzas 23,24,25 and 26) RESTRICTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES
NEAR TEMPLES
These verses give the desirable and undesirable positions
of trees in the compound. The auspicious trees and their
•
Stanza- 27
positions are given in fig.01.04. Trees with thick foliage are to •
~~CI~'i~~stc:l ~~o) TJT-
be planted in the north side to resist the cold winds from north.
Trees which shed leaves (eg. tamarind) and trees without thick : I
foliage (eg. areca) are to be planted in the south side to allow Pl~<t~cl~ +tj'itiJ~ c;ffl1uls"!ts~ d'(IIJ-
sunlight during winter months (when the sun is in the
southern hemisphere). Fruit-bearing trees are generally of ~ath:ci ~tefll~ PICbet=tftl dG·~?I d{qiG~I\Jtl+t II
'
antassara type and can be planted near the building. Of
Houses in the rear and left side of Visnu
,. and in the
course, no tree should be planted very near the building
front and right sides of Kali, Narasimha, Siva and all other
lest they cause damage to the building in case they fall.
fierce deities will cause misfortunes. If the deity is placed
Trees whose contact causes allergy (eg. aruskara- Ceru in
Malayalam) and certain trees which are not auspicious (eg. in a low location, houses in the right and front sides are
karaskara -Strychnos nux- vomica), pisacadruma (Carica not auspicious and, therefore, high position (of houses
papaya), cactus (Euphorbia nivulia) should not be planted with respect to the temple ) is not desirable. For those
anywhere in the plot. who depend on 'Him' (deity), proximity (of house) is
permissible but only in other locations (viz. locations
Depending on their structure, the trees are classified
other than that indicated as bad).
into 4, according to the position of hard wood: antassara
(hardwood at core), bahissara (hardwood outer side), Commentary •
28 29
•
•
•
Manusyalayacandrikabha$yam Man U$yalayac andrikab ha~y am
•
OTHER ZONING RESTRICTIONS Lands which have grass varieties such as kusa, darbha
• Stanza- 28 (lmperata bipinnata), durva (Cynodond actylon), akasa
•
(Arundo donax ), length equal to or 1/8, 1/6 or 1/4 more
&i?ll~~ ctl clt~\ilclfEI ~cna1 4tttJ II'! Jnt0- ..• •
than the width, (with soil having) white, red, yellow and
!11 '"I Icft ~I 'i J1 ct If:Q1 Cf> ¥Of q Cb ~, d. ~ Cf>tll
:.,:)
'D"t::;:r:t I •
•
•
black colour, smells of ghee, blood, cooked rice, alcohol and
+t ~ ~ C: T:.t1~-:::r:j· ~=t 4 err have sweet, bitter, sour, hot tastes, are good for brahmanas
•
an~ other categories in the order (brO.hmaiJ.as, k~atriyas,
o~•IIG'Rj;;>Jd T.f ~.oclf4fEI~ti ~IilJa Odi4lllll vaisyas and siidras)
For residences, close proximity to paddy field, Stanza- 30 •
mountain, temple, ocean, river, hermitage, cattle-shed etc. I 14 !'II 0 Ii C'\~~~"""'"'f\T~........,.1-.-, ~:q Id
.........- - -...-
DESIGNATION OF SITES FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES Classification of land for the 4 categories of people is
•
shown in table.01.01. The classification is based on the
Stanza- 29 habits and work of the different classes. Perhaps this was a
broad system of designation of land into 4 types based on
the shape, soil type and vegetation conveniently categorised
as brahmaaa's land, k~atriya's land etc. The nomenclature
was only an aid for prioritising. Later it came to be adopted
for the four varnas into which Indian society was divided.
•
This however, served as a way of zoning of land for different
30 31
Man u~yaJayac andrikab ha;y a1n
varnas (see also the commentary on stanza 21 of this •
Stanza- 32
•
etc. and sudras may require land for farming, work sheds I fchuRwtta: ~cftQJ fciR.lq~a \itlJlG
etc. Hence these two categories get larger plots. The '
prescriptions also ensured that one social group will not
displace another from its habitat, by power or money. After excavating a pit (1 hasta square and 1 hasta deep),
•
place a raw earthen vessel filled with grains and cover it
TABLE.01.01
with another earthen vessel. Pour ghee and with chanting
CLASSIFICATION OF LAND ACCORDING VARNAS ofhymns, light wicks of white, red, yellow and black colours
Charactertistic Brahmanas Ksatriyas Vysyas Sudras respectively pointing to the four cardinal directions starting
with east (in clockwise direction). The land is suitable for
Herb Kusa Oharbha Durva Aka sa
that category whose wick continues to burn after some time.
!-~. Length to If all wicks burn, it is suitable for all.
Width ratio 1 11 /8 11 /6 11 /4
Stanza- 33
Colour of soil White Red Yellow Black
Smell of soil Ghee Blood Cooked rice Alcohol '
Taste of soil Sweet Bitter Sour Hot ~IG~OlJlJRf: ~1{ ~t:FHti ltEI·lt~ ~f~tttt I
Ground sloping ~a<=~~ '<if~a · -4~Fw~d
down to North East West South : II
•
In the pit filled with water place flowers like droiJa. If
OMENICAL TESTS OF SITE SELECTION the flowers travel clockwise, it is propitious; it they travel
Stanza- 31 anti clock wise, it is not good. If the flower settles at any
cardinal direction, it is good, but if it settles in the angular
v .. j(~lfaclCJuf41lJI I direction, it is not good. Knowing these good and bad omens,
•
mixed, such a land should be avoided by all. Land with The stanzas show that much importance was attached
unknown characteristics should be tested with omens to selection of the site. For the selection of land, three
in the night. processes are prescribed: reconnaisance, investigations and
32
Man u~yalayac andrikab hasy am Manu~ydlayacandrikabha~yam
examining the omens. It has been mentioned in stanza 18 is also not ~related to any particular va,..na
I~.
All th · d.
ese rn 1cate •
that odd shapes are not desirable. Undulated ground and that omenrcal tests were a later addition to the · f
·t • scrence o
ground with central mount or depression are also not good sr e se 1ect1on.
•
because these may cause stagnation of water, additional
.It has also been stated by Var8hamihira in Brhatsamihita
expenses in levelling etc.
t~at 1f the ow~er likes a site, then the investigations can be,
.'
Investigation of the herbs and trees will indicate the • I
. dispensed w1th and the site accepted (Ref.01.11 ). This
fertility of the soil. The time required for germination of seeds me~ns that .the. owner's intuition and also his belief that the
•
will show moisture content and the extent of pests. The parttcular s1te IS suitable for achieving his wishes are of
presence of rodents, reptiles, birds etc. in the site also will paramount importance. Moreover, even a site with
give an indication regarding its suitability. Sthapathi, who I undesi.rable characteristics can be made better by levelling
should be well versed in all sastras should be able to judge • operations and landscaping including planting suitable trees
the quality of land from these observations. Similarly, the ~nd herbs. Therefore, Var8hamihira may be taken as a guide
sthapati is expected to walk around in the site to find out 1n the present day context in the mattter of selection and
• •
whether there are cavities in the soil. development of the site for building .
filling the excavated pit (of 1 hasta cube) with water and
observing the decrease in water level after the sthapatiwalks •
The examination of the omens is done in addition to 01.02 ";{ -:q d$11 -;:r -;r Tf ={)Si~:q di\!Cbl: I
the elaborate reconnaisance and investigations. This may
•
~a-gr.;n ~\!I cl4 ~:q~ ~Cb\!'iu) II M.P.
be due to fact that in those days, when all aspects could not '
be tully investigated and rationally assessed, recourse to ' '
01.03
omens was necessary to assure oneself with the correctness •
' , ..
of what one is doing. It may however be noted that the
omenical tests were given only low importance as compared ••
34
35
Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyam
• •
'
•• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••• • • • • • ••••
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •••••
M.M., II -1 0 - 18
: ~i'!CI?I tf:;:r'Jcr::n-'frr'I]' II
'
B.S., Llll - 61
36
Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha.syam
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. • Page CHAPTER-2
02.01 AVANATA FOR LEVELLING 39
S~211ll:
02.02 FIXING CARDINAL DIRECTIONS BY SUN-SHADOW
METHOD 43
ANALYSIS OF SITE
I
39
Manu $yalayacandrikab ha~yam Manu ~yaJayac andrikab ha~y am
The first half of this stanza describes the levelling Commentary
operation (samlkaraQa) using instruments or water line. The
common levelling instrument used is the A-frame (avanata) The fixing of the gnomon (sanku) is called sankus-
(fig.02.01 ). The texts describe in detail the procedure for thapana. As this is the first act to be done in the construction,
making the A frame. The A frame should be calibrated with it is considered as important. Moreover fixing the gnomon
reference to the water level in a pit. For this a pit is filled is necessary in determining directions, which is basic to
with water and two poles are fixed in the pit such that their proper orientation of building. Therefore auspicious time is
, -
tops are in level with the still water level. The two-inclined selected for sankusthapana. The fixing of the gnomon and
limbs of the frame are placed on these poles such that the marking the cardinal directions are to be done either by the
vertex is at top. Then from the vertex a cord with a plumb •
sthapati himself or by his disciple. Mayamata recomends
bob is suspended. The line where the cord touches the base the morning time in suklapak~a of uttarayana (Dec.23 to
is marked by a chisel. June 22)(Ref.02.03) for this act.
Either the entire land is levelled or at least an area of 1 FIXING THE CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
dao(ja square (2.88m x 2.88m) should be levelled in the Stanza- 3
middle of the plot for s'ankusthapana (tanmadhye
daf)c;iamatram va). The gnomon described in this stanza is -~-1~-~~
.....iS-.. . . .II"""''"'tl......l !lr"'l"nY"''-r+ \Cl Cl ~ d ~ GQt S ~Cb fihq I
for demarkating the centre of the plot and for use in
t1'1';T.~ qf~~'ix~i 'iltti ?) . I
determining the cardinal directions as described in the
subsequent stanzas. The height of 112 hasta prescribed is -qr~:q Ifit S~!'T'Y'C~Ch;:r"m"' "-CJ f4 ~ Ill I~- Cb dt ~ d ~l '!-
the height above ground. The actual length should be more '
than this for fixing in the ground. Mayamata describes that •
lll· <l+ffl I~
sanku may be of ivory, sandal wood, khadira wood (Acacia With a calm mind, the intersections of the shadows
catechu), Sami wood (Propsopis julisflora) or saka ( Tectona of the top of the gnomon with the circle should be marked
gramdis) wood (Ref.02.02). This only means that strong
on the west side in the morning and similarly on the east
material should be used.
( - side in the evening. Then next day also, the intersection
SANKUSTHAPANA should be marked on the western side. After that, divide
Stanza- 2 the distance between the two points on the west side into
3 parts and mark the one-third point nearest to the
'(ji! \I If I previous day's intersection. This is the right point there
~Cl~llld II (i.e. west).
Stanza- 4
After describing a circle with a radius equal to twice
the length of the gnomon and correctly observing the centre ...._.....~ • ......n-~-TT"MM'"rl-::1' ~~ q~Cf>f&tld "lRf I
'""". '
of the circle, here the gnomon has to be fixed firmly. ~r-:::r:-::~-n:n~::r;r.r::nl-rr --~I"""Y"'""ITTTTwt .....-.-..&~ I JOt II
'
4() 41
Manu~yiilayacandrikabha$yam Manu~yaJayacandrikabha~yaJn
Thus what have been decided on the previous and next
••
days, the line joining these two points will correctly generate
• •
-
Stanza- 5 2M
•• ••
lE
PATH
+,.,. . . - -- 1M
' -- - --
I/
MORNING SHADOW
Commentary (Stanza 3,4 and 5) · EVENING SHADOW
OF SECOND DAY r
OF FIRST DAY
The procedure for marking the cardinal directions
described in stanzas 3 and 4 is shown in fig. 02.02. After
levelling the ground, a gnomon (sanku) of height (above
the ground) half hasta (36cm) is driven into the ground (A).
With P as centre and one hasta radius, a circle is described
on the ground. The points where the shadows of the tip of
the pole touch the circle in the forenoon and in the afternoon
are marked. The line joining these two points (W 1 ,E 1 ) gives
the approximate W-E directions. Due to the declination of
the sun (uttarayana and dak~if}ayana), the shadows of the ..
tip of the pole do not fall on the same points next day. In
order to get the correct direction, the point where the shadow
of the tip of the pole touches the circle next day morning FIG.02.02 FIXING CARDINAL DIRECTIONS BY SUN-SHADOW METHOD
(W2 ) is also noted. If the sun is in uttarayana, this point will
be to the south of the precious days' point and if the sun is
-
in dak$if)ayana this point will be to the north of the last day's
42 43
Man u~yalaya c andrikab hii.~y atn Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yatn
•
point. In either case, the distance between W and w is
2
divided into 3 parts and the point W nearer \o W a t a
distance equal to one-third of the dist~nce W W is loined
to E 1 to get the W-E direction. The shift of the p~int by 1/3
1
N NORTH • •
I
I Tantrasamuccaya describes another method for fixing
I
I
I I
I • the directions (Ref.02.04) (fig.02.03). In this also, a pole of
I
I I 12 angula height is fixed at centre P. Then circles of radius
I
I '__...----; 24 ANGULA RADIUS
112 hasta, one hasta and 1112 hasta are described with P as
I
I
I I
I centre. The points where the shadow of the tip of the pole
• I I
I
I
I falls on these 3 circles are marked S 1 , S2 , S 3 in figure 02.03.
I I
I I With these 3 points as centres, 3 circles, each of half hasta
I I ~-; 12 ANGULA RADIUS
I
I
I radius, are drawn. Intersections of adjacent circles will give
I I
2 fish shapes. The front and rear, (agra and puccha), points
1 I
I 4/ (1 and 2; 3 and 4) of the same fish figures are joined and
s1 "'"'- ----:1-.-+-·-- '-J---.. . . . . . . extended to intersect at N. The line joining P and N will give
PGNOMON
1 the S-N direction the W-E line is drawn perpendicular to it.
I 12 ANGULA HEIGHT
I
I
I I •
I I
I
I
I
I SHADOWS
ClRCLES OF 12A I
I OF GNOMON
RADIUS •
-.................__--J 5 SOUTH
Commentary
\ -
The lines inclined at 45° to the Brahmasutra and
Yamasutra are called rajjus. Literally rajju means rope and , W- VARUNA E-MAHENDRA
. 1-------
sutra means cord. The use of rajjus will be described
subsequently. The major diagonals are called karQas. This
stanza describes the method of drawing the diagonals.
SW -NIRRT SE -AGNI
•
The four cardinal directions (dik) and the four corner •
LOCATING THE BUILDING related to god of death), will cause death and the vayavya,
(NW) quarter, called asurakhanda (sector related to
Stanza .. 7 demons), is to be despised, but can be accepted by vysyas
(trading class) under certain conditions.
Commentary (Stanzas 7,8 and 9)
• These 3 stanzas describe the procedure for dividing
' the area into sectors and assigning specific sectors for
:II building the houses. In large plots, a suitable square area
is marked at a convenient location (fig.02.06a). For small
areas of width less than 32hasta, the entire area is to be
(kha~zf[a) by the two sutras with their fronts at east and
taken as the plot (fig.02.06b).
north,p;ahmins and others should construct their houses
in th~ is a (NE) quadrant, or nirrti (SW) quadrant. If the Larger areas are divided into 4 quadrants (khandas)
plot IS very large, each quadrant is to be further divided by the Brahmasutra and Yamasutra. If the resulting
into 4 sub-divisions and both the NE sub-division of SW quadrants are very large (more than 64 hasta width), each
quadrants is to be sub-divided again into 4 units (upakhanda)
qua~r~nt and SW sub-division of NE quadrants are •
auspiCIOUS.
as shown in figure 02.07.
The NE quadrant, isanakhanda, marked as 1 is called
manusyakhanda and is believed to bestow welfare. The SW
I quarter marked as 2 is called devakhanda. These two are
'
Tt f5f4~ ~'! IOIIJI II auspicious for putting up houses while the other two
' quadrants are not good. But in unavoidable situations, the
When the plot is divided into 4 quadrants, the isa NW sector marked as 3 be accepted for putting up houses.
(NE) quadrant is called 111a1zu~akha!lPa (sector related to TheSE sector marked 4 is not good for houses. When the
humans) and will cause prosperity to house. The 1zirrti sectors are again subdivided the (SW subsector of the NE
(SW) quadrant is named devakha(l{ia (sector related· to quardant marked 12 and the NE subsectcr of SW quadrant
gods) and will cause desired results. These two quadrants marked 21 are considered to be auspicious).
are auspicious for houses for human beings. Restricting the location of buildings in certain specified
Stanza- 9 sectors is probably to stagger the houses about the street
in order to avoid crowding and to provide ventilation and
3flt~li~Yo\S liJ:tfi~ld ~~~-rr· :q~~~CJG4itad I
' privacy (fig.02.08).
• Cf)CII fq ~ (Rf
' ' Brhatsamhita summarises the dimensions of plots
The tig1zeya (SE) quadrant, called yamakha~z{ia (sector (Ref.02.05). These are shown in table 02.01.
49
48
•
Ksatriya
•
28 24 20 16 1:11/8 •
N N
LARGEST ,.,..,.,.,,_,., ~~"'
Vaisya 24 20 16 1: 1 1/6 SQUARE
I
•
Siidra 20 16 1: 1 1/4 E
w E
Candala
• • 16 1: 1 1/2 •
S$1'it}acl ~ 1 ®
•
12
•
their rear ends (mula) atnirrti (SW) corner and vQyu (NW) •
-/
corner and their front ends (agra) at isana (NW) and agni FIG.02.07 DIVIDING K~ETRA INTO KHANQAS .(SECTORS) AND
(SE) corners. These lines are called rajjus. UPAKHANQAS (SUB-SECTORS)
Commentary
FIG.02.08 STAGGERING BUILDING LOCATIONS BV In olden times, the portions of land left out at the south
RESTRICTING TO SPECIFIED SECTORS. end is used as ground for cremating the dead and that on
the northern side used for disposing the placenta after a
N child's birth. It is believed that the god of birth (Soma) keeps
•
guard in the north side and god of death (Yam a) on the
south side.
•N
0
~l?t ~ ~ G\ii(l ~ ftl TI'Tl~:tt'rT:?' n'2'Tt;~ I
•
~1tt~fd!lll~1o1a =~u~1111~dls~~ 1fqf:u : II
'
If the centre line (ntadhyasiitra) of the houses etc. other
G- G~HA NA BHI than that of a square-shaped catussala (buildings with
0 - BRAHMANABHI
"-
1 - ISANAKHANDA
central courtyards) passes through the front of rear ends of
•
N - NIRRTIKHANI)A the siltras and rajjus, inauspicious results will occur.
FIG.02.09 PROCEDURE FOR LOCATING BUILDINGS IN SMALL PLOTS Commentary
The Brahmanabhi is considered as centre of maac;Jala
and the segments of sDtras or raj} us on the sides are called
rear and front ends . The passing of the centre-line of the
52
53
•
Manu~yaJayacandrikabha$yam
building through the rear or front ends of the two sutras and effects when the vedha occurs in the other 7 ends are given
two rajjus is called vedha (crossing). It is prescribed that in the clockwise order from SE to N E. The objective appears
when the buildings are designed, vedha should be avoided. to be the creation of the fright in the mind of the builder/
This is for marking the two sets of lines (sutras and rajjus) owner, so that he will be taking all care to avoid vedha.
without confusion or difficultly during the construction and Clearly the vedha rule has a vital technological significance.
during subsequent works of repair, alteration or addition. I
In the case of square catussala, with square ankana and
THE WIDTH I THICKNESS OF SUTRA
symmetry on both axis, built in the vastukhaf}(ia, this is not Stanza- 13
possible.,_ It is impossible to design the corner houses I &) ?I ~:a ~ II ~ (5I o~ ::rrr:rh"t":::~"\T.J'tl::ll';:Jt=J"n:;::;:r:c!='lT;'1kt ~ -
( vidiksalas) without their diagonal axes passing through the '
ends of the rajjus. It is also not possible to align the side houses t4ct>~:rti~Cbi~ta: ~~~~ f4afij~~ ~~~en: Sl~<til 1
"-
{diksalas) without their centre lines coinciding with the centre ' '
lines of the ankaoa (central courtyard). However, such vedha a \I~ lCitfct>t~f41%a ~1aq~ tilCbCJ>ltd
could be still avoided by shifting the centre of the building f4 ~'II~ -;r.r:::::~~rhrt?rl~~t$q ~r)~"Tt : II
(qrhanabh1) marginally from the brahmanabhi along brahma-
sutra and yamasutra. This shift is called gamana. When the isakhanda• •
etc. of the ksetra
•
is divided into
9x9 grid, the width of the sutra andrajjus is taken as 1/12
Vedha should not occur not only for the main house,
of the division (pada). Similarly, in a 10x10 division, the
but also for cowshed, gate house, well, etc. The centre line
of columns and that of the wall plates also should not be
width of the sutra and rajju is 1/8 of one of the 100
vitiated by vedhad0$8. divisions and when divided into 8x8 grid, it will be 1/16
Stanza- 12 of a division.
!'filii~ u;~~r: ~=lll~ Cittq;cl . . . . . . ~oon+o.
........ ~~ I Commentary
'
: ~'CI ~~til· ll ~ l·lll Ell : I I
, The square plot (maQQa/a) is divided into a grid of
several cells (padas) for specifying the locations. A
The results ofvedha in the east side etc. (east, southeast, mao(jala of one single cell is called sakalamanr;tala and
south, southwest, west, northwest, north and north east) that of 2x2 cells is called pecakamangala. A mar;cjala of
are separation from spouse, leprosy, hartn from enemies, 9 (3x3) cells with one central cell and 8 outer cells is
death of children, loss of wealth, rheumatism, destruction called plfha. Similarly, grids of up to 1024 (32x32) cells
of family and loss of grains, in that order (indrakanta) are described in Mayamata (Ref.02.06) The
central point (Brahmanabhl) can , similarly, be considered
Commentary as a null grid of OxO cells . Generally grids smaller than
7x7 divisions are adopted for altars , seats etc. and grids
. The ill effects of vedha are highlighted to emphasise
larger than 11 x11 are used for temples and settlements.
the Importance of avoiding vedha. In case of vedha in east
The grids recommended for house are:
end, the ill-effect is separation from the spouse. The bad-
54 55
•
•
Manu~yaJayacandrikabhii~yatn
Man uvalayac andrikab ha~y am
7 x7 sthandila mandala Vastuvidya says that vedha of the centre lines of houses
• • •• •
cause destruction of the race (Ref.02.07)
8x8 . . .'
manduka ..
·mandala
- .
9X9 parama$ayika mar(la/a The rule of sutravedha is an important one in the design
1Ox1 0 asana maf)Qala of vastu. As the reference lines (sutras) are drawn through
11 x 11
-
sthaniya marC/ala
•
the central part of the plot (maQcjala or ksetra) and that of
the building (vastu or harmya), the relative dispositions of
Out of these, the 8x8, 9x9 and 1Ox1 0 grids are most
~hese points (brahman8.bhi and g[han8bhl) gain importance
commonly used for designing buildings all over the land.
1n the design.
For these three grids, the width of the sutra and rajju (grid
lines and diagonal lines) is taken as 1/16, 1/12 and 1/8 of MODULE FOR DECIDING THE WIDTH OF VITHI
the width of a cell width respectively.
Stanza -15
Specifying the width of the grid lines and diagonal lines v ... <il~l GO~) +tCl·ft~;ft-
is necessary to avoid sutravedha described in stanzas 11
and in several subsequent stanzas. Vedhadosa •
is assumed (4 ~'II'! Ic; S?T d I <'fl 1«l: I
'
to be absent when the centre line of buildings as described <11~«'c!~I~·4CII'!OI~(14o'5fattl ~ -
in stanza 11 and the constructions to be described later are '
outside the specified width of the sutra. ll~fit1 : II
Stanza- 14 Theda1zda (module) for deciding the width ofvithi is
: I of different kinds according to tl1e size of the area. ere
the height (kaya) of the person constructing the house is
~~: =<i'i=<=(l&l(t) CIG"i;ftlfl '!G\JC{t~Tl cfiluuC'I~Cbulm~ II accepted as the unit (tala). The danda wil be of three
In all houses, the vedha between each other of the centre types, 10, 9 or 8 times this unit. If the plot as arge area,
lines of houses, cowshed, ancillary buildings, courtyard, well, the width of the vithi should be taken to be one of t . ese
tank, door, etc. and between the rajjus and the kar1zasutras •
da1zdas .
of corner houses should be avoided. · Commentary
Commentary The analysis of the site by concentric enveloping regions
- -
(vithivinyasa) is presented here, as distinct from the analysis
This stanza is really an elaboration of what has already
of site by grids (pa daviny8sa) . In vithlviny 8sa, the v8.stu -
been stated in stanza 11. The avoidance of vedhadosa
ma[Jcjala is consid ered as a symbolic rep resentation of the
should be observed not only between the cardinal sutras
cosmos. The central regi on, called Brahmasthana! is - tl1e
and the centre line of the sa/as of the house but also between
terrestrial space. It is su rrounded by eight envelopes (vithis
the centre lines of different buildings and ancillary structures.
or avrttis) as ex plained in the next stanza. The widtt1 of the
Similarly the karf}asDtra (diagonal axis) of the corner houses -
vithi is one danda, wh ich is a proportionate measurement
and the diagonal lines of maf}qala (rajjus) should not be "' • I
or module. The width will depend upon the size of ttie plot.
vitiated by vedhado~a i.e they should not coincide. ---...;::...
57
56
Manu~yaJayacandrikabha~yam Manu~yaJayacandrikabna~yam
The unit for deciding the daQcja is the height of the owner.
For large plots, the darc;ta can be 8,9 or 10 times this unit.
•• • ••
(1J BRAHMAVi'qll .
.. • • • .
.
.• ..
•
the grhama[Jljala is obtained by dividing the area into 4 (2) DEVAVliHI •••• . '
• • •
• • •
•• • •
•
quadrants and selecting the NE and/or SW quadrants and (3) MANU$YAVfTHi
, .... ..--.••.
~· -"'
(4) PISACAViTHI
.••. .. .•
•
.
•
•
• • • • •• •
quadrants and selecting the SW sector of the NE quadrant -
VITHIS 2 & 3 CONSTITUTE
••• • •• • •
.... .....
• • • • • •. .,_,_.
and lor NE sector of the SW quadrant. For plots of width BUILDABLE AREA • e• e• e • • •
I
'
. ... . .. .
• • •
58 •
59
•
•
and 1 Ox1 o grids the innermost 4 cells and 16 cells are Stanza- 18
respectively taken as Brahmap~da (fig.02.13, ~2.14). The • S{'[I ~ (j S~ 11 oI'i f1) -:q ~r.:;:::r'!r;::JJ"J v...
11 x11 121
Commentary
25
For small sites, it is not possible to divide them into 4
The logic of Stanza 17 can be seen in the light of the quadrants, because the resulting quadrant~ will be small. For
above. Consider the building is planned in the area covered example, if the width of the site is 32 H, the w1dth of the qu.adrant
will be equal to 16H. When divided into, say, s~s. gnd, the
by vithis of Brahma, GareSa, Agniand Jala, in the NE sector
- width of each cell (pada) will be 2H. Since the bu1ld1ng h~s to
of the mal}rjala. When the vithi width is equal to ankara
be restricted to 2 pada, the width of the buildable area w1ll be
length, it will permit an 8x8 grid division and building of sa/as
4H. Assuming that the thickness of the wall is SA (24cm) , and
in cardinal directions with desired ankaQa length. The
- allowing fo r the thickness of sUtra as given in stanza ~ 3: the
buildable area here will be square shaped. If vithi wirtth is maximum width of the room will be 3H SA (240cm). Th1s ~~the
11 12 times ankara length, planning with 9x9 or 1 Ox1 0 grids
- minim um w idth of habitable rooms according to th~ Nat1onal
will be possible. Vithi widths less than ankaoa length will
provide difficulties in planning houses following vastu rules, subdivisions are not possible as the w1dth of room Will be smaller
as the buildable area becomes small. Consequentl y the than this value. The rule of alpaksetra is applicable in such cases.
-
division into vithis is done only in large plots an d that too for
The practice followed in small plots is t~ ~~e that the
temples and palaces (prasadas). For houses, division into
Brahman§bhi (centre of mandala) and g[h~nabr11 (centre of
quadrants and sub-quadrants is the method used. Since
~
building) do not coincide _as explai~ed earlier under s:anza
the po rtion of the vithisconling in the NE and S\N quadrants 9 of chapter. The gfhanabh~ is ~lllfted to the north east or
alone can be used, both procedures converge into one. south-west side of Brahn1anabht.
- -------
()4 65
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam Manu fYalayacandrikab ha~yam
In the case of catussalas, the Brahmapada will be made site should have a width of 18 vTthis. In sites with fixed
the ankana•
and the diksalaswill be made in the two enveloping boundaries, the procedure is to fix the cardinal directions
set of padas covered by 12 adityas. The centre line of these ( dignir[laya), square the plot ( caturasrfkaraoa), fix the vithis
sa/as will be given gamana prescribed for each sa/a. t •
•
•
and decide the location the building. This is called
alpak~etraniyama (rule for small plots) in which the width of
Here the author uses the word "dr£yate" ("is seen"). This the building and length of ankaQa are decided from the width
indicates that this practice of not dividing iAto quadrants or of the site. The procedure of fixing the boundaries of the
vithis .. is seen in some places, but it is not exactly according site from the length of the yard stated in this stanza is for
to the canons and is based only on practice. This means that large plots. Both these processes are allowed, depending
such divisions are not insisted in small plots ( alpak$etras) but on the situation.
is mandatory for large house plots and for villages and towns.
•
SENSITIVE POINTS OF THE MANDALA
FIXING THE BOUNDARY OF THE PLOT
Stanza- 20
• • Stanza -19
lll Cl d Sf I~-J IoI~ -rt.~.,......~~--r9'r";t;ttgtt;:r.::t.
' '
•
~ o~ 4?tia 4> s?T ~::::rTT::Ii'IT.:t:Ta\-tt~rTJ:"2'T~~ I
tl·& I
. \ -::t::Jrt;:ri-htl ~....................+-~,.,.· C1 I=<' it~~ d ~ Cl d I: I I
' . -/
N
• •
RAJJU
NADI
69
68
M anu~yaJayac andrikab ha~yam Man u~yalayacandrikab ha~yam
through 9,6 and 3 cells. Excluding the centre of the cell, 1/12 and 1/8 of the width of the cell for the 8x8, 9x9 and
100 sensitive points, which are the intersection of 8,6,5 10x10 grid divisions respectively (Stanza -13). This is
or 4 lines, should be avoided for building walls, etc. illustrated in figure 02.18.
Commentary (Stanzas- 20 and 21) A discussion about the rationale for the above
prescriptions (called marmavedhavidhl) will be useful here.
It has been stated earlier that in the padavinyasa The purpose of the rule is to restrict the building within the
method of analysis, the selected plot is to be divided into mandala and also to provide reference points for later use.
8x8, 9x9 or 1 Ox1 0 cells for locating the buildings. The • •
orthogonal grid lines are called nadis and the diagonal drawn The marmas are reference points which help one to
through their intersections are called rajjus (fig. 02.15). The ' locate the positions of the different elements of the building.
intersection points of the set of orthogonals and diagonals If they are clearly located in the maf}gala, the locations of
are vulnerable points (marma) which have special the building elements can be accurately decided by
importance in the mal)<jala. In a 9x9 grid there will be 109 stretching threads along these points. That is why it is
intersection points as shown in figure 02.15. Out of these, prescribed that the constructions should be shifted at least
the 9 intersections of rajju with rajju falling within the cells by half the width of thread on either side of the marmas.
are not considered as marmas. Leaving these there are 100 The marmas are thus similar to the bench marks that are
marmas. The intersections of orthogonals (nadisandhi, 48
fixed in modern constructions. The marmas are useful not
in number) are not considered to be important. The four
only during the constructions but also when alt~ra~ions or
points where 2 rajjus and 2 nadis interest are called
additions or reconstructions are made to the bulldtng at a
mahamarma and are considered to be the most sensitive of
all the marmas. later time.
Stanza- 22
For 8x8 grid, the total number of intersections will be
89 and leaving 8 rajjusandhis, there are 81 marmas !Jill cil ~ Cf4~ +I I ~=<b ~ i ~I~ cl '11 ?i ']]'"Jjr;n-::~~rY, -
(fig.02.16). For a 1Ox1 0 grid, the intersections are 129 and
41\CJI (4;::£~=<~'11~ ~4q~q)'5t ~~sur~ I
marmas are 121. (fig.02.17).
.
No constructions are allowed over the important
marmas. In the outer periphery of the 9x9 mandala ~· JYq ~ ~ ~ d diU I• <Ill -tmt:~;-;:r I I
(fig.02.15) there are 4 marmantas in the corners where 3 '
sutras converge. Also there are 8 rajjumarmasandhis where
5 sutras meet. While constructing the fence or compound from the marmasittra, on the east or north s1de, the m~rma
wall, these marmas should be left free. Similarly, the 36 defect due to pillar, wall etc. will not arise. ~~re7 If the
marmas and 4 mahamarams also should be avoided. If it is marma defect occurs, the person doing the ~anttka~ma
not possible to avoid any construction at the marmas, it has hould place gold icons of the heads of bison, hon,
to be shifted by a distance equal to 1/2 the thickness of the
sutra, which has already been stated to be equal to 1/16,
defect.
7() 71
•
Manu ~ya.layac andrikah na~y am Manu.syalayacandrikabna~yam
Commentary
-j_,~1'z.l .,J <4 + ~/12p SUTRA '1/STARA Taking 81 cells, there are nine in the middle, six each
SE"f.-BA:K INSIDE +-- PADAVlsTARA
in the cardinal directions and 2 each in the corners of the
outer envelope, and one each in the next outer envelope
FIG.02.18 AVOIDING MARMAVEDHA ILLUSTRTED
making a total of 45 positions with Brahman etc. in these
(45) padas and eight gods positioned outside the padas,
there are 53 gods (padadevatas) .
....,__..._______._.___.. ------- ~~ . ~
72 73
Manusyalayac andrilUzb na~y am Man usyoJayac andrikab ha~yam
• --------
Stanzas 24, 25 and 26 and starting from NE corner Caraki , Vidari, Puta1zika,
I
paparak~asi (in the vidiks)- these eight gods will be outside
the cells. And outside that will be Devagrahas.
~ •;;n ·~~ '( fcl tf (ll CJft ~~I '(CP I«H ~ i '(·d~ I : I
Commentary (Stanzas 23,24,25 ,and 26)
~ fcld:4 1J5a.Httt¥fi tt·tt~ ~ ·
The 81 padas of the 9x9 grids are divided into 45
fi)?ft~Ff ~~~J'(qlt>fJift) . ~Jita Cb<"ltikt II locations for padadevatas (gods) (fig.02.12). There will one
' ' '
god in each of these 45 locations and there will be 8 gods
,.~. ...... n~rr::;:::r· ~;unQ7.1-y-g1t ~~~"''""ri-'i r::r~::r
outside the maogala. Thus there will be 53 gods presiding
•
The posture of Vastupuru~a is described in stanza 28 (NE) corners. The gods occupied the vanous l1m~s of the
prostrate body. The superimposition of the f1gure of
In some texts like Brhatsamhita, however, describes the V8stupurusa on the V§stumar;cjala with the padadevatas on
pos.t~re _as face downwards. (Ref.02.09). The face-up different pcirts of the body makes it easy to ident1fy the ~adas
POSition IS ad?pted by the author of Manu~y8.1ayacandrika, (fig.02.19). For example the SE corner is the pos1t1on of
Agni and one pada south of NW corner is the pada of
ya1ama~~ are made to any deity only in face-up posture. Parjanya. The regions are nar:ned after the devatas
occupying them. This is like nammg the w~r~s of a town.
face-down) rem1nd the same in the mandala. This further The padadevatas fulfill the function of ident1fymg the cells.
shows that the figure of Viistupuru~a was a later addition
77
76
Man u.ryalayacandrikab liiz~y am Manutya.layacandrikabha~yatn
The concepts can also be said to indicate symbolically
the creation of a built environment from the nature. From a
purely technical point of view, Vastupurusamandala • c
is a
graphic model for design purposes. The planning begins by
defining the boundaries and giving shape to a form. This is
followed by dividing the form into sectors, which are identified
by the padadevatas. Further analysis and design start from
No~: NaMtUoj~~by~reriat~err (1) tD (4S) ar~J~~ •
23 42 POSITION OF PADADEVATAS
•
35 6 : tif~dl
I
Cll¥iJ3il?IJtffi \ifll•<l
9 38 7 Clt¥ii~ ~dCII~Ji~qfd~Qj~s. c;~u) II
18 8 31CJ>ic:~1 : ~j(:q,~tc:m c;~ot~«IJII~ 1
16 15 14 13 12 11 10 ctt'lSJc:61&3 ttfclat -=tT tttfcl:;fts;:q?t ~= ~~4~<! SJc61t611
VIDAR/ CARAK/
sw s SE I
ARYAMAN
~~: II
•
FIG.02.19 VASTUPURUSAMANDALA
On his head, ifa is stationed. Parjanya and Diti, are
located on his eyes. Apa, Apavatsa, ]ayanta, Aditi and
Indra are situated on his face, neck, right ear, left ear
and left shoulder. Argala is on his right shoulder.
Arka etc are on the left arm and Candra etc are on
the right arm. Savitr and Savitra are situated on the left
78 79
Manu ~yalayac andrikab lias.) am
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~y am
forearm and Siva and Sivajith are on the right forearm.
02.02 c:. ,j ~ i.1· 4 ;:j ~R'{: Cb<N: I
Also located are Mahidhara and Arya on the breasts,
Vivaswam and Mitra on the adorn en, Brahma on the navel,
~11Cf>~i.1 ~~'t~~~ \=scflRaJ: 11
Jndra on the penis,Jndrajit on the scrotum and other gods M.M., Vl-6
on two feet. 02.03 CT&~ci ~q;q~t)~ ~~~~ I
Commentary \=s d'{ llFI~I~ tJ ~Cft>141!f ~~Git II
The significance of allotting specific locations for the !'I ~ I=<-< ICll '< ~ f4 +t a I
•
different gods(Ref.02.1 0) has been explained earlier.
•
~clli II
Stanza- 32 '
M.M., Vl.1-2
m ~CJat · : '{i·<lftkiJf'it:ttetl>cl!OIGJ: ~= 1
"ffi.~t.~GP!tel f4q-ftctG I: ~'<"\I~¥ ll<t f4c:uu~ ~ CJI~"q'!Ull'! II 02. 04 -m~ -ur::r,:-:r::.:'tl-.r.:rr·:rr,::r· tl 'I d ~ ~rn ~ Cf(f) I~ \it I
If these gods, positioned on the body ofvastu, are made c........ ""'W '"I<: ~=Q t= ll '"1 ¥Of II
satisfied through worships, they will cause desirable results. '
If they are not pleased they will give undesirable results. '
Therefore, worship of ~stu (Vastupilja) should be done. ~· -....,ll.....=<=ll..... -v
... ~~ .....~~:r::t9rr9t d d ~-4 d ~ II
As stated earlier, the rites of Vastupuja can be '{"tG~Ii~i fchtJoJi l!t?Fftlltei~l'fiqti ~~U1'!_ I
considered to be symbolic acts to keep the presiding deities
of the mandala viz the elements of nature, in balance for B.S., LVIII,12-13
the sustenance of the Vastu.
REFERENCES 02.06 ~iCbc'1 q:q$ : q~'"lli II
'
02.01 311Cbi~CJ~OJ~I«"HR . '1CJ=~~c'1 1
--- --- ---- --- --- --- ---- --- --- --- ---
•
II
fllJtn ~qfd: ~l""::>ft G\CII ~CJ~fa . : II
M.M., VII - 1 to 7
'«<f«t CJI"CfCbtit~oJ \iill~lffG 1R JjtJ~: 1
M.M., IV - 1 to 2
8()
81
Manu syalayacandrikab hasy am
•
'
V.V., VI- 3
82
• Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. Page
CHAPTER- 3
03.01 BASIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC
DIMENSIONAL SYSTEM 88 31~~~ S~211ll:
03.02 OCTAL DIVISIONS OF HASTA 90
03.03 VARIATIONS IN HASFA MEASUREMENTS 90 DIMENSIONAL & ORIENTATION SYSTEMS
- -
03.04 UNITS FOR LARGE MEASUREMENTS 90 AND AYAD/COMPUTATIONS
03.05 PROPORTIONS IN NAVATALA 99
03.06 PROPORTIONATE MEASURES OF PANCAPRAI<ARA 99
Ill' I
03.07 STANDARD MODULE (DA/Y/)A) FOR TEMPLES 105
'
03.08 YON/, THE ARCHITECTURAL FORMULA FOR BASIC UNITS AND SCALES
ORIENTATION 109 Stanza- 1
03.09 PADAYON/ CONCEPT 121 • •
•
= m<I> I ~ar~tt<ld= 1
•
85
Manu~~ttyalayacandrikabha~yam
Manu~yalayacandrikabna~yam
In Vastuvidya, two systems of units are used for direct
TABLE 03.02 OCTAL DIVISIONS OF VYAMA
measurements of length, one based on the grain size viz.
yavamana (yava means barley grain and mana means 8 yava = 1 angula
measurement) and the other based on human figure viz. 8 angula = 1 pada
manu~yapramaQa (anthropometric measurement). Being an 8 pada = 1 vyama
agricultural community, the grain size was universally adopted
Angula corresponds to the length of the central phalanx
in ancient India as the unit of measurement. Though six
of the middle finger and is equal to 1/64 of vyama, which is the
different grains viz. yava, rakta'S8!i, s'wetatati, mah888ti,
arm stretch or span of a perfect man (fig.03.01 ). This is called
saugandhi and gamasali were used, in due course yava was - -
matrangula. Since the anthropometric measurement will vary
universally accepted as the standard grain for measurements.
widely from race to race, angula is standardised in relation to
The average width of yava is 3.75 mm and is equal to eight yava, as 8 times the width of yava. This measurement is called
times the width of gingely (ti/a) seed. According to this text, tila ...-
manangula (standard angula).
is the standard unit and yava is the derived unit. Three
successive bisections of yava gives tila. The octal division is The single pace of man is equal to his arm length from
continued to the smallest measurement called paramanu as the shoulder to the tip of his middle finger. This is called
given in table 03.01. · kara, aratni, bhuja, dos and hasfa. In Kerala, this is called
simply as the measuring scale, kol. This is equal to 24
TABLE 03.01 OCTAL DIVISIONS OF YAVA angula, i.e. 3/8 vyama. Half this length, viz. 12 angula, is
vifasti. Another derived unit is parva which is equal to 3
8 paramanu •
-- 1 trasarenu
•
angula i.e. 1/8 hasta.(fig.03.02).
8 trasarenu
•
-- 1 lik$a or romagra
8 liksa -- 1 yuka Though the standard hasfa is 24 angula, different lengths
..
•
are used for hasfa as described in subsequent stanzas.
8 yuka -- 1 fila
8 tila -- 1 yava •
VARIATIONS IN HASTA SCALE
Stanza- 2
_Paramii~u is described as equal to the size of the minute
floattng partrcles seen when sun's rays creep into a dark 'D'"J":::J"'r.JZJTT"2~~~~r:!rH... • ¥Of I ;:j f4 'i 14
space ~hrough a crevice. The text Vasfuvidya describes Sll\illq\tJCJ>xi~d \9.-:tt~ ~ qqfila 1
paramaryu as that which can be seen only by sages '
(R~f.03.03) and takes it as the standard unit and the other ~~: q~~d ~~f4~t~ilf;Tt~-
unt~s ~s derived units. The smallest practical unit is fila II
which IS equal to the widt~ of a chisel mark on wood and is '
generally accepted as the tolerance in carpentry joints. The measure with 25 11tatrailgula is called prajapatya
and is used in vi1na1za and in some places in temples. The
Yava is c~nnected to the anthropometric system measu.re made with 26 oftheseailgztlas, calleddha1zurnzu~.ti
(manu?yapramaQa) by the relation given in table 03.02.
i used for all types of building in some places.
86 87
Manu~yalayac andrikab ha~yatn Manu.syaJayacandrikabl!a.syam
Stanza- 3
,.........•
~:tl"t.r::hl:C-l~::r;n-r;::r~n--F, .............. _ __...... •
'i I '1 ll <j t f> -
"1 fLfl . ll G'j"'i I !II ¥11 ~ cfi t:ftt~ {) I
1 VYAMA = 8 PADA
- t
~~;zttW 4CI ~ '~'=tfiTJ~f4~ cttq)actCbl~ &;
1 HASTA = 3 PADA
nr-:r d~w~(t II
'
. The measure, referred by learned people to be of 27
• • of the said a1zgulas, is called dha1zurgraha. By this,
villages etc. are measured. This dhanurgraha is
ANGULA
. I I I I prescribed in the measurement of streets, gardens etc.
8 ANGULA = 1 PADA and of tanks, lakes etc. Then, dhanurmu${i is also
desirable there (for all these measurements)
•
Stanza- 4
•
3 ANGULA = 1 PARVA
'
nrt:~~~?:n-=t : ''~fill d 'i I
'
•
3 4 5
1 HASTA = 8 PARVA
:. 24 ANGULA
'
The measure with 28 angulas is called pracya. The
MANUSYAPRAMANA
measure made with 29 nzatraltgzLla is vaideha. The
• •
~
• •
••
••••• :;:) , ~ §
• •
•
..... '
~
(SADHARAf:JA)
~~JATRANGULA (SAYA) (SAMA)
Dha1zurgral1a and
-
prakir!za
are to be used in the
FIG. 03.01 BASIS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC DIMENSIONAL SYSTEM
houses of bralz1na~za. , vaipztlya and dlza1zur11Zll. [-i in the
ntea urentents related to kings .
•
•
88
•
•
<: <:
~
~
<t
~
Prajapatya and vaideha are agreeable for vaisyas
N
N
II II • (trading class) and ~ku and pracya for sudras (working
~ §
a: class). Ki~ku is agreeable everywhere.
~ ~
(")
~ ~
CD
a: a: t Commentary (Stanzas 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
~ ~
co en
II II
E
II These five stanzas describe 8 different lengths for hasta
E (,)
E
(,)
N
~
co
(,)
0
en
(fig.03.03) and the situations where they are employed. In
N H "
~
II II
<t
II
the early days, each ethnic group might have adopted
\ <t
\
\ 5<!J 5<!J 5e, measuring standards based on the arm length of that group.
\
\ ~ ~ ~
\ ~
~
<t q Later, these different lengths were quantified in terms of
\
\
N
II
"N
II
::>
:")
II
~
(")
w
- CD
oco
0
oN
. -tn
0
Ohanurgraha 27 81 Villages , streets, gardens,
.,.. II tanks , lakes , houses of
brahmanas.
•
SQUARE SETTLEMENT Houses of sudras
Pracya 28 84
FIG. 03.04 UNITS FOR LARGE MEASUREMENTS Vaideha 29 87 Houses of vaisyas'
9() 1
•
..
Manu~yalayacandrikahha~yam Man u.syalayacandrikab hQ,sy am
•
1 of this chapter that six different types of grains were used RECOMMENDATION ON THE USE OF SCALE
as standard and that yava is the, commonly adopted Stanza- 12
standard. While relating yava or sali with angula, one 311 eft ~t-Ji-rp.,+-; ~-1+-flir-~ ~"Ur.T1~~:-:r: ~ ~ I
problem encountered is that, though the size of a particular
grain was more or less constant, the measurement of human +f(f~GdlS~ ~fit ~ 4ztlft1 ll~l~~tel: II
body varied widely, especially with different ethnic races.
Thathasta, which was established earlier as being made
Therefore, a statistical classification of people into 3 groups
of 24 ma,tra1zgulas, is respected everywhere. All the others
was used to relate yava with angula. The angula
measurements of these 3 classes of people were equated
are differing opinions (beliefs) and are liked in some places
to 8, 7 and 6 times the width of yava (yavodara) and were on the basis of their suitability.
called superior (uttama), medium (madhyama) and small Commentary
(adhama) respectively. When paddy (sa/1) is taken as the
basis, the three measure of the angula were taken as equal This stresses the universal acceptability of ki§ku (of 24
to either 8,7 and 6 times the width of the ~ali or 4, 3 1/2 and uttamangula). The text Vastuvidya also states that for all vastus,
3 times the length of the £ali. However uttamangula of 8 ki$ku is the most popular cubit. (Ref.03.04). Manasara also
yava width is commonly adopted as the standard measure . recommends hasta of 24 angula for all artefacts (Ref.03.05).
(manangula). It is taken as equal to 3.75mm.
UNITS FOR MEASURING ARTEFACTS OF DIFFERENT
Stanza- 11
SIZES
Stanza -13
~ Cltt I d ?I Cb ~ I : ~~~:n-:~~,;::r(I UJt1"'E!r"f'
21 TI : I
~ as~-~:r;:rr.~s teccil ll>:
basta described with increments inagulas they will become The houses etc. are described by hasta measurement.
72 types. Some cases are described by matrangulas. When absolutely
necessary, the perimeter and shift (gamana) can be described
Commentary by yava. But in the shift of the outer buildings and the
Eight different hastas have been described in stanzas
boundaries of (houses of) humans, da1Jtfa of 4 hasta is used.
4, 5 and 6 of this chapter with lengths of 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, This is known as ya~ti. Eight times da!lfla becomes rajju.
29 , 30 and 31 angulas. Each of these can be further
Commentary
subdivided into 9 types as described in the preceding 2
stanzas. Thus altogether, there are 72 variations of hasta. This specifies the units to be used for measuring
- 95
94
•
-
different artefacts. For large artefacts, large units are used referred to as nadika (linear measurement).
and for small artefacts, small units are employed. For the
TABLE. 03.04
houses, it is said that hasta is the unit employed. Elsewhere
( 'kutrapi') angula is used. The word 'elsewhere' ('kutrapi') UNITS FOR MEASURING DIFFERENT VASTUS
has been interpreted differently. One interpretation is that
Vastu Unit Octal sub unit
in some regions, angula also is used for houses (Ref:03.06).
for measu rement
Others interpret that 'elsewhere' means "in the case of other
artefacts like the doors, seats, etc". According to them, for Fine details, carvings, etc Yava Til a
houses, hasta is the only standard unit. The former Icons, pitha etc. Angula Yava
interpretation is not logical as evidenced from the remaining Building elements Hasta Parva
part of this stanza. It is said that when the perimeter and the
s.hift of centre line (gamana) cannot be measured by hasta
,
Building plan Vyama Pada
and angula (i.e. when these are very small as in the case of Building plot Danda Vitasti
icons and decorative works), they are to be measured in yava Measurement of land Rajju Danda
units.
Stanza- 14
For making long measurements, daQqaequalling 4 hastas,
is to be used as the unit. DaQcja literally means a measuring dlcll~: ~lft'it~cb tl~il4 ~
stick, and it is standardised as 4 hasta long. It is the perimeter
of the square of 1 hasta side (fig.03.04). The standard length '
of daQga is 2.88m which is comparable to the length of the ~I ~=511 ;gj . Tf tt C: Olt I~=t a)
ranging rod now used in land survey. Eight times darga is '
rajju (which literally means rope). Thus, it can be seen that the ~!ill ~IBJCfiJJIGHIR ~\lf'iH~I~G\5\ffliR~I lf ? II
' '
unit to be adopted for measuring a vastu depends on its overall Icons etc. are to measured by tala etc. Ornaments are
dimensions, i.e. for larger lengths, larger units are used and to be measured byyava. The measurement of silk, coverings,
for small lengths small units are employed. (Table. 03.04). dress etc. are to be done by vitasti. Weapons etc can be
This is further explained in the next stanza. It is also natural in measured by twice the width of their (of persons using the
the octal system that the sub-units are 1/8th of main unit. weapon) ring fingers and also can be measured by its (of
The size of the settlements are measured in yojana, ring finger) diameter. The vessels for sacrificial rite (yaga)
which is equal to 1000 rajju or 8000 daQcja. Ayojana is thus are to be measured by the fist (ntusti) and others by the foot
the perimeter of a square with each of its sides equal to etc of the master (yajamana).
2000 daf}qla. Therefore, in a square settlement of 1 yojana
perimeter, the distance from the gateways to the centre of Commentary
the settlement will be 1000 daQqa. (fig.03.04). Incidentally, Two methods of measurements are used in Vastusast1a.
this is the distance that can be covered by a man walking One is the direct or absolute method using yavamana and/
for 1 nadika (1 /60 of a day = 24 minutes) and is therefore, or purusapramana as explamed already. The other is the
l)7
96
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~y am Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyatn
•
V'\
98 99
Manu ~yalayac andrikab lla~y am Man u~yalayacandrikab lla~yam
Based on the number of houses of brahmins etc, many A village with the house of one noble brahmin along
different types of villages occur. By their different with his family surrounded by the houses of his servants is
measurements also, they become superior, medium and called ekabhoga.
small. •
Commentary
Stanza- 16
• • • In these 5 stanzas, the specifications for settlements
~r:::::r:rJ3.J !:II~~\ I Jt ........... : I Uanapada} are given. Arthatastra classifies settlements into
'it2t'i~tl!1fflld qfGflld !'llll~ns~ !:ll'ili II (i) grama (ii) khetaka (iii) kharvataka (4) durga and (v)
' nagara.
A square region of land of one yojana measure
(perimeter) is said as superior village, half of this . Grama is a village settlement with several families
measurement is medium and quarter of this measurement engaged mainly in agriculture and/or crafts. Grama is further
is mostly small. . subdivided into ekabhogagrama, agrahara, vidambaka, and
nigama. Of these only ekabhogagrama is described in this
Stanza -17 book since it is the typical Kerala village of ancient times
'1 J I~ '(=£1 '<i 5 '<i ~I R ~ '<i 5tl ~ I• \ i -:q Gozs '11 ;:j ~ lll d with the house of a brahmin landlord surrounded by the
' ' ' houses of his servants and dependants who owe allegiance
q\l'1'<i:li osd q)atf)cJactt~ ~ ft)ae)qdJt 11 to him. Agrahara is a village generally located around or in
' '
For nagara (town), there should be 1000 to 2000 da1zda front of a temple, mostly occupied by brahmins and governed
width. The region of land like this (viz. nagara) with sea by a council of senior citizens. Vidambaka is occupied by
shore having ships is called pattana (harbour town). farmers and nigama by craftsmen.
1()() 101
Manu.syaJayacandrikabha~yatn
Manusya.layacandrikabha~yanz
•
characterised as uttama, madhyama and adhama- meaning
of different classes. It is described that nagara will have
large, medium or small.
width between 1000 danda . .. (2.88km) and 2000 daf}ga
(5. 76km). This may appear to be contradictory to what has MEASUREMENT OF TEMPLES
been stated in stanza 16, where the perimeter of
Stanza- 21
uttamagrama is specified as 1 yojana (23 km) and that of a
madhyama gram a is 1/2 yojana. The sizes of the madhyama -::r.;::r':J"l"'ni'T.dT'C:rrr::::rt 'i f•4~ f4 ~'II ~ ~ I
and uttama gr8ma are the same as that of nagara. This is
Go~~'Iii \i\il J Ifd 511· <II Cl ~11 ~ Cf>l 'it21 : I I
due to the fact that the towns were concentrated settlements
whereas the villages were extensive settlements. The size In temples, the width of the garbhagrha between the
does not indicate the population. outside edges of 2 wall plates is superior daJJtfa. Similarly
that which ends outside thejagati is mediu1n
A harbour town is pattana and a commercial town is
Stanza- 22
pura. In Artha/8.stra, a harbour town is called dror;imukha.
A town which is the headquarters of a state and where the 'nT::~rTl"r.;::rr;:'lrttT::lt:t Go~ : SJil \ <Pl S~ : I
rulers and different classes of people live is called nagara.
Some texts (Artha~astra for example) call this rajadhani.
!JIIfiiGIG ~~~~4~Gt: q->:q d?T Cf><''=lll : ~ : II
'
Thedanda to the outside ofpaduka is said to be inferior.
Stanza- 20 .' .
In temples, outside the garbhagrha, the five boundanes
I (maryadas) are considered by this darztfa.
w--- - 2· 10 - -+-4
The practice of measuring dar;qa from outside to outside
of wall plates is considered superior (uttama), when compared ..........,__ _ 3·20 ----+-~
l!HfCII~'{?I (_! -:::t-ri. fa ~ ftt ~I d I The concept of yoni is used to fix the prime dimensions
of the vastu from its orientation with respect to the focal
err «1ll: II point, viz. the Brahman8bhi. All vastus are considered to be
•
When the desired combination of width and length (viz. facing this focal point. A V8stu can take 8 locations relative
to the focal point in eight directions - 4 in the cardinal
peri"_~eter) .is mu!tiplied by 3 and divided by eight, the
directions and 4 in the corner directions. The position of a
remainder IS yoltl; when this is divided by fourteen the
vastu vis-a-vis the focal point decides its yoni. For example,
a building located on the east side of the Brahman8bhi and,
by. 8 and divided by 12, the remainder isaya (income), when
therefore, facing west is of dhvajyoni or ketuyoni ( dhva;a
this (the product) is divided by 27, the remainder isnaksatra
and ketu both mean flag). The names of other yonts and
(star), a~~ the quotient here is to be known as vayas (~ge).
their locations are shown in table. 03.05.
When d1v1ded by 3(), the remainder is tithi (phase of the
moon) and when divided by seven, the remainder is vara The yoniis computed by multiplying the prime dimensions
(~eek). When multiplied by nine and divided by 10, a of the vastu by 3 and dividing the product by 8, correspondmg_
different (type of) expenditure (will happen). to the 8 possible directions. The remainder is called yam
107
I <>6
----~~--------------------------~-------------------- -~----~----------~--------~----~--------------
Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyam
Man u~yaJayac andri/Uzb ha~y am •
and hence what is stated in them should be the most is generally adopted for the building as a whole and inside
perimeter for the individual rooms. But in some case both
appropriate. Moreover, as perimeter is a combination of length
inside and outside perimeters as well as the centre line
and width , it can be taken to be indicative of the plan
perimeter are considered.
composition of the building. Since the height of the building
will be related to its width by padayonirule (as explained later), In addition to the yoni, certain other jyotisa factors are
in a design scheme, perimeter is related to height also. Hence also used in selecting the dimensions and locations of
the perimeter is adopted as the prime dimension for houses. vastus. They are also computed from the prime dimensions
p of the vastu as given in table. 03.07.
The smallest perimeter that gives yoni number 1 is 3 hasta
when multiplied by 3 it gives 9 pada. Every increment of 2H TABLE. 03.07 COMPUTATION OF YON/ AND JYOTISA FACTORS.
16A ( = 8 pada) gives the same yoni. It can be seen that the Factor Computation Remarks
groups of perimeters giving the same yoni numbers are located i) Yoni (Origin) Px3/8 Remaindersl -8 giveyoninumbers
on the 8 radialvectors in 8 directions of an Archemedian spiral
with an initial radius of 3H and a pitch of 2H16A (fig.03.08). ii) "Yaya Px3/14 Remainder is expenditure
Px9/10
The yoni concept was originally used for giving
iii)Aya(lncome) Px8/12 Remainder is income
dimensional identity to the building on the basis of their
orientation. Out of 8 possibilities, only four were favoured. It iv)N~·atra (Star: Px8/27 Remainders 1to27 give 27 stars
was prescribed that the odd yoni numbers are good and even starting from Aswati
numbers are inauspicious. This is to avoid the corner locations. v) Vayas (Age) Px8/27 Quotients 1,2,3,4 5 corresponds
Further, specific dimensional sets or yonis were ascribed as to balya (chilhood), kaurrWra
desirable ones to specific artefacts as shown in Table. 03.06. (adolescence), yauvarla(youth)
t vardh.akya, (old age), mara!1Q
TABLE 03.06 THE DESIRABLE YON/FOR DIFFERENT VASTUS
(death)
Desirable
vi)Tfthi (Phase of Px8/30 Remainder 1 to 30 give tith.i
Vastu Yoni number Yoni Name
moon) from the fir t phase of moon
Vehicles (yan.a) 1 Dhvaja (pratipada) of s!ztklapak~a
Cots (paryanka) 7 Gaja
-
Scats ( pitha) and chairs (asana) 3 Si1n.ha
vii) Dhruwa Px2/ 16 Balance i dhruva
(Stability) Px3/16
Boxes, wells, lakes, cages 5 \tj--~·a
or dhvaja
Protective platform viii) Ra[i (Month) Px4/12 Balance 1s month (ra i)
I Dhvaja
Px8/ 12
For wells, tanks, courtyard (ankara), sanctum
ix) Vara (Week) PxR/7 Remainder. 1 to 7 give week
sanctorum etc with clearly defined interior, the internal
, tarting from Monday.
perimeter was used for computing the yoni. For large
ote: P is the prin1c: din1ensio n in lu.tsta . This te xt uses perin1eter a~ prin1c din1e nsion .
constructions like houses and palaces , the outside perimeter
111
I 1()
Man usyalayac andrikab ha~y atn
•
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~yam
Stanza- 27
Stanza- 30
~~r.~~~~~~~~. •
•
511 i2 I I -:t-.::r~'I"'Tr: ~ ~ li q RJ fct
~i 1fit~ en) s... I
' -v~1rr.1<;;::~.:tnllJrrij G ~I oII ~=4 i 1n1net:hf~: A.TJ l(J Gil : 1
&CJflt~ffisfll tiel<; I Jtla~·tr: ~~
' :q ct"iqd) qf~~ ftlrc:: s~
~icl~&Cifltf%(1) f4~)qa: II '
-::r-::r: ~~ tt \if ~:;:rrtn- TI scit ct 4C1 I I
Ketu yoni is the giver of desired wealth, is of gentle
(satwa) quality, is the guru of gods (Brhaspati-Jupitor) and In the east, ketu is prescribed. In the design of houses
is brahmana. Though prescribed in the eastern direction, it
'
is specially suitable for all (vastus) in all directions. mentioned, ketuyoni is also suitable. In the north, gaja is
Stanza- 28 suitable, also ketu and simha. In the west, let there be vrsa
also others ketu, simha and gaja. And in the corner houses
. . '
+-+r-~ G~fDI~fCR~a: <:1&•ft!Jic;~,lll"f~il in the same way (of the related houses).
S~ ~lJq;~ ~IGtXl: I Commentary (Stanzas 27,28, 29 and 30)
..........-.p: qfA.~IOf~ fCR~ffiscba'i&l ~l·li!JI~~''''ifl:
These four stanzas give the qualities of the four yonis.
x=t~!>fhCJ>)s~ ~ -4 PftJ~diX"?t~ a Pff.~ctl : II (see table 03.05). For each of the corner houses, the yoni
of the house related to that corner house is to be considered.
Simha yoni is located in the south, is Kuja (mars), is
The relations of the corner house to the cardinal house is
giver of prosperity, is of tantas quality, and is k~atriya.
decided from the_ ~ttribute of the regents of directions. NE
Gajayoni is vaiiya (trading class), is located in north, is doer corner, ruled by !sa is related to the east; SE corner, ruled
of welfare, is Budha (mercury) and of rajas a quality. by Agni to the south, SW corner, ruled by Nir(fi to the west
Vrsayoni is suited to siidra (working class), is located in and NW corner, ruled by Marut to the north. This relations
~~t, is Sani (saturn), is giver of grains and is of tamas is used to assign the yoni to corner houses as given in
character. The yo1zis prescribed for corners are despised table 03.08.
even there (i.e. they are not used even for corner houses). TABLE. 03.08
Stanza- 29
RELATION OF CORNER HOUSES TO MAIN HOUSES
~TJ: ~=liiG Cf>cl~S(oqqcf1dl 101CJfa I
' Corner Related to Prescribed Yoni
tlCII\5·~ _ ........ : ~=llld ~=t4f4~34l~ll'(-<lffi Pi~l :II
' ' ' N-E E Dhvaja
There will be fear in dhunuz and quarrel in kukkura. S- E s Simh.a
In khara, indiscrimination occurs and in Kaka there will be S- W w Vrsabha
• •
the end of the race. Hence all corner yonis are despised. N-W N Gaja
112 113
Manusyalayacandrikabha~yam Man usyalayac andrikab nasyam
• ' .
For certain houses, other yonis are also prescribed in rule that the perimeter of the square built on them will belong
addition to its own specified yoni (table 03.09). Since all ~he to that set of perimeter characteristic of the yoni of the vastu
odd yon is can be used tor the western h~use, its computation (fig.03.09). It means that not only the outside perimeter of the
is easy and hence is the popular one m Kerala. vastu, but its inside perimeter, square built on its width, length
TABLE. 03.09 ACCEPTABLE YONIS FOR HOUSES etc. all should have the same yoni. It can be compared to the
,
genetic matching of every tissue representing the whole. This
Location of N arne of house Own Other acceptable uniqueness will make each vastu a separate entity, providing
•
house with
•
yont yont it a unique +ndividuality like that of the human being. Hence
respect to only prescribed yonis should be adopted for all houses.
focal point (Nijayoni)
•
In the analysis of Vastu, the concept of yoni is given an
E Eastern house 1 --- important place. The yoni concept groups the perimeters
s Southern house 3 1 into 8 groups as given in table. 03.1 0.
N Northern house 7 1,3
1,3,7 TABLE 03.10 GROUPING OF PERIMETERS ON THE BASIS OF YON/
w Western house 5
Yoni 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
YON/, THE SOUL OF HOUSES •
Nos .
Stanza- 31 0-08 0-16 1-00 1-08 1-16 2-00 2-08 2-16
: 511011 ~ ~l·•li li~'(IIICf ~
.....Cl)
3-00 3-08 3-16 4-00 4-08 4-16 5-00 5-08
!tlt;l~'' tttmllJ m~!J11)G: I ~ ~
:x: . 4
c :::3
TI"'::J~:J'I' : ~-. 4fl ~ Ql Cl ~ li ·-.. c:~ 5-16 6-00 6-08 6-16 7-00 7-08 7-16 8-00
CDq:
..,
!Jilt"' IdS f.itt :t
ttci «11 q d II G)'"C
' ' E c 8-08 8-16 9-00 9-08 9-16 10-00 10-08 10-16
Yoni is the very soul of the building. Hence the yoni ·;: ~
CD
suitable for each is to be adopted. In all housesmrtyu (death) c..
should certainly be avoided. If it (m.rtyu) is adopted, all ••
11-00 11-08 11-16 12-00 12-08 12-16 13-00 13-08
Continued
dangers will happen.
Commentary Each group of table 03.10 has a specific orientation.
The perimeter includes width and length and therefore
Although yoni was conceived as on architectural for~ula indicates area also. In a design scheme it can be related
deciding the orientation and modular measure of the vastu, even to the height in a proportionate system. Hence it is an
later it came to the attached to each and every element of the • indicator of the horizontal and vertical compositions of the
vastu. This was achieved through what is known as the building. Thus the yoni concept which groups the perimeters
padayoni principle. According to this principle, every element into 8 separate categories is an attempt at standardisation
of the vastu is to chosen such that its dimensions satisfy the of the dimensions. That is why it is stated that yoni is the soul
114
\
115
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
of all vastus. At the same time, suitability of a perimeter . The 8y8di sadwarga comprises of orientation (yom) ,
depends not only on the yoni but on the astrological factors tncome- expenditure (ayavyaya), age (vayas), star (naksatra),
like income, expenditure, age, week, month, phas~ o~ the phase of the moon (tith1), and month (ras1). The incom"e and
moon, star, etc. which were described earlier. The cntena for expenditure of an auspicious perimeter should be such that
the income is more than the expenditure. Table. 03.11 gives
judging the suitability are given in the subsequent stanzas.
the computed values of income and expenditure for perimeters
INCOME TO BE MORE THAN EXPENDITURE form 3H to 1OH8A in multiples of 16 angula. It can be seen
that of these 12 perimeters considered, income is above
Stanza- 32
expenditure in only 6 cases marked by the asterix.
3t tlt Iff-1 Cfli dt ll d : ~i 11.11 tl ~r9rr::mrrrut'TI : I -AYA & VYAYA FOR PERIMETERS.
TABLE 03.11
";{ 1hci \Tll1 Rt :~II ~=ill Rfll: '
II • Perimeter Yoni Income Expendi tore
By all means, income more than the expenditure H A H A H
should be earned, otherwise dangers (will occur). The 3-00 1 12 - 00* 9
auspiciousness of the star etc. should be well understood 3- 16 3 5 -08 11
through astrology etc. 4-08 5 10 - 16 13
5-00 7 4 - 00* 1
Commentary 5- 16 1 9 - 08* 3
In the traditional sciences of India, material and esoteric 6 - 08 3 2 - 16 5
aspects are so intermingled that it is difficult to c~mp.letely 7-00 5 8 - 00* 7
ignore one and take the other exclusively. Determmat1on of 7- 16 7 1 - 08 9
the superiority (uttamatva) or inferiority (adhamatva) of a 8-08 I 6 - 16 11
given perimeter based on several astro~ogical fact?r~ is .a 9 - 00 3 12 - 00 13
typical example. The first act in the d.es1g~ of a bu1ldmg ~s 9- 16 5 5 - 08* 1
the adoption of a perimeter based on t?fadtrgha. Hence th1s 10 - 08 7 10 - 16* 3
is considered as the birth of the vastu. As the events in life * Income more than expenditure
are predicted on the basis of the position of the planets
(grahasthitt) at the time of birth, the characteristics and future COMPUTATIONS OF AGE
effects of the vastu are based on the prime dimensions viz. Stanza- 33
the perimeter. The six major astrological factors (ay"iidi
$adwarga) are considered as the horoscope (ku(ujalim) of
fitlcl(ci c61~=tt~ lil~~li~ Cll~cb -:q i)t~;:i -:q I
the vastu. This is the reason for stating that the I 4.:>-:q Cltl i~=4&-l· <~ . ~I tel i)t II
auspiciousness (Subhatva) should be known through
The age has 5 stages- childhood (Oalatva ), adolescenece
astrological considerations. Jyotif~astra means ast.r onomy,
(kauniara ), the youth (yauvana ), old age (vardhakya ) and
but here it is used to denote astrology (Jyoti~a) .
11 7
11 6
Manu syaJayac andrikab ha~y am Manu~yalayacandrikabliiz~yam
•
death (nidhana/ m(tyu). Of these the last one (viz. death) is not A probable logic behind this concept is (1) to
desirable. The others are good in artefacts. sys~ematise the dimensional categories of vastu on a priority
basrs (2) to group them into discrete sets for design purposes
Commentary and (3) to classify the dimensions into those suitable tor
secular structures and those unsuitable for secular
As stated already, the age is determined on the basis of structures but may be suitable for mystic uses. The
the quotient obtained when the perimeter is multiplied by 8 elin:'ination of the maraf)aparyantas groups the acceptable
and divided by 27. When the quotient is one, the age is perrmeters into distinct sets - set one from 3H 09A to 16H
childhood. It is assumed that the childhood starts when the 21 A, set two from 20H 06A to 33H 18A and so on (see
quotient is one and continues till the quotient becomes two. table 03.12). The perim~ters of the first set are suitable for
Two to three is adolescence, 3 to 4 is youth and 4 to 5 is old small vastus like seats (pitha}, fire altar (agnikunda}, platform
age. Death occurs when the quotient is 5. From then on till for jasmine plant (mal/ikuttima), doors etc. The perimeters
the quotient becomes 6 (5+ 1), the lifeless stage continues. of the second group are suitable for small houses of
2 2
When the quotient is 6, childhood again starts and the cycle approximately 13m to 36m area. Still larger houses can
continues. According to this belief, the perimeter coming within be built with the perimeters coming in the next groups.
the lifeless stage. (maraf}aparyanta) are bad. Others are good. These distinct groups can be used for people of different
Therefore, the perimeters coming in the last column (death) of social status or wealth. The marayQaparyanta distinctly
table 03.12 are avoided in all constructions. demarcates the dimensional groups without ambiguity as
• small, medium, large, very large, etc. Again the perimeters
TABLE. 03.12 AGE OF PERIMETERS
coming under columns 3 and 4 are favoured to those under
Set Childhood Adolescence Youth Old age Death 2 and 5. The perimeter coming under the last column of
1 2 • 3 4 5 6 • table.03.12 are routinely avoided for houses. However, there
are cases in which they are found to be adopted for many
1. 3H9A- 6H18A- 10H3A- 13H12A- 16H21A- extant buildings, specially for temples, indicating their
6Hl8A 10H3A 13H12A 16H21A 20H6A acceptability for mystic uses.
2. 20H6A- 23H15A- 27HOA- 30H9A- 33H18A-
VARIATIONS IN THE FORMULAE FOR YON/ ETC.
23H15A 27HOA 30H9A 33H18A 37H3A
Stanza- 34
3. 37H3A- 40H12A- 43H21A- 47H6A- 50Hl5A-
40H12A 43H21A 47H6A 50H15A 54HOA ,...Jl"Tf ~ cp.fllTlJ -
4. 54HOA 57H9A 60H18A 64H03A 67H12A ~&i fch11Rcto1f~1~'(~ :q d~l '(1~14) ~SICbl'(l : I
-
57H9A 60Hl8A 64H03A 67H12A 70H21A
FclCbcil.-. 4)"!liiC:ll: ~:
5. 70H21A 74H06A 77H15A 81HOA 84H09A ~u::r· Cbllt'114~t~&5S·lld II
74H06A 77Hl5A 81HOA 84H09A 87H18A '
Yoni is of two types, vyaya is said to be four, aya and
6. 87H8A 91H03A 94H12A 97H21A 101H6A
91H03A 94H12A 97H12A 101H6A 104H15A
vayas are of two types; nak~atra, varl}as beginning with
119
118 •
Man usyalayac andrikab ha;y am
•
Man u~yalayacandrikab llasy am
br'ilhmana, tithi and so also riiSi etc. are of two classes; vli!"a
building from the footing to the
----------
top of wall, height of
is of 3 c~tegories; dhruva etc. are of three types. Like this
basement and the height of the column etc. also satisfy the
) oni etc. will happen differently. In what have been
conditions, it is very auspicious. Ayadi rules can be applied
mentioned, those stated earlier are acceptable to all. The to area by taking area in square padas.
others are to be used only when necessary.
The procedure for computing yonifor linear dimensions
Cotrunentary is called padayoni procedure which has been briefly stated
•
• *
under stanza 31. According to this, total height, basement
There are variations in the formulae for computing yoni • •
height, column height etc. can be so chosen that the
an ~d the astrological factors, computations for these have been perimeter of the square constructed on these dimensions
given in stanzas 40 to 43. The author says that what has been as side.also should satisfy the yoni rules. This ensures that
stated earlier (in stanza 25 of this chapter) is acceptable to all. not only the overall perimeters but also the length, width
The variations can be used only when it is essential. The author and height are fixed in a particular dimensional set. Indirectly
simply lists the variations in computations noticed by him, but the perimeters of all surfaces of a room - floor, walls and
recommends those stated earlier as acceptables. roof are made to satisfy the yoni criterion (fig.03.9).
Stanza- 35
'<11&fl•li q~OIJ~d: tll•lllt:m cfttfd) •
f4fZII~OI ~ I .. -: ···H··:
•
•
•
• ••
• • •
__.. . . ' ·.' . . . : : I
f4"<;:11'( J~d~ eialsftr T.l 'F1 Cf> "<4l CJ>d41·liiG41 .
. .. .
.. . . .. .. . . .
: .: : ...
. ............ . . ..
.
.
,'
' ' ...... ...-. . . " .
. .. .. .- .......
~
SQUARE ON H
,.., -.. . ~
'
-
i •
. . .. .. .
•
I
• •
•
•
•
e
• • f
•
•
•
•
•
-·. .. ..---
• •
• •
• • •
•
.
•
should generally emerge. If the yoni etc. prescribed for one SQUARE ON L
is obtained in houses separately for length width height
from ground to wall plate (padamatza), pillar (cara!la), ' SQUAREONW
basement (adhisthana)
• •
and by the product of width and •
length as well as by what have been stated as alternatives, it FIG.03. 09. PADAYONI PRINCIPLE
• • •
IS very auspiCIOUS. Stanza- 36
Commentary ~icitt II~ !=ftlt;:fl tl~q~~ct ~IJC:
'
Usually if the perimeter satisfies the conditions ~'fl1fJ~tOt~tr~t~llfllfaf4e~lit Eit~~·Cittc:lllsftr 1
regarding yoni and other ayadi ~adwarga considerations, it 3li'{>GI~<I~ :q ~dclf4~'<i'ftdh~pritGJ f4CJ>c4 -
is considered auspicious. In addition to this, if area, and
linear dimensions like the width, length, total height of ~)q;~~tt~-:cr Cbt4t ~Cf>cJtdl lll~'ilc:t~-:cr lilZTlll: I
'
120
Manu~yalayacandri/[Qbfla~yatn
M anu~yalayac andrikab ha~y am
In all houses, the dimensions of the length, width, total out. This (procedure) relates to the inside of the space
(abhyantaravyapi). •
Commentary
This again stresses that tbe different parts of the
horizontal and vertical factors of the building should have
the same yoni as that of the perimeter computed outside the
main uttara (wall plate). In temples, the sanctum sanctorum, These two stanzas indicate that for perfection, the yoni
main door, icon, etc. should conform to the yoni of the of the area should conform to the yoni of the perimeter.
perimeter of main uttara. If there are more than one storey
for the building, tt'le parts of additional stories also should . For computing the yoni of area, the multiplication by 3
conform to the same yoni. If these are computed according ts not done. This clearly indicates that multiplication by 3 is
to the different beliefs mentioned earlier, slight adjustments to convert hasta into pada and that pada is taken as the
in the measurements can be made to obtain yonis suitable basic unit for computing yoni of houses. Hence, for
for it (nijayonis or related yonis). I
computing the yoni of the area, both the length and width
shou~d ?e in pada units so that area is in square pada. If the
CONSIDERATIONS OF AREA - ~rea 1s 1n square hasta, it has to be multiplied by 9 to convert
Stanza- 37 1t to square pada. The area is then directly divided by eight.
The astrological factors of the area should also be good. It
ll)?tq;c'i ~dl;lj~gdJlll4 ~ay be. noted that Brhatsamhita adopts area as the prime
I d1mens1ons for computing yoni. This system, however, is
• not generally followed now.
MJ3J~ '11 ~ q d
• '
- :rt'::n:lr1"'1Y:;:c-::2Tl'T
' ' ALTERNATE PROCEDURES FOR COMPUTING THE
q;~l~\j ~~~tRq;fllci ,q1~·d'(&JI~ ~ II
ASTROLOGICAL FACTORS
The length multiplied by width should be understood r
•
• Stanza- 38
as area. The width and length should be decided earlier in
such a way that the desiredyoni will be obtained by choosing
the length and width. Then, as was prescribed for perimeter, I
all computations beginning with vyaya should be carried
123
122
•
•
is divided by 30, as before, what remains is the phase of the Commentary (Stanzas 40, 41, 42 and 43)
moon in both palqas (half the lunar month), according to
In these 4 stanzas, computation of astrological factors
different methods. The perimeter multiplied by 3 or by 9 by methods other than that mentioned earlier in stanza 25
when divided by 4, the remainders will be brahma'!-as etc. •
is described (table.03.14)
(brahmana,
•
ksatriya,
•
vaisya, sudra) in order. The perimeter TABLE.03.14
multiplied by 4 or by eight and divided by 12, the remainders
•
ALTERNATE METHOD FOR COMPUTING
will be months. ASTROLOGICAL FACTORS
Stanza- 41
Phase of the moon : P x 9/30 or P/30, the remain del
4:>CJcl~I~S~~d ~~ Tl ~ltil1d Cll~ : I is phase of the moon
P x 3/4 or P x 9/4, the
err ~~ err ~1tl~f1 ~CIItU: ~ : II
•
Varna •
•
remainder is varna. 1 is
Either the perimeter as such or perimeter multiplied •
brahmana, 2 is ksatriya 3 is
by 3 when divided by 7, the weeks are left. Perimeter • vaisya and 4 is sudra.
multiplied by 2 or 3 and divided by 16, dhruvas (qualities) Month •
• P x 4/12 or P x 8/12, remain de
will occur. is month (rasi) from mesa
• Stanzas - 42 & 43 onwards
Week •
• P/7 or Px 3/7, the remainder
is week from monday onwards
•
126 127
Man usyaJayac andrikab hasyam
• Man u~yaJayac andriklib ha~y am
rikta are also taken into consideration in deciding the
REFERENCES
superiority (uttamatwa) of a perimeter.
Visti is the period of 30 nadika (12 hours) of the following 03.01 d?ll<;~ 9(i!JICI~lllfti
phases of the moon: In Suklapak~a, first 30 n8dikas of Jfi~~CII~cl ~~ rr~ ~i9(i1Gt21d tid: II
pauroami and a~tami and second 30 nadikas (31 to 60) of '
V.V.,III- 3
ekadasi and caturtthi and in aparapaksa, first 30 nadikas of
saptami and caturdaSi and second 30 n8dikas of daSami
and trfiya. The period of vi~ti is said to be inauspcious.
M.M., V- 1
•
/
Rikta tithis are caturtthi, navami and caturdasi. These
V.V., I- 9
also should be avoided according to the astrological canons.
03.05
In the first chapter itself, the author has stated that he
has referred to all available literature on the subject for M.S., 11-29
compiling this text. That is the reason for giving several 03.06 ~:rrrr.;::r : 4; Cl ~ 4Cl Cb Itl f
versions and practices for computing yoni and astrological ~CIIc1lllcfl~ CJT I
factors. All these must have been in vogue in India in one -::t:TJ:'2'1t; r;hT:l~:>T
•
¥Of o:g cll.-:t I -
place or other. But it may be noted that the author has given
•
first the formulae given in the stanza 25 and the others as ~ix4?1 ... K.A.,
'
differing versions. This definitely shows that the author gives
03.07 ~ft xtt I!II tl Pas Cb If: Z1 ~ f3r~ xffi . -
importance to the computations indicated in stanza 25. '
Tantra·s amuccaya , the reference compilation for religious ~·flli . : CJ)Udl i2G•\i 0(1": I
rituals and structures, uses these formulae. In fact the ~rRJ.,i -:q ~141r:u14 -:q ~i~ra ~-
stanza 25 (l?tatanavitanamananicaye) of this book is taken
.....................-......... ~~· £11Eitfl~6il II
from Tantrasamuccaya (stanza 3 of patala 2 of part - I and
J
stanza- 3 of chapter-2 of Part- II) . The same sloka appears T.S.,(S) V - 7
in Vastulak$ana (stanza-30). This confirms that of all the
diverse methods, the computations given in stanza 25 were
conclusively accepted by the jyotisis on the authority of
•
Tantrasamuccaya.
128 129
I
•
·-
• '
-
• •
•
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~yam
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
•
DESIGN OF A SLISTABHINNASALA
I
•
157
m·lllll~4m«tliiR ~4 ~ci51Cbi'{IGf() I
158
04.12 SAMSLJSTABHINNASALA
• • •
I /-
159 =<i I 'II tll~ -
04.13 DESIGN OF A SAMSL/STABHINNASALA
04.14
, "" . . 161 cftdatt~~fa ~r::r ~ ll~l?ll~·ll•\l~lt4 ~n: II
SLISTABHINNASTASALA
• • 163
04.15 JOINTS OF WALL PLATES After adopting yon~ aya, nak~atra, vayas, vyaya etc.,
/ / 165
04.16 MISRABHINNASALA 167
which are by all means made auspicious for the perimeters
J ,
04.17 SAMMISRABHINNASALA , 167
of the respective houses with the desired length and
J ,,_
04.18 MISRAKACATUSSALA 172
courtyard dimensions, the intelligent person (sth.apati)
I ' .-
04.19 CATUSSALA . should make the length and width in such a way that the
04.20
- /-
172
MADHYAPRARUDDHASALA
.. ' 175 corridor will be small when they (length and width) conform
04.21 EXPANSION OF EKASALA
,_ ORIZONTALLY 178
-
to the rules of istadirgha (desired length) and -
gu'!amsa
.,
04.22 EXPANSION OF EKASALA VERTICALLY
•
, /-
179 (multiple of fraction).
04.23 COMBINATION OF CATUSSALAS
/.- 180
04.24 TYPES OF TRISALAS Commentary
/-
180
04.25 TYPES OF DVISALAS
181 I ·The three dimensional visible form of vastu grows out
of a plan composition. The plan shape defined by a bounding
perimeter (paryantasutra) is designated as the mar;pala.
The search for perfect forms, common to atl design
philosophies, led the ancient sages to man_y shapes such
as circle, regular polygons and combinations of regul~r
•
133
•
Manufyalayacandrikabllafyam •
Manu~yalayacandrikabha$yam
shape. The enquiry was also directed to the ideal proportions
of rectangular spaces. The condition that the buildings
should be oriented in the cardinal directions led to the
adoption of square and rectangle as the most commonly
used shapes. These shapes also had the advantage that
their centres (Brahmanabhl) can be easily located as the •
'
point of intersection of the diagonals. A square being a
perfect shape, is reserved for prasadas. For houses I
N
rectangles were generally adopted.
,_ b)DVISAIA
This chapter starts with the method of selecting the
•
•
a)EKASAIA
dimensions (width and length) of the house with rectangular
plan shape. Three procedures are generally followed for NKANA
•
,-
•
length of the ridge of the house and this may indicate an early
association with the length_of the S81a itself. In any case, the • •
~teiG<flEiict ={icltll'·li ~............,. Out of the three procedures for computing the elements
' ' of the plan composition mentioned earlier in stanza 1, it is
f4ttii~S~IIIG ~........... : qiG'fl~'i I -
' ' the istadirghavidhithat is generally adopted in Kerala. From
d'!:'ll"llifi~ ~ a=c.t)qa: ~ ta the iStadTrgha, the other horizontal and vertical elements
' • •
are computed by proportionate method as shown below:
(Rf4~~~rc;r;r"Clcl\mf~~ : I .....
Perimeter (naha)
\3 \l~l~ ~;:i ct tlrg~,II~I~CI Cb~d II •
\
1
Width ( vistara)
For all houses, the perimeter is derived from the desired •
· length (of anka~Ja). From this (viz. the perimeter) the width Height up to wall plate (p8dam8na)
from the width the height of the building (up to the wali 1
plate), from this the height of the basement from what is Basement (masura)
~
. from the width of the respective wall plates, the width of • Height of wall/ pillar (stambha)
rafter, eave reaper etc. and from that (width) the thickness -1
of the wall plates etc. are computed. Width of wall plate (.uttaravistrtJ:
Stanza- 4
Width of rafter, eave-reaper (lup8n1vr8divist[fl)
tf ~~{til~ ~ Ji tec:fhhfFNi ~·{.ell I iis te Pf &j i !:'CI ~ tf - ~'
•
Manu~ya.layacandrikabhasyam
Man u~yalayac andrikab nasyam
takes the length of the ridge ( vamsamana) as the i$.tadTrgha
of the sa/a is 1 :3. If 2 cells are taken as the width, the width to
(Ref.04.01 ). In gabled houses, this, of course, is the same
length ratio is 2:3. The design hence starts from the former
as the length of the house.
•
ratio of 1 :3 and, keeping the length constant, the width is
adjusted such that the yoni and other criteria are satisfied.
•
·'
For a rectangle of width 1 unit and length 3 units, the
•
perimeters is 8 units. This means that if 1 pada is the width,
3 pada which is equal to 1 hasta is the length and the
I•
•
N perimeter is 8 pada_ which is equal to 1 vy8ma. Hence if
I'
x hasta is the i$!adirgha, x vyama is the perimeter of the
.J ..NKJL ~ .. primary plan of the house. When this is multiplied by 8, we
•
get the perimeter expressed in pada units. This perimeter
• is normalised by adding the yoni number 1, 3, 5 or 7 to suit
w E the orientation of the sa/a on theE, S, WorN of the an kana • .
The normalised perimeter is in pada units. It is divided by 3
only to bring the perimeter into hasta units (1 hasta = 3
-
I
• pada).
s ~
.. ~
~
~
Norn1alised Perimeter
~ P=8x/ 3 hasta = 8x pada P = 8x pada + yoni number
•
II -
=x vyarna to suit the orientation
£i
'0
• .-4
House facing
I'
~ Desired Length = 3 x pada
-
B - BRAHMANABHI W N E S
I I
Width 2 Cells Normalised Perimeter in Pada 8x + 1 8x +3 8x +5 8x + 7
-
FIG.04.03 PERIMETER FROM /STADIRGHA
' ..
The whole pr_pcess depends on arriving at the perimeter
fr9m the l$!ad1rgha. As described in chapter 2 a The normalised perimeter of the house i.e. the
vastumaf}(iala divided into 8x8, 9x9 or 1Ox1 o grid is fhe perimeter adjusted to obtain the yoni number corresponding
adopted for house design. Out of these, 9x9 grid most is to its orientation, is halved and from this semi-perimeter the
c~mmon. For sue~ a ma'}cjala, the courtyard is 3 cell wide original i?.fadTrgha is deducted to g~t the width. It is clear
that the length of the house or i$tadirgha or the width of the
s~mpl~st house rs a sa/a coming on one of the cardinal an kana is not changed, but the width is now increased. The
drrect1ons facing this yard:-The length of the sala is the width width to length ratio now is not 1:3 but it increases. If the
of the ankara or the J?tadirgha. The width is 2 cells wide If istadirgha is 6 hasta, one cell width is 2H. If the house is
one cell width is taken for the house, the width to length ratio f8.'cing west, the perimeter before normalisation is 6x8=48
138 139
Man Ufya.layac andrikab hasy am
Manu ~ya.layac andrikah ha~y am
The yoni number is added before the division by 3 to
pada. After normalisation to its location to the east of ankana
it is ~9 p~da or 16H 8A. Semiperimeter is 8H 4A. Deducti'nQ
ensure the correctness of the yoni for the perimeter.
the 1$.fadJrgha of 6H, the width is 2H 4A. If the house is on I -
In proportio~ing houses, i${adirgha above 6 hasta is to be
the northern side of ankaf}a, the normalised perimeter is adopted. If i~tadirgha is 6 hasta and if the house is facing west
48+7=55 pada or 18H 8A. Semiperimeter is 9H 4H and (eastern house with ekayom) , the perimeter is (8x6+ 1)/3 H
keeping the same i~.tad7rgha, the width is 3H 4A. The width =16H 8A. For a northern house (facing south) of 20 H length ,
of the house, ie. 3H4A is still within the buildable area.
the perimeter is. P = (8x20+7)/3 H =55H 16A.
Hence this procedure of starting with the width as one-third
of the length is a practical one to keep the width always This computation can be easily made if the pada units
less than 2 cell width.
-
are considered. It was shown that for a house of istadirgha
• •
Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyam
Manu ~yaJayac andrikab ha~y am •
necessary,
_ . . the samatata is also adopted by some.· H ere Ardhadhika Padona Samatata
Pacladhika
3 4
1 2
all pado1za ratios are harmful for all. 1.75to<2 2to<2.25
1.25 to< 1.5 1.5to<1 .75
Stanza- 8
•
l 2.75 to< 3 \ 3 to< 3.25
2.25 to< 2 .5 '2.5 to< 2.75
'
3.25 to< 3 .5 1 '3.5 to< 3.75 I
'3.75to<4 4 to< 4.25
4 .75to<5
'
5 to< 5 .25
4 .25 to< 4.5 I 4 .5 to< 4.75 ' '
I 5 .75to<6 I 6 to< 6.25
f4a~~~c:ul~ta: .... 1ittl~ - 5 .25 to< 5 .5 I 5 .5 to< 5.75
' 1 6 .5 to < 6 .75 I 6 .75 to< 7 '
7to<7.25
Cl~'tC64~d~llt~flf-<~ ~r«=rr~~~: II 6.25 to< 6 .5
I I 7
143
142
•
Manu:~yalayacand~ikabna.syam Man u.syalayac andrikab ha~y am
The ratios falling in between samatata and p8diidhika are Generally, lengths more than 6 times the width are not
considered as samatata, the ratios between p8d8dhika and adopted. The reason for not considering ratios beyond. 6 is
ardh8dhikaare p8d8dhika, the ratios between ardhfldhikaand that the space enclosure efficiency of the rectangle, (def1ned
p8dona are considered as ardh8dhika and the ratios between as the ratio of the area of the rectangle to the area o! a
pcidona and samatata are reckoned as p8dona ratios. Thus square of equal perimeter) goes bel.o~ 1/2 for ~uch rat1os
all the rectangles can be grouped into these 4 categories (Table 04.02) and fig.04.04. Also, 1t 1s stated 1n the next
described above (Table 04.01).
W:L DIVISOR
Gw;amSa literally means fraction of a multiple. The
RATI 0 LENGTH
guf}amSavista.ra of a building is obtained by dividing its semi- ........
8
perimeter by the integers from 8 to 32 and taking 4 parts of the
1:1 _..... -- 12
1:2 - 16
division as width and the balance as length. While doing this,
divisions by 11, 15,19,23,27 and 31 are avoided as they will
1:3 ........ -- 20
1:4 •
........ 24
give p8dona ratios of length to width (ratios of 1.75. 2. 75, 3. 75,
4.75, 5.75 and 6.75). Thus, there will be 18 acceptable width 1:7 - 28
32
to length ratios viz. 4:5, 4:6, 4:8, 4:9,4:10, 4:12, 4:13, 4:14, 1:6
4:16,4:17,4:18,4:20,4:21,4:22,4:24,4:25,4:26,4:28, leaving 1:5
the p8dona ratios of 4:7,4:11,4:15,4:19,4:23 and 4:27. The
acceptable ratios are shown in columns 1,2 and 4 and the •
inauspicious ones in column 3 of table 04.01. EFFIOENCY OF RECTANGLES DECREASES WITH INCREASE IN L:W
RATIO
It has been specifically stated in stanza 7 that all p8.dona
ratios will cause harm. It is also stated in stanza 7, that the 1.0
ratio of 4:6 is not desirable. The word 'atra' (here) in 1.0
'ardhadhikotra na hito' refers to the ratio referred to in the 89
previous stanza, viz. the ratio of. 4:6. The other adhadhika ratios >
u 0.8
.75
described in stanza 8 (4:1 0,4:14,4:18 etc.) will not be covered z
~ ~~4
by the word 'atra' of stanza 7. They are acceptable to~ ~ouse~, ) c 0.6
•
u ~ J.56
only 4:6 (1 :1.5) is unacceptable. The reason for a~o1dmg th1s I C
~
..... •.49
~ JO.44
can be the objection to the use of perfect shapes like square. ~ 0.4
Length to width ratio of 1.5 will give a rectangle made up of
one square and a half square. It also represents the limiting 0.2 6 7
ratio of 2:3 discussed under stanzas 2,3,4. 1 2 3 4 5
LENGTH : WIDTH RATIO
For temples, the auspicious ratios of length to width for
the garbhagrha are 1 , 11 /4 and 1112. The ardh8dhika ratio of
11 12 which is unacceptable for houses is auspicious for temples
because perfect shapes can be adopted for temples.
145
144 •
Manu~ytllayacandrikabna~yam
Manu ~yalayac andrikab lta~y am
stanza that width more than half the length is not accepted
Stanza- 9
by sages like Daksa and Garga. Thus the acceptable length
• I
to width ratios for houses are 1 to 6, avoiding, of course,
...l-Ao. ~~~~ii ~~ct~\)> f4arara~~tefll~~ CIT I
the padona ratios. c!lt::~ttttC:~Cbd~ Cltl~i 4=caf.ft &11€11 : I I
TABLE 04.02. SPACE EFFICIENCY OF RECTANGLE When the semi-perjmeter is divided by 11, by 3 parts
Width:length the width and by 8 parts the length (can be taken). The
Space efficiency
ratio of rectangle width more than half the length is not accepted by Garga,
Daksa
•
etc .
4:4 1 :0
Commentary
4:8 0.89
4:12 0.75 Though the proportioning of width and length is
•
146 147
•
7HOA •
•
~2,.
4H-10A
I 5 H-16A 12A
~ f I
•
" <
QO
RANGAM
-
VA SAM
71 ' ~ r
~
=
~
/ = - ~ RANGAM
(£0
-
X
I
:r•
~ ~
VASAM P=13-16
/ ' ~ -
0
N
/ ' •
•
/ ' - ~
/ ' VA SAM
-:r
cO
<
QO
'
•
M
f
•
• • 0 •
OUTSIDE PIN DHVAJ~
2 ROOMS
FIG.04.05 MINIMAL SIZE OF A RESIDENCE "OUTSIDE, P =32-08 3 ROOMS
• •
•
OUTSIDE, P = 32-08
the perimeter for simhayoni house is observed as 67 pada as
given in the previous paragraph.
•
CLASSIFICATION OF CATU5SALAS •
-
VA SAM
Stanza -10
•
-'
X P:23-00 ( C1) CORE P=32-08 (D)
(;')
OUTSIDE P=37-16 (D)
ihCJif1S?f g : cffioJI<1lfi.R..~CJ~ - •
: ~i~~l'"i~$ll~fld: I
•
(lltet44 . ·2 ROOMS
ALINDAM
~Q·d ;:rcrtittl\!~=lt :rtfd~~=~i~~ ~1¥=11~~
jl~a~i ~acll~ cl&totf4tfi ¥011~ I~ at• llC1 ~ II •
9H-8A •
• I_
Here the sages have mentioned 8 separate houses for FIG.04.06 DIVIDING SALA INTO CONVENIENT ROOMS
15 1
15()
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~y am
Manu~yalayacandrikablla~yam
•
WSUDDHABHINNASALA
•
Stanza- 12
~ 11 cll f':cr 4ilrtt fJI ~ r . . . ~~-B-:::rnf~Tr:JJm:nn~";h'T:
s - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~n·
• VARDHAMANA •
-
,,
j
Commentary
FIG.04.07 CLASSIFICATION OF CATUSSALAS BASED ON
BRHATSAMHITA
• In visuddhabhinnasala, there are 4 houses oriented in
the 4 cardinal directions and there are no corner house .
• Each one of the four houses should have yon1, gamana etc .
152 153
•
•
ha~y am
•
Man usyalayac
•
andrikab
as prescribed for that particular house according to its
•
orientation. For example, dhvajayoni tor eastern house, •
house and gajayonifor northern house. If the western house Y/ESIEBN - NORTHERN
I
I 1)
Also, the shift (gamana) of the centre line of the house I /
from that of the an kana will be 3 units for the eastern house, '
t
I '
'a: 'v / /
I z
1units for southern house, 7 units for the western house I
and 5 units for the northern house. It is likely that the unit of
I
I
~:SI
~'It~
gamana is parva as the operation of determining the yoni of
I
I
- ~~ ' ~
•
Cl)
I
I
I /
/ '\
' /
'
DEPRESSED YARD
the gamana is to multiply the gamana by 3 (to convert it into I
,
p = 29-16
ALL IN SIMHAYONI
be simple ones with the paduka extended to patram.ana. •
EAVE 16- 08 x 11 -10
p =56. 08
I 1- •
ALL IN DHVAJAYONI
SL/STABH/NNASALA
• •
GARTANKANA •
ANKANOTTARA
•
-
·B - BRAHMANABHI P - PERIMETER
Stanza- 13 20 - 18 X 19 - 10 25 - 10 X 24 - 02
p = 80-08 p 99-0 = (All dimensions in hasta - angul~
a a
~~101qf~'"' ~~~~
•
IDHVAJAYONI)
(PLAN SHOWS UITARA ONL~
•
' • , ~ .~
Slt~CII?I (] I I
154 155
•
(with the main houses). This gap is for the entry and exit of B
post-partum ladies, the working class etc. •
•
Stanza -14 • •
••
FIG.04.09
:;:rr.)~:rrr;:::rr =<=lll d I FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN
' SALAS
~~uft~CI~dl =<iiQlftlt'it~i ~$1~~1'1414~ II
By joining one, two or three corner house, lli~ta
bhinnasala is obtained. Though suitable for brahmins, it is
propitious for all, because of the characteristics of the
separate and combined (salas ).
Commentary (Stanza 13 and 14) B B
• • •
When the main houses are joined together through the
corner house between them, S!i${abhinna~8Ja (combined-
separate, house) results. But such joining should be done
between the friendly houses. The houses on the north and
east (of ankaf)a) are considered to be friendly and those on
the west and ~outh are also friendly to each other (fig.04.09). One Corner Houses Two Corner Houses
':- Sli~tabhinnaSaJa is obtained by joining the main houses by
one, two or three corner houses (fig.04.1 0). At least one· comer
should be left free. This is for free access to workers and
menials and also to those who are considered to be not clean.
Because
I I-
some of the main houses are inter-connected, it is a Three Corner Houses
..
SfiSf8S8/85 and because at least one corner is unconnected
~
B
and free, it is bhinnasala.
/
Hence it is slistabhinnasala.
. The •
design for such a sa/a is given in figure 04.11. This is
considered to be suitable for brahmins, because unclean
t FIG.04.1 0
persons can enter the central courtyard with out entering and 5LISTABHINNA5J.LA
-.
passing through the Sa/a so that such unclean persons will not TYPES
pollute the main building.
156 157
Manu~ylllayacandrikabha~yam
Man u~ya.layac andrikab ha~yam
SAMSLJSTABHINNASALA
• •
. ~if~te~~l f~ll'i II
•
0 ' --·-------------~ fe I
:X: I
I
r¥f ',12H
'-
6·A
•• -.. ~
, 11
I
., •
I
; : ~ ~r---·---- ~-- ~~5-~-~IA-----~ :, !! ; '
I ~ /, / I ., r1
The ends of the wall plates of the corner houses which
•
~:::::;==::::tt=:U-- ---~
11
I
~ .- - ---- -
----·- - tI '• 1
•I I are equal in measures of the ends of the wall plates of the
: // • / I I, ., I
I
·~I
I /
jo.----
[.1/ II
II
I •,
'•
'I
•1 main houses should be joined in the anticlockwise direction,
10 H 18A _~ t1 ' " • I ....
I t 1L--~---- ------------( I
"1~ --------------,.-~
.. N I
II
1
I
I ..
el I•
11 like the petals of nandyavarta flower. Here in all cases, the
.. .' I
1
11 -.. ! 11 L :::
I
I '
r JtP J
~.. I • i I I I
perimeter of the ankal}ll should be in dhvajayoni. If the
_/ I 1 : 11 t I
! ~ tV I ~ "' I •~ outside perimeter is also indhvajayoni, it is most auspicious.
! " . 6H ~~ .~ 1 1
This is sam~listabhinna~ala.
I •·... I :
I ' ' //' . I N lUi I ' : I
I
:
lc»
·:
'.''
I
I
I
l~
I• !1"-
_,.
I ~~!., 2A
I
I ~;
10 I
I
• •
: ;; : '; ! f I~ .- l · ~ : Commentary
I
I
~ • tQio lA /~ I
For samslistabhinnasala,
••
there are 4 main houses and
I t' I le ' I
=f: ;: '; I GARTANKA!jA P:80-08 (Dhvsjs) ~ ~~H1~-~ : 4 corner houses. The inner wall plates (ankaoothara) of the
~ ' ., I I / '
l>i ' I
I /
I
main houses should be extended towards the outer wall
!: :
I ,, '• I 0 ' I
I :: :: : :: I cf · :
~ :_- - .....: - -- - -- ___ --~ plates of the corner houses towards left (while looking from
I
I
I
11
1'
t' :1
'
: •
I 1
I
I
I
I:
I
tl
I 11
f
cil~=~~
/
L-- --_ r- _ _ _
.
_
------.-/1 -" I 9H 10A I the ankaoa) like the arrangement of the petals of a
I l ., I
Il 11 I tl ' /
I II •I I ·· ·' • .
nandyavarta flower. (fig.04.12).
I
I
11
:1
II
It
I
I/
,.ctf-:r--=-=--::
.too
'"-== ~,_,,.'
'1 ~ ·
•
-~6H-~~~--
' 1
•1-
G
k:, _t _ - - - - - - - - - - - - --------------:1
£ ·~~~'
N (i.e., up to C) of the north-east
13 H 15A ' · 12 H 2 2A ~
Overall P= (39-14+41-06)2 = 161-16 (Vrsabha) corner house. Similarly, the
southern wall plate DE of the
IDimensions in hasta-.anguJaf H J A
•
PLAN SHOWS UTTARA ONLY
northern house to F and so on.
• K L
Technically this extension of the
FIG. 04~11 DESIGN OF A SLI$TABHINNASALA I
• inner wall plate and its joining with
_, FIG.04.12 1 _ the outer wall plate is to tie the two
0
cil <1>~'1?1 t{i Cb <"'I \il•lll 101 Cl· '~ Cl ~ I 'I '\. 1"- i! /
~ I
I
I
----· ~- -~~---------- - - /
., 4
.~
• .. I
Everywhere (viz. for all /alas) for the perimeter of the I
I
I I
I
7 .,-22 NN
N~
I
I
'
~
I
I
I
I
I c--. I I • I
. corner house, theyoni of its main house is precribed. There •
I
I 3-~ lL
I
•
•
11-22 -
o\D I
I
•I ,... ,_ ""'
! I
I I
I
~b
I
all the corner houses become creations (janya) and the main I ~
I
l
I
I I I /~.~ - -- -- - - - -\ I
I 'c--.
, I
I
I
1-. I
human beings, there should be dhvajayo1ti in north-east, I ""' /
/
1 '
""
I
I
I 1- '"t I
simhayoni in south-east, vr~abhayo1zi in south-west and I 1/ / en 9-18 11-9- , , :
gajayoni in north-west.
I
I t . IO--. ------ --- ------- ~ '
---\ I
I
~
/
I
, / I
l
I ,/
/
~
...
' ', IJ
Commentary
I r
.. ~
-, I
I
/"/1-l----~2;,y0=.J-2L----------11 ',,
~~~~====~~~=============== '-""~l
I
I /
•
The yoni prescribed for the corner house is the yoni of ~ ----------------- - --- ----------
- ----- -~-"'--
the main house which is friendly to it as shown in table04.03 IDimensions in hasta angulal
as even numbers for yoni are inauspicious. I PLAN AT UTI"ARA I
TABLE 04.03 YON/ OF CORNER HOUSES •
I 6 () 161
1anu. talayacandrikiibha~yam Manu~yalayaca!lilrikablza .'Jatn
Stanza- 17
~ ~if~te~~lclllf4~CIG~Iq;~~1 ftCIJl\l'!ff{)f . .®
~<it(),~ tlit~F4 ~ Cf))Offc'tlll~l'i I ~
~
-
' -
~
I
:X:
~tl)i_;I•\IJ•\Ixl~ ~ 'i~IEil~'i'tJj f4'1t•li- I ALINDA 10 H-SA ....
-
:X:
' •
•
•
f t
Commentary •
1H-
17H-22A
,_ ,-
4 VIDIKSALAS, 8 ALINDAS
houses are joined as for samsli$.tabhinnasala (stanza 15, fig 4 DIKSALAS,
04.12). Then the perimeters of the corner houses are adjusted OUTSIDE P =(17-22+19--14) 2 =75-0 (DHVAJA)
YARD P = (11 -6+10-6) 2 = 43-0 (DHVAJA)
to yield yoni numbers of their respective main houses (refer
table. 04.03). The wall plates of the corner house in the right I - I-
hand side (while looking from the ankaf)a) are joined to the FIG. 04.14 SLI~TABHINNA~TASALA
main house on its left at the antarala in such a way that the
joint does not occur at the centre of the door opening. Here
eac~ diksala has corridors on both sides. Therefore, the 4
diks81a and 4 vidikS8!as remain separated by the corridors.
Hence this is called Slistabhinnastasala.
. ".
At the same tin1 e the
wall plates are interconnected (fig.04.14 ).
163
162
Man u~yaJayac andrikab hasy atn Man u~yalayac andrikab ha~y a1n
--------- the eastern and western as the support (adhara) and the
Stanza- 18
other two the supported (adheya).
~nn~-::;:::r;JmtTT · \T.It::t.nart ~f"TTrl~":TT":::t I
•
Commentary
II
I
When the scantlings for the walls plates are not sufficiently
Where the combining (yoga) of the wall plates of the long to be made in one piece when extended to the corner,
corner house happens at the end of the wall plate of main separate pieces should be joined together to make up the
house without joining separation of /alas occurs there. length. This should be done such that the joints do n~t occur
r
Those houses are thus of 4 types. at the centre lines of sa/as, at
the sensitive points (marmas),
Commentary over the opening for doors
and windows and in between
In slistabhinnastasala, the wall plates of main homes in
• • •
N
pillars.
the longitudinal directions should not be connected to the wall
plates of the corner houses by joints or by pegs, but should be This is indicated by the
placed butting each other. Because the wall plates are not statement "sandhikarmok-
connected, the bhinnatwa (separate existence) occurs. ta r it i a vi d h iva t" . W h i I e
Because they butt each other, they are joined. Thus sfi${8- making the joints at the four
bhinnatwa (separate and combined nature) occurs. This is, corner joints, the ends of the
therefore, sfi${abhinnastasala. Thus four types of bhinnasalas, east and west wall plates are
have been explained viz visuddhabhinnasala, slistabhinnasala,
• • FIG.04.15 to be kept below (adhara)
samslistabhinnasala and slistabhinnastasala. and the ends of the north and
• • •• JOINTS OF WALL PLATE
south waH plates should be
THE PROCEDURt: FOR JOINTING THE WALL at the top (8.dheya) (fig.04.15) with halved joints.
PLATES
J '-
Stanza- 19 MISRABHINNASALA
Stanza- 20
<fltl«U~ilti'~IJCl ~11~ fc)~4(J_ ttf·\1 Cb'iltb;ft,t(l
'(i•QiliiCf>lUitlt!ICifU ~'11'1 I
' rtrrr::::r1Prffi~r#ttR1rita. (q ·,I : ~~ Cfil u1 &:I fq I
~i · C: till IC: ~ ~~r:l=\clrtt 11-P. ~:£11 f.:q ~·~ ;;;i ':;:r.;;:t :-
'
When single pieces are not available for the wall ~llcl ~'5·Pt~lll: : 'H't'htl -~ II
plates along the length and width, the outer wall plates Here making the perimeters of outsid~ and yard in
should be joined separately according to the rules and
extended to the end of the of the corner house. The joints stated for the outer wall plate, without the mner wall
at the 4 corners should be made with the tail and head of
165
164
Manu ~yalayac andrikah hafyam
Commentary •
-
•
8H-22A
... 'JJICII'i I (All dimensions in .ha~ta-angull!J
-
' 17 H-10A
FlG.04 .16 '
MISRABHINNASALA I -
• •
-
X
N
Manu~aJayacandrikablia~yam
Manufyalayacandriklibhli~yam
With the length and width of anka'}a equal to each
9A other, without gantana and with the perimeters of the
• inner and outer wall plates, and that of the offsets being
in dhvajayoni and also the inside perimeters of the main
and corner houses and the central doorways being in
• dhvajayoni these catuSSala houses, are for the kings .
WALL THICKNESS = 9A
E S~LA P= 29-16 (D) .
~ SA.LA P= 33-0 ( S) Commentary
c W S~LA P= 33-16 (V)
N
I N SALA P= 31-16 (G) •
For catuSsala, the plan shapes along the outer edge of
..,
% OUTSIDE P= 91-00 (D) the outside wall plate (b8hyottara) and along the inner edge of
N ANKA~A P: 43-00 (D)
the wall plate around the ankaoa are square i.e, they are not
•
given any elongation (8yama). The perimeters measured
•
outside the offset of the basement and inside the p8.duka of
the yard are to be in dhvajayoni. The inside perimeters of the
main and corner houses also should be in dhwajayoni.
22H-10A Similarly, the main doorways at the middle of the sa/a also
~ .
t (All dimensions in hasta-angu/~ should have their inside perimeters in dhvajayoni. Such a house
is prescribed for the warrior class (k~atriyas) (fig.04.19).
FIG.04.18 MISRAKACATUSSALA
-
MADHYAPRARUDHASALA
Stanza- 26
m:T1rTii:~: "Q'TT.::::rn~ '<1101 '<=(l '<=t ql (I ~ Io11101 fq 'I:J't.-:l~~ I
•
~ 10 -8A WALL N-S 7A
THICKNESS 1E-W 11A
i ®
E ~~LAP= 29-16 (D)
6H-2A H~A
S s~_LA P= 33-0 ( S)
W S~LA P= 36-16 (V) If the perimeters are com~uted along the centre lines
~ N SALA P= 31-16 (G)
-
C)
OUTSIDE P= 91-00 (D)
of all wall plates in all catuisala houses, in some places
I
:I: ANKAf.!A P= 43-00 (D) that is called madhyaprarudha house.
-
0
Commentary
From the descriptions of the eight previous types of
catuSSBias, it can be seen that adherence of the prescribed
rules individually for the main halls, corner halls, corridors
22H 1
•
etc. makes their design complicated and cumbersome. The
prescriptions to have the same yoni for both inside and
FIG.04.19 CATUSSALA IAll #imer:asio~s in hasta-angulal •
method is called madhyaprarudha rule and the houses · ,ANKAfiA P= 43-Q (UJ
•
•
designed by this method are called madhyaprarudha houses. •
•
174 175
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yatn ·
ORDER OF PREFERENCE OF SALAS Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yarn
Stanza- 27 facing houses which will receive sunlight on its front side are
• preferred. Therefore, the northern sa/as facing south are called
~=!JIG ............... Gf&toi sukh8/ayas (houses giving pleasure) in Mayamata (Ref.04.05).
' '
~ ~t)1lj -:q stliJQ"tll~ Ti I But in South India located near the equator, avoiding direct
• sunlight is more pleasurable and hence the southern Sa/a
C1158f·fl CfCI fit~ ct>4CI ~CJ;:i l1 El?l "Cflj(ill\liCb with its front yard facing north direction is preferred.
SII~\Cf>CI(1_ CbcXtltll'! II Another probable explanation for giving preference to
If one s'ala is to be made, southern; in dvilala (2 I alas) the western and southern datas may be the local beliefs
. that and western; in trilala (3 salas), these and northern; in and customs. In the early vedic times, Varul)a, the bestover
of salvation, had a prominent place in the religious belief,
catuSSala (4/tilas), all these and eastern. In some places when
but later the importance shifted to Surya the bestover of
one sala is desired, here the western also is adopted. When
prosperity. Therefore, houses facing the sun (western Salas)
combinations of {iilas are made, they should be made (in
became important. Similarly, the importance shifted from
the sequence) as mentioned earlier. Dharmrija (Yam a), the regent of the south, to Dhanar8}a
Commentary (Kubera) in the north. Therefore, southern sa/a facing north
•
assumed importance .
Ekasala (one rectangular house oriented in a cardinal
direction) is of simple plan. On the other hand, the catussala The preferred order of preference is south, west, north
(with 4 main houses and 4 corner houses), built around the and then east.
Brahmasth8na and utilising the entire buildable area of the
If more than one tala is to be built, the same order of
mandala is a complex but complete house-form.
preference is to be followed; i.e. build the southern /ata first,
In the case of eka;8Ja, the first preference is for the then the western, then the eastern and lastly the northern.
.......
R R 00
l>
I• E
E <( E -
<(
co
,...
A co
,.. A ~ ---? R - RANGAM, V- VASAM,
~ A- ALINDAM
v v ~
CORE HOUSE RAISED TO
UPPER FLOORS
A
::Z::...z...
I I •
( I I I
N I t I
5H2A 2H16A 11 H02 A
1
Core with 3 a/indams Core With
• a/Jndams
• on all 4 sides I (Not tor~, /_
178
Manus.yalayacandrikabha~yatn •
Manu~yalayacandrikabllasya1n
N
l- ... E
--
1 2 3
ALONG ONE AXf S
A
2 4 CULL/
'
I -
KACAM
-- L •
-- E
1 3 FIG.04.23 I/
EXPANSION OF CATUSSALA
I
ALONG THE AXIS
- -
YAMASURPAM
S/DDARTHAM
,.
HIRANYANABHAM
-
SULAM
•
. DAM
DAN .. -
VATAM
/_
'ftlnit;t '(} f%xollo:tl~fllRI ~ ~d5ic! ~i~GIII ifl~ifQj 51CIG •(lid: Sb'fCI}liJG llJillJRcb q;~~d II
' '
Then the trisala without the eastern sala is suksetra
•
lf the twin is done without eastern and western it is
which gives prosperity. The one without the southern caiiedkaca, which will result is quarrel and fear. In the twin
sdla is culli and it causes loss of wealth. That without the without southern and northern, called sidhdrthaka,
western s'ala is dhvamsa causing enmity and loss of acquisition of wealth results. If the coupiedsdlas beginning
children. The one without the northern (saumya) is from east (i.e. east and south, south and west, west and north,
hiranyalliibhi which always gives wealth. . north and east) are absent (in acatusslila) death, fear, quarrel
and receipt of wealth respectively are said to result.
Commentary
Commentary
This stanza explains the nomenclature and the effects
of the 4 types of trisalas (fig.04.24). Six combinations of dwisalas are possible (fig.04.25).
Their names and effects are given in table 4.
TABLE 04.04
TABLE 04.05 NOMENCLATURE OF DWISALA
NOMENCLATURE OF TRISALAS •
JR3
Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha~y atn
Man u1ya;layac andrikab hasy atn
04.06 lllllJ~;:j f.31~11clc:f> f4\I~I~ICb~~ttd
EkaSala is the most common type of house used by '
commoners, mainly because of its flexibility. Starting with a "tl&i EFt t:t q~ ~ I ct f~ a ~trccj '« ~ ~ Cf> ~ t:t II
' ' '
core (sthayt), living areas can be added to it by constructing B.S., Llll.,38
(alindams) on one or more sides and also by raising the
sthayi to second and third floor. Dvisala, especially the 04.07 RiCEI~~t:tq~~JI4 ~'i'<i'(cj qf~iflct~ I
combination ,of southern and western sa/as (siddhartha) is ' ' •
CJ Ittl ~ell TTlJ rnlur:;::~(t~>I {Ill til II
TT!JI
also commonly seen, but trisalas are very rare. ' ,3
yy;r;~:t;:r'qrt't-t ~;:r;;;::;tt Gf&t ofl \I ~ Cf> Ii01 ii I
REFERENCES '
ffiCE I~(Q)~~I : II
04.01 ~ ~t\IJ~Cf) ci~l~l'1 ~:qiltet:4 ~i~Cb ~ii,ct~4> i ' '
' . ' G0'5cttft G0~1~cit Cbcl~lalJI: xi~CI ctldt~cit I
V.L.,28 t:;:rt;:t::rrgy"g"t-=rr,;:m" \)"st I fij f4;{\l:l: ~ ljd: II
B.S. ,LVIII, 39,40,41
04.02 ~llcll~=(j ~ct~l f~f~I"JlG ct~IIG fq I V.M
04.03 xCl ffi 'li ~ Jf
..... ~~l'":7· '\T.f'Dr:::r;:rtrrr;r.:::r ~i I •
' '
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- ~
~~~*II~ II
•
04.04 ll~~d'i I
'
--- """'. rr ~i '! Cl a1 ~ ~ Jl ti ct xtl ~ 1'1 Cb ~ 11
~ -' ' '
M.M., XXVI,66-67
1R5
•
1R4
•
•
•
J
-
•
Manusyalayacandrikabhasyarn
•
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig.
05.01 FOUNDATION DETAILS
Page CHAPTER- 5
190
05.02 POSITION OF DRAIN & JASMINE PLATFORM 3T~ .J Still~:
194
• 05.03 JASMINE PLATFORM
05.04 VERTICAL ELEMENTS OF A HOUSE
194 PARTS OF HOUSE
197
05.05 SHIFT OF CENTRAL LINES OF SALAS
197
~lll:
05.06 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BASEMENTS FOR HOUSES 206
05.07 BASEMENTS FOR TEMPLES
206 RAISING THE SITE FOR DRAINAGE
05.08 PARTS OF A PILLAR
210 Stanza- 1
05.09 ORNAMENTAL PILLARS • •
05.10 DETAILS OF UTTARA
212 , lJ ~ Ill -;tcp::-::a:r::ctnl-;r.:~;:;:::r~rrq~;:r ~i 'i x' I
215
05.11 ORNAMENTAL POTIKA
217 +t I d~· J I +t I x=<h~ ;:rq I '5·» (i1 'i I ?I rt'5·J I 'i I
' l '~ ~' '
05.12 TYPICAL ROOF FRAME
223 ~ I ttl I •<1'! I'5·J I o111 dl ;<t 11 'I ;:w Ill 'I tlt-
05.13 DETAILS OF CEILING ' '
223
05.14 DECORATION OF TULAPADA
224
~ •·I\CJGltStf4~~1<1 ~ : II
05.15 DECORATED CEILING
224 For the flow (of water) from the outer and inner yards
05.16 MADRAS TERRACE FLOOR
' 225 and to avoid the defect of depression in the middle, the entire
05.17 STONE ROOF DETAILS
225 area earmarked for the building should be raised by 8,12
or 16 a1tgulas with soil, stone etc.
Commentary
It has been stated earlier (ch.1, st.20) that sites
'
depressed in the middle should be av~i~ed, a~ sue~ sites
would cause stagnation of water and dtfftculty 1n dratnage.
Even in a level ground the building site is to be raised by
8,12 or 16 angulas for easy drainage of water from the
central and outer yards of the house.
189
•
Manu~yalayacandrikabha$yam
PADUKA •
.
tei~·Cbl~li~{c,~a) CIT ti~EC¥1' I
'
~-r--r..,.....,,..-,-"T"""-r--r-T~~~..,-----::- ~GR 0 UN D LEVEL ......,....-r\-,r"''"r:'1~m,..,r\+;:rT.::"c:xn : ~~ Id
z '
0 ~:;:;t;;t;;:;i;;:;;t;~::;f;;j~~f;;;;;pp-- S H 0
E WITH PAVED
d\IG~tft: qtaCbtti ~~t1'1 II
~ BRICK OR STONE, ' 3 '
c SAND & RED EARTH The height of the socle of houses of humans can be equal
z
::> to or 5/6,617, 7/8, 8/9 or 9/10 part of the height of the
0
u.. CONSOLIDATED basement of the house. Footings etc. are to be done by
IJ..
0 LAYERS OF STONE, dividing this.
::r: SAND & RED EARTH
1-
a. Commentary
w
c •
FIG.05.01 DETAILS OF FOUNDATION pedestal (socle) above the ground and below the basement
for safety, beauty and height. Mayamata also recomm~~ds
This text recommends the raising of the building site the construction of socle below basef!1ent (Ref.05.02_). h iS l
above the surrounding area. Preferably the site should be is an additional basement (upapitha) , made w1th the
ploughed and all biodegradable substances removed before
••
19 l
raising it with soil and stones . •
19()
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yarn
prescribed elements (avayava) of a regular basement (vide After leaving half the ayama (elongation) exceeding
stanzas 18 to 20 of this chapter). Its projection outside the the width of the gartanka(za in the north and half in the
basement is 1H, 1 H 8A 1 H 16A or 2H and height equal to or south, when the central square is divided into 8x8 grid, the
a fraction 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 8/9, 9/10 of the basement. platform for the jasmine plant should be made in the
northernpada of the twopadas ofapa or then in the southern
Mayamata prescribes the projection to be one-tenth to
cell of the two padas of apavatsa in the middle envelope.
five-tenth of height of basement. It may even be one to three
danda. (Ref.05.03). Mayamata categories the socles into 3 Stanza- 5
viz. vedibhadra, pratibhadra and subhadra (Ref.05.04). ~-n.... ;:::r;::rr;:=l'"hJT~I\;I"';:;rt; ......,.~......• ~ q fCt rte q;) ai
Safety from(1) erosion of the ground outsjde the -;:r:;::r· err =<fl qq) diEICI~Cit{i ~d ~~CII~f:~d err I
basement, (2) from water logging and (3)from reptiles is
achieved by this. Since the entire building will be elevated,
-
it will add to its appearance. -a"O II
'
Though this text as well as Mayamata prescribe that That platform for jasmine plant is prescribed with
the upapTtha is a necessary part (sakalanilayamasurato- dhvajayoni; and may be square, octagon, 1~ sided polygon
dhassamantat), some others say that it is optional or circle with the limbs beginning with upapitha etc. or with
(upapTtham tu kartavyam yadhavasyam naralaye). kuntuda belt etc. The height is to be equal to the height of
Therefore, it can be said that this is necessary only when it adhisthana or one part less when it (adh~!htina) is divided
is required for the safety of the building or it is desired to by (~~mbers) 6 to 11. It should avoid crossing the diagonal.
have an elevated platform for majestic appearance.
-
Inside the courtyard, the offset of the upapitha will cause
Commentary
a depressed rectangular yard (gartankaQa). This should be It is commonly seen that a platform for jasmine or tulsi
in V[~abhayoni or dhavajayoni. It should have an outlet drain is made in the ankara. The central square of the ankal}a is
in the NE corner, either in the north or in the east direction taken leaving half the elongation on the north and. half on
(fig~05.02). the south. The square is then divided to 8x8 cells. Smce the
BrahmavTthi should be left free in the houses of humans,
PLATFORM FOR JASMINE PLANT the platform is constructed in the N-E co_!ner in th~ northern
Stanza- 4 pada of Apa or the southern pada of Apavatsa In such a
JId!'116·J I OJ d t'!ffiS way that it will not vitiate (cause vedha of the d1agonal
' (karnasUtra) (fig.05.02). Though circle, square, octagon and
~ffll'41ti'"ICJIC{> Tf l=f~liHj'lJ3)teltCCb~tidlt;ll(h I 16 ~ided polygon are adopted as plan shape.s for the
v;:;;:~~r"'Jlll'~·rcrrr;::r:nt: ~ Gf&1 ul platform, the square is the most common shape (ftg.05.03).
To avoid karnavedha, its lateral dimension is to be less than
II the width of .a cell in the 8x8 grid by half the width of the
ll)3
192
•
•
Stanza - 7
FIQ.05.03 PLATFORM FOR
JAGATI JASMINE PLANT ~ict?il \I~~ Iin q tStCff4~ttl C'~ ~~I G --+-1o: -
' '
- • ~..... <J \=J~d~'ld q?IJOtl;:i : I
PADUKAM '
-
Al,~~nrt·
•
~~~~ II
194 •
195
•
-
Manu~yaJayacandrikahhfi$ya'n
M anu~yaJayac andrikab hii~y atn
What is prescribed everywhere (in all houses) as the •
WESTERN HALL 0 7
II EASTERN HALL
Thatpatra11ta1za is prescribed outside and inside with
equal or unequal measurements and with perimeter having
prescribed JlJizi, for the houses of humans and for the 10
- I
-
dipa111iila of a1ztahara structure and for glJpuras of temples. 1- BRAHMASUTRA
•
SOUTHERN HALL -
2- YAMASUTRA
~
-
Commentary 8 - BRAHMANABHI I
0 - POSITION OF DOOR
,-
Th e offset of th e plinth (from th e verti cal plan e of uttara) C- CENTRE LINE OF SALA
-
appli es to th e dipamala stru cture for oil lamps whi ch form s
FIG. 05.05 SHIFT OF CENTRAL LINES OF SALAS
1Y6 197
Man U$yalayac andriwb ha~y a1n
Man u~ya.layac andrikab ha~y am
coJaj 314014 !'lt;~olttltl Mllll~ffi CJfA'!-
the third parakara and to the gopura (gate house) of temples
also. But in all cases, the yoni of the perimeter, both inside • ~rr.~ ;::r.~~: ~:q m~ \il '1 ~'!I CJ ~ ll4> err ttcf: I I
and outside, should be that prescribed for the house. For
If the central lines of the inner courtyard and the
walls of wood viz, nira, it is advisable to take centre line
houses coincide, the residents of that house will suffer
perimeter.
the loss of children and grand children. Therefore, from
ANKANA east onwards (east, south, west, north), the shift (gamana)
•
shall be done in clockwise direction by 3,9,7 and Sangulas
Stanza- 9
• so as to generate their yo1zis and if necessary by yavas
..... : 5'11'5·31 OJ
' (instead of angulas).
I Stanza- 11
'
~Gi~fi~~dl~
~~~~~nn~~~~~ I
•
For all the four houses, the portion outside the paduka "]T;:I:~ d Gift ~ CJ f:\) ~ (f-
is mentioned as prankaiJa (yard) by learned people. This is ' '
~tq II
rectangular with north-south elongation and with dhvaja-
yoni. Itstiytima will be 1,2,4,8,9,12 or 16angulas or 1, 2 or 3 The gamana1tgulas prescribed for the specific
hastas or (computed) by gunams'a rule in the sa1ne manner . directions are suitable with addition of8,16, or 24angulas
• •
for those directions. Therefore, for houses with narrow
Commentary corridors, they are to be used.
The ankarJa is the yard outside the lowest footing of the
Commentary
basement. The outside yard is called bahyankana and the
•
inside one is called madhyankaQa. The madhyankaQa (also It has already been mentioned under stanza 11 of ch 2
called prankaQa) should be rectangular with its longer side in that the coincidence of the centre-tines of the ankaoa and
north-south direction. The difference between the length and the main house constit·utes vedhadosa •
and should be
the width (ayama) can be 1,2,4,8,9, 12 or 16 angula or 1,2 or 3 avoided. For this, the centre lines of the houses are shifted
hasta. The proportion between length and width can also be clockwise (fig.05.05). The shift is 3 angula towards south
computed by guQ§m5a rule (vide st. 6, ch 4). for eastern house, 9 angula towards west for the southern
house, 7 angula toward north for the western house and 5
RULES FOR GAMANA OR SHIFT .OF CENTRE LINES I angula toward east for the northern house. If it is difficult to
Stanza- 10 • align the pillars when the gamana is done in angula, it can
be done in yava units also i.e. it can be 3,9,7 and 5 yavas
respectively.
199
198 •
Manu~ya,layacandrikabha~yatn
angula. Multiplying by 3 and dividing by 8, the yoni of gamana because of lack of gap. Therefore, generally it is not
is 1 ( dhvajayon1) (3x3/8, remainder1) as prescribed for desirable to have the width of corridor too much greater
eastern house. For the southern house, gam ana is 9 angula. than, or more than 2 or 3 angulas shorter than, one sixth
Multiplying 3 and dividing by 8, the yoni number is obtained of the length of the house.
as 3, the same as that prescribed for the southern house.
The same consideration applies to the other houses also. Commentary
By adding 8, 16, or 24 angulas to the gamanangulas Eight corridors connect the 4 main houses and 4 corner
the yoni remains unchanged. Hence, these higher values house. Since the main function of the corr"dors is to link
can also be used. These will become necessary to avoid the houses, their size should be optimum. If they are very
vedha in houses with narrow corridors. · wide , naturally, the cost will increase and will result in waste
of space and money. If they are very narrow, the ventilation
There is an anomaly in the units prescribed for the shift will be affected and they will not serve as passages. Hence
(gamana) of houses. If the gamana of the houses are in they will not serve as easy passages.
angulas why must they be multiplied by 3 to compute the
yoni number? In the case of perimeter of the house this The width of the corridors is made approximately equal
multiplications was needed to convert hasta into pada. to 1/6 of the length of the house. The width should not be
Hence, here the units given (3,9,7 and 5) are more likely to much more than this and should be not be less than this by
be parva than angula. Additions prescribed to them in para 2 or 3 angulas. If we take passage width of 1 H-8A (96cm) ,
11 (ie. 8, 16,24,etc.) also can be in parva. This is to be the length of the house will be just 6 times this (ie. 8H),
investigated from extant buildings or other sources. leaving 2 corridors each of 1 H8A on the sides.
- -
PADAMANA
CORRIDORS ..
Stanza- 13
Stanza- 12
· t~tli~ · ~:ctx'<ll \l~1qt~~1-
f4 Cfib) oII cl :q '""' ~CI·<~tel•<l~lcll
; r '11 ~ OG-
' !. -~· x=tlf~q;~f.31co1f:l1a~cj \Cl~Jcl~ 1
fiHSC"4 (j ~~lllll ~ lf4~('lf~dl &.Hl:lit I '
'
To separate the main houses (in the cardinal
dire~tions) and the corner houses, there are eight
corridors. If they are large, waste of money and if small
diseases will happen. If the walls touch, death will occur
2 ()()
•
201
Man u~yalayacandrikab haUJ a1n
Manu~yalayacandrikahha~yam Stanza- 15
Commentary . +tctf .\) ()~: I
Padamana is the height of the building up to the level ~~=t I~ ~I J II'S·Cf>G ~l ~lli tJ II~ II
-
of uttara (fig.05.04). If there is upapitha, it is measured from '
the top of upapTtha and if not from the levelling course at the Thus there are 14 measurements of basements. From
ground level. Padamana is thus the height of adhi$.thana plus them, if one part out of 6,7,8,9,10 and 11 divisions is
the height of the wall/pillar. The minimum value prescribed for subtracted separately, (they become) 84 types.
padamana is 3H 6A (234cm). It can be equal to the width of
Commentary
the house or 1112, 11/4, 11/6, 11/7, 11 /8, 11/ 9, 1111o, 3/4, 5/6, 6/7,
7/8, 8/9, or 9/10 of the width i.e., it should be between 3/4 to As mentioned earlier, adhi?fhana is a fraction of the
1112 times the width. If the minimum measure of padamana of p8dam8na. This fraction can be 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8,
3/4 width corresponds to 3H-6A, the minimum width of the 1/9, 1/10, 6/21, 5/18, 7/24, 2/7, 4/15, 4/14- altogether 14
sa/a will be 4H-8A. The inside width of this house will be values. In addition to these, the 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 8/9, 9/10, or
3H-16A, assuming a wall thickness of 8A. 10/11 part of each one of these 14 values can also be used.
Thus there are 14x6=84 values.
During the early period of evolution of the house form,
the roof was supported on pillars rising from the levelled It can be seen that some of there fractions are the same,
ground without basement. Hence the term padamana was e.g. 6/21 and 2/7. In short it can be taken that the height of
used to denote the total height of the pillar. When adhi?thana the basement is to be between 1/ 12 and 1/ 3 of the
was added as a distinct feature, the term was continued to
padamana.
be used to denote the height up to the uttara (i.e., height of
basement + height of pillar/wall). ELEMENTS OF BASEMENT
BASEMENT Stanza -16
•
~~ ~ Cl ~ ~~ {4~ ct> :
•
- ::::;:::rrk.)'" ......
' qy II
T<Jt~G-mr;nt1'rr2-:4i·mrr ~ m
' '
II When the desired height of adh~{hana is divided b.y 9,
I
'
2(}5
•
Manu~ylllayacandrikabha~ya1n
PRATI
•
Thus, after making the basement with strength, then
- GALA
I
I
what is left of padanza11a is to be known as the height of
• ~
N
~ • the pillar. Here, by adding or subtracting one part after
-
~
~
M
• •
dividing by 6,7,8,9,10 or 11 also, (the height of pillar can
N ipADUKA
be) adopted. From the desired length of the pillar, the
-~-----
-
height of the seating (piidap(tha) known as oma and the
MANCAKA PRATIMANCAKA GALAMANCAKA
- thickness of potika should be deducted.
I
Commentary
FIG ..05.06 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BASEMENTS FOR HOUSES
The pillar or wall supporting the uttara is supported by
•
I
the basement. The difference between the padamana and
the height of basement is its height. The actual height can
be reduced or increased by its 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/1 0 or 1/
PRAT/ •
11 part. The pillar is seated on a pedestal known as oma.
~ I GALA At the top of the pillar a supporting bracket called potika is
~
,.... -
.... ·~
:s
fKAMPA provided (fig.05.08) to distribute the load from the uttara
/ ........
N
~ over the pillar. The thickness of these two should be
KUMUDA KUMUDA
subtracted from the calculated height of the pillar to get the
:s ' •
actual height of the shaft (ka[Jga) .
JAGAT/
Stanza- 22
•
f4·~H:ilq qJG~d Xj~G
-
PADUKA
PADABANDHA PRATIBANDHA
-
={, 11111 tft rm7hllrnt;:irrltctt::r;:rr~ . err d ~ ~-~ lt-
•
' '
l·fltlt~fl;:i ~ "CfG'"f)q+J+Jfq ~~ CIIG1'11Eif;4d ~ II
• "FIG. 05.07 BASEMENTS FOR TEMPLES '
• Then, thepadap~ha (onza) made with hard stone or core
of wood, square, octagonal or sixteen sided or in some places
circular section should be placed above the basement with
•
•
, width equal to the diagonal at the base of the pillar and
height equal to half that (diagonal) or 1/3 or 1/4 or 1/2 less
than that, resembling lotus flower and sometimes with
fillets.
2()6
207
Manu ~ya.layac andrikab na. yarn Man u~yiilayac andrikab ha~y am
Commentary
•
Stanza- 23
~' 11111 : ~~:r::n~r::rr'tiT'lJT11rt:]"t=1t;;11r:rl"]:r::;ITn1hn-:Ji=~T~t::n : I In the commentary on stanza 14 of chapter 3 mention
was ~ade of the p~oportionate system of dar;riam~na used
. ~\ii~fdcbJ'! &1 dGifd~l<'fl'i~l(gl: xili,,ll: II
for p~lars and carv1ngs. Its details are given in this stanza.
' '
. All pillars, with square tenons of width equal to one
The load-bearing capacity of the pillars depend on their
third of own width, should be placed above their own
~lend~rness ratio viz. ratio of its least lateral dimension to
onzas with the said tenons joined with their mortises. 1ts he1ght (length). According to this text, this ratio is to be
Commentary (Stanza 22 and 23) between 1/11 and 1/4. For pillars of wood, this is usually
1/10 or 1/11. For stone pillars, it may be between 1/8 or
The om a should be made with strong materials like hard 1/9 and for brick pillars it can be 1/6 or 1/7. For pillars made
stone or heart -wood. Square, octagonal, sixteen sided or of mud this ratio will be 1/5 or 1/4. It is interesting to note
sometimes circular shapes are adopted. Its width is equal that the con.cept of slenderness ratio is used in the design
to the largest diagonal dimension at the base of the pillar of columns 1n modern engineering practice.
and thickness is 1/2 the width. It can be made in ornamental The pillars usually taper towards the top. The top width
shapes of lotus and/or with vajana (fillet). The connection is 7/8 to 10/11 part of the bottom width. According to
between pillar and om a is made with mortise and tenon joint, Mayamata, the diameter at top is 5/6 to 11/12 of that at
with the tenon of width equal to one third width of pillar firmly bottom. This is taken as the unit ( daoga) for computing the
seated in the mortise made in the oma. dimensions of all other parts (fig.05.08) as indicated earlier
Stanza- 24 in commentary on stanzas 13 and 14 of chapter 3. (also
ref.05.09).
Stanza- 25
'2\ 11111 f\ I• '1~ d I\! ~"Hf:::::r:;y-::::r:r.J3i) t4+t I J II : ~i ~ f\ II
&ZTJ>f~>4 I: I
~~r-=rr·rtTTTr:::::rr.~s Qt~ d GC1 lt q Ien ext ;?J G0\5 ,4 :il : I I & tI ~i ~mtl~-;:::r;:J~rr.::~r;r -
The bottom width of the pillar will be 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, Cl ~:q sm: ~1 ct ffi "A±::r::rrr,:r:]'Jr;rtr'"~-:q ll aI f4illlt : I I
1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10 or 1/11 of the height of the pillar and
the top width will be reduced by 1/8, 119, 1/10 or 1/11 All pillars must be made with square (section) at the
t •
part of the bottom width. This (top width) is called da~z{ia. top to the length equal to its bottom diagonal
Then by this, the dimensions of timber works are (kar~zapranzaiJa), with square shape at bottom to the
computed in some place. The top width of the pillar in length equal to 31/2, 3, 5 or 6 times kar1Japrantal}a, with
the wall (viz., pilaster) is named as the da~ztfa for its square section at centre equal to karJJapranta'!a (of the
mid section) and with octagonal (section) at top and
decorative works.
I
2()9
•
2 11
21 ()
•
•
below the middle, should be made with width equal to
II
~ ~ 11/4 or 11/2 of its (prescribed) width. This should be done
I I
• .....
, 7' with stones in properly prepared mortar or strong bricks
•
-.. ~
in some places for the entire height or half height.
c 'P.J •
~
•
-"' Commentary
.... r I I
...
-..... •
•
3 3 When the pillar is very tall, its bottom width is increased
I.
I
• to 11 /4 or 11 12 times the usual width. This is done to a height
2 2 ~~
•
'(., equal to 11 12 times its prescribed width: Alternatively, for
the entire bottom half, the width is increased. In such cases,
, '\
• the bottom portion can be made with stone masonry or brick
's J
_.4
masonry. Also the entire pillar is made of stone or brick, if
J.. {
•
it is felt necessary to do so .
N ~ Stanza- 28
~
D 0
~
-....r-r
Stanza- 29
~!(111ll!fl\l=(di=(~JJIGclf4~i:tl~ d~l ~,1111'"1-
-
~~iltiGCI!II~iddi -:q df! clEI'1i 'Qq) \I~ q)~Cblli I KILA
;
~
' '
~WTn1f~;::m:c;:r.:!';::n~~l'J'1T':mf.i~· en (, =(-
•
• BRESSUMER
supporting the riipotlzara with (its) width equal to half the PILLAR--........,
WALL
sum of the widths of top of pillar and uttara or equal to the DETAILS OF JOINTS ·
Manu$yalayacandrikabhasyam • Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
Stanza- 30
•
;
. ~
daf)c;ia (top width of pillar). But potika, like the capital of the
•
Greek columns, is made an ornamental piece. Hence the
dimensions must be chosen to make it beautiful. Several
motifs like lion, elephant, gargoyle, dwarfs etc. are carved •
I
on the potika (fig.05.11 ).
WIDTH OF UTTARA •
•
Stanza- 31
~'11111tt'<'ll~iJG !'1Cf>~'1f4~~q) \lxiDii ~ d I~
POTIKA FOR A CORNER PILLAR
• •
'
I
' ' ' •
'
217
•
216
Manufyalayacandrikabha~yam ManusyalayacandrikabhasyaJn
• •
The width of the uttaras should be decided by the rule DECORATIONS OF UTTARA
mentioned for the bottom width of the pillars or as 6, 8, 12 Stanza- 33
or 16 angulas. That with thickness equal to (its) width is CUGf-;f' llCl<:~d'Hil ~l'<ltlfGi~ I
the auspicious khal}tjottara, that with thickness equal to -::r:;:;~·qyn']'T";j-::r ~ "SF> ¥011 SQl ~=ll q c c'"f C1 ~I te+t 131 a: I I
three-fourth the width is called patrottara and is medium '
If there is only one vajana, when the thickness of uttara
and that with thickness equal to half the width is called is divided by five, by two parts the projection and by the
rupottara and is inferior. remaining part, the belt (pa!ta) are to be done.
Stanza- 32 Stanza- 34
\3(t~f4~'11~EI4 «t\ll~=lJifq !'l<b~~d &qlfq I ~ IJ I+II fTt ~ '"f ~ (1 f5i+JI3J ~ : I
' '
O?T q 'tdl d'flttitcutf~a : II I --<"-1 ~~I ~:q ~'*fill: '<<fl ti1 ffi q ¥'tfa}f1l : I I
In some locations, the width and thickness ofuttara can In uttara with minor vajana, when the thickness is
be alternated. That is calledculi (cuzhika-bressumer). Due divided by eight, by three parts the major (vajana), by one
to this (position) the rafters should be fixed on that. part the minor (vajana), by four parts the belt and by their
owQ heights the projections of both happen.
Commentary
Stanza- 35
It has been mentioned earlier (Stanzas 21 of this chapter) ~JOJi~l·ll~clld'<~ (j Gt'Rli 'i~ct Clt\li;i
that the bottom width of the pillar should be between 1/4 and
1/11 of its height. The same rule is applied to fix the width of -;r;t:-::rr:;:rn:rorr.rl;:rl~ 'i ~ d q c e ~ ~I tC i ~ I~ : I
'
uttara. Alternately, the width may be taken as 6, 8, 12 or 16 ~2HcftSQt~qfA-'qJii~t~ '<i<ihi'<~Cfiffi
angu/as according to the requirements of strength and
: II
appearance. The thickness can be 1/2, 3/4 or same as the
width as dictated by the considerations of its position and its For all uttaras, when thickness is divided by 5, the major
strength(fig.05.1 0). These 3 types are called rupottara, vajana should be done by 2 parts, the minor vajana by one
patrottara and khaQcjottara respectively. In locations like and the belt by the balance. When the thickness of all uttaras
verandah where the uttara is supported on pillars placed wide is divided by (numbers) 4 to 11 the projection ofboth vajalzas
apart, the depth is to be more than the width to avoid bending. should be done suitably by one (part). In other places also
Such an uttara is called culi, or culika . While there will be an this is the rule (for vajaJlQ ).
additional uttara called k$udrottara placed above the 3 types
of uttara mentioned earlier to take the rafter, in the case of Commentary
culi , the rafters are directly fixed to it. This is because its depth The uttaras are made with stepped verticat faces. The
is equal to more than its width and can easily accommodate projecting portion is called the v8jana (wing or fillet) and the
the rafters.
219
218
Manu ~yiilayac andrikab ha~y am Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
l?wer portion is called the belt (paga). If there is only one Commentary
ftllet, the ratio of thickness of vajana and patta is 3:2. If
The rafters are generally not placed directly over the
there are 2 fillets, the lowers portion is patta and the two
uttara but fixed to what are called minor uttara (k~udrouttara)
proje:tic:~s are Va.janas. The top v8jana i;· major vajana placed over the uttara. These minor uttaras will have depth
(mahavaJana) and the lower one is minor (a/pavajana). The
equal to depth of uttara, but their width will be half th e depth.
proportions of their width are shown in figure 05.1 0. The
Wooden pegs, pegged in between the rafters are used to
projections can be from 1/4 to 1/11 times the thickness.
fix these to the uttara (fig.0512). These pegs should have
Stepped projections (vajanas) are made in other wooden
thickness equal to 1/3 the height of the minor uttara and
members like oma, potika, door frame etc. The above width equal to 4 times its (pegs) thickness. The purpose of
mentioned rules are applicable in those cases also. the k?hudrottara is to support the roof frame when it is made
Stanza- 36 • and assembled on the ground as well as to facilitate the
~ tt Ill trtt~:-r.rr.=ci-· --r""P.....+-+ ~--................. I removal of roof frame without affecting the lower portions .
This enables one to dismantle the roof frame without
II removing the uttara. The masonry wall is held stable by the
Then after placing the potika over the pillar, the uttara as a tie and it also serves to support the roof thus
giving stability to the structure below and above it.
uttara should be fitted such that the tenon of the pillar
projecting through the hole in the potika will be in its Stanza- 38
mortice (avata). ctlclJ(-\i ~sfq -=q GJ~'i~
•
Commentary
The tenon at the top of the pillar will project through th e
~tf!~l q~> <_f~Ffi '«'ill~ qRCb~~~~~ , -:q <tJ•Hi
hole in the potika (fig.05.08). The uttara will have a : : ~Cb<.>t(_fll~'i~~ll ~~I: II
depression to which this projection will fit.
These pegs should be placed along the centre lines of
MINOR UTTARA kuta and centre of all house and doors. All of them (pegs)
• •
Stanza- 37 should be fixed with a shift of one yava from the centre.
• After spacing the rafters generally by adjustment, the pegs
31~tt:il veil viJoG~dl~i ~I
should be placed centrally between them. The pegs are
'
: ~:cilfildGI'QCb9~: II prescribed to be in odd numbers and all the rafters are to
Then the uttara reaper (uttarapa{!ika) called minor be in even numbers.
uttara (k~udrottara) with height equal to the height of uttara Commentary
and width equal to its half should be placed vertically on
This describes th e positi on of th e pegs . It is prescribed
the uttara with the outer portion flush with it and pegged th at th e pegs should be pl aced at vital points like th e ce ntre
by suitable wooden pegs .
22 1
22()
Nlanu~ya,laya<. andrikabha~·y anz
~ es of t e kuta, midli~ es J!
house a c~ - e r es o!: co rs.
- e pegS a "9 . 0 be OlaCeiJ ~en- a -
KUTA
..
- o eve he cen re line o~ e pag s o a s · ~e by RIDGE
_a ara in ya /a LJni s in he ~ ~~ · ise · ec-·o - ese COLLAR
Commentary TULA
UTTARA VALABHI
· or u ara is placed O\ er the ai en there '
•
~e il i g. en ere i ~ ""e li .... . _ ailed
BHITTI A
ara are placed o~ er the a T en,
·~.. i em. j ists are pi a~ e j 'r e h of
- •
ara is "' d a . (i a an d a \ e . ~ ,t1 11 e ,t r
SECTION A A
--
TULAPADA (JOIIST END)
,. --~-- .
.. - -- -- - - ---
.,_.-.. -..... .----,.._·..-.- -----6-
1
/
•
~
I MUD /LIME 'PLASTER
I
L._._ - - - - - · - - - - __ .J... WITH ADMIXTURES
•
'' •
•
'' •
--- . •
•
'' ~
• 0 CORATED PLANK
•
2 COURSES OF BRICK
JOIST
'' ON EDGE IN LIME MORTAR
'' •
/
•
WALL -· SECONDARY JOISTS <JOISTS
NAVAKHANDA
•
DECORATED WITH FLORAL-MOTIFS IN TEMPLES, DECORATION WILL
•
.at: WITH NAVAGRAHA FIGURES OF FIGURES OF LAKSMI OR OTHER DEITIES FIG. 05.16 MADRAS TERRACE FLOOR
•
COPING
•
•
.,._ _ PARAPET
STONE ·S AB ,,
•
SPOUT
KAPOTA
WALL /PILLAR _ ___,
•
FIG. 05.17 STONE'ROOF DETAILS
•
• •
I
• •
225
224
•
-
•
Manusyalayacandrikabhasyam
~
Manu ~yalayac andrikab hasy a1n
of suitable thickness without any crevices. Over this certain REFERENCES
leaves which resist termite attack (eg: Acanthus sp) are
spread and a small layer of soil is rammed to form a good 05.01 ><"NCf~«1'Hj 'ft•'hi TRlf 'ffif ~i·'1Gi qG~ I
' ' ' '
floor.
~cl1~'1~'(i;q~ lf'{lf '(i'{Cff4qdCb'{~ II
Stanza- 40 ' ' ' '
M.M.,XII-02
: I
~~~~'{~tll'j~df'{~ -:q vft . d~Cf II
-:rr.::h. ~ ~ U\5· 4> c'1 Cb I~ f4 fi:l ?I ~ ?1- ' ' '
M.M.,XIII-01
,. .,.· +t ~ d tlll a I I
'
Or (it) can be done majestically with special treatment 05.03 q->ili~ll·d~~tOFI \il•~IIG Pl'{ 1~~
3 I
' ' '
of beams like kapota, valabhi, tuwpada, facing planks and GO.S crt '(if'{l:tGO.S crt ~Go.S crt f":31GOZ5Cb 'f! II
so on and also by kha1Jflaphalaka with beautiful paintings, ' M.M.,XIII-04
drawings, different figures and so on.
05.04 3t~tdl~\i1lJ(lll CIJ ttli d(ttl<:;~ll{ICbJt I
Commentary
~ SJRJ'+ts; x.ptS: -:q ~et'! II M.M.,XIII-05
In the case of buildings with ceilings, kapota is made
• ~··
with stone to throw away water (fig.05.13). The ends of the 05.05 \3~dl
joists are made to project outside in some cases especially
II
when they are protected by alinda. These projecting ends
are called tulapada. The space between the tulapadas are •
M.M., XIV- 9
covered with carved wooden elements called valabhi
(fig.05.14). The ceiling can also be decorated with carvings. 05.06
Motifs of lotus, Laksmi
•
etc. are carved in the cells between Sll\1>1~ ~rctJ;:r I
the joists and cross-pieces. The joists and the }ayantis are
decorated with vajana and the nodal points are carved with ~ix ccltfUI
'
floral motifs (fig.05.15). I1 M.M., XIV-38
There is no reference to flat roof construction in
05.07 >I ~ t) ci ";:f Cf> x\I al ~i ~ C1 ~ cj : I
Manu~yalayacandrika probably because flat roof is an ' '
adaptation of the floor construction, as typically seen in the GIXI'{~ <ffi SJRii.9ci '{i·'IG 61~ Tl 4("ltcl~ I
•
' ' ' '
Madras Terrace roof. (fig.05.16). In the stone roofs of 41G~·Q'"I~tdl;:j t)c:;4)li ll~l~d¥0f 11
temples, the tula (joists) are seen replaced by stone slabs , '
M.M., XIV-44
simplifying the construction (fig.05.17) .
227
226
Manu. yiilayac andrikab ha~yam
•
0 5. 0 9 ~1 xct q) fa CJ> £11 ']"T':;::::T ~ I ~ I~> ~ ~ f4 fit f5t ttl I ELEMENTS OF ROOF ·
' '
•• •
M.M.,XV-28
M.M.,XV-17
22R
ManusyaJayacandrikabha$ya1n
•
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig.
Page
06.01 ELEMENTS OF ROOF FRAME WITH ARUDHOTTARA CHAPTER- 6
• 233
06.02 DETAILS AT EAVE
233 31"~ S~Ztlll :
06.03 ROOF SHOWING STRAIGHT AND INCLINED RAFTERS 238
06.04 ROOF SHOWING JACK RAFTERS
238
ELEMENTS OF ROOF
06.05 DETAILS AT RIDGE
241
06.06 PYRAMIDAL ROOFS
06.07
..
KUTA
241
•
244 RAISED UTTARA (ARDDHOTTARA)
06.08 AJAYUDDHSANDH/ AND ARDDHAPANISANDHI 244
06.09
- -
BALAKU!A
•
245 Stanza- 1
06.10 DIFFERENT SLOPES OF ROOF FOR TEMPLES .J;:;tt til 11 ~ CiU trl ft Cl 11 ~ RJ \q I~><~ 11 Qj d ~
(MANASARA) 247
06.11 DIFFERENT SLOPES FOR HOUSES (MANASARA) 248 I
06.12 LENGTH OF RAFTERS 249
~ ~:-nTI~rr;:;r,m~~;:r;:;:r: '{~I Gffit •4 (j "ffi!
06.13 WIDTH OF RAFTERS 253
06.14 MARKING REFERENCE LINE OF RAFTER 256 diCJd -;r.;:n~~~ q;o}tt~~ f4tibi1141C:t~RI: II
. '
06.15 METHOD FOR CUTIING RAFTERS WHEN
In small houses, only the outer (bahyottara) (is
SLOPE IS NOT 1:1 256
sufficient); in large houses the raised uttara (arudhottara)
06.16 ROOF FRAME WITH CENTRAL POSTS 258
06.17 HOUSE AS PURUSA 258 also occurs. That is to be done over the tie beam
•
(vi~kambha) with inward shift of 8, 16, 24 etc. al'zgula
•
(from outer uttara) and yonis etc. prescribed for that
house. Its rise is same as the shift. The length of the
(inclined) supporting strut of the beam is equal to its
diagonal.
Stanza- 2
-::t::"::::rr:::r.:n1t?T:~ : I
~? II
'
The supporting strut of the tie beam should be
•
decorated with different wave motifs and pictures of
kalpalata etc. and also with buds and flowers emerging
out of the large wavy patterns .
•
•
J3
- 1.
•
Manu.syaJayacandrikabna~yam
Manusyalayacandrikiibha~yatn
•
Commentary •
•
PIN - •
VISKAMBHA
, (TIE)
and strength of the roof frame. The rafters connected by
the ridge at the top and fixed to the wall plate at bottom will
KSUDRO :4RA
form a rigid frame. Further, there will be collars between •
- UTTARA
•
~- VI$KAMBHAPADA (STRUT) -~
the rafters to tie the rafters against spreading and these
•
EA
arDdhottara is called alinda. This distance should be an r-"2 ~
2 J 1
' ' .... ..
integer multiple of 8 angula. It is prescribed that the yoni ... .. ~
.... ...
and other characteristics of the perimeter measured outside KSUDROTTARA ...
•
•
0 . .. ..., EAV REAPER
....
arudhottara should be the same as that prescribed for the cr·,
perimeter of the house. This is ensured by the shift of WALL PLATE
arDdhottara by multiples of 8 angula from the wall plate. SECTIONS OF EAVE REAPER
This shift is called alinda. The alinda width should not be
greater than the span between arudhottaras (central span)
i.e. it should not be greater than the total span .
FIG. 06.02 DETAILS AT EAVE •
232 233
•
value is 1/3. This means that not less than 1/3 the height of
hence eave projection can be smaller.
pillar or wall is covered by the eave projection. (fig.06.02)
and this can go up to half the height. UTTARA, NOT TO BE BROKEN
In good designs, the perimeter measured outside the Stanza- 5
eave also is considered important and is made with the
same yoni as that of the perimeter of the wall plate. This :I
means that the eave-projections shall be in multiples of 8A.
")~ "
- --
234
Manu~yalayacandrikabfia~yam Manu~yaJayacandrikablla~yatn
fixed on top of the minor uttara with their top fitted in the
I
ridge (vanzsa).
II
Commentary
The eave-drop can be done by 1, 1112, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7
times the width or the depth of uttara. When combining The rafters are divided into two categories(1 ): the
with other houses, the rafters, eaves etc. can be broken. But straight (rju or prak{ta) ones also called common rafters and
the(2) slanting (vik[ta) ones.(fig.06.03). The slanting rafters
uttara is the most important part of all houses, hence the
are again divided into koti (hip rafters) and upakoti or anukoti
uttaras should not be broken.
(slanting rafters on the hip ends). The common _rafters are
Commentary called madhyalupas in Mayamata and have the1r top ends
fitted into the ridge and bottom ends into the minor (ksudra)
When large eave projections are not required, for example, uttara fixed above the wall plate. The ko[i is the longest
when two houses are combined, the drop of the eave can be slanting rafter and upako_tis are the shorter slanti~g. rafters
made 1 to 7 times of the width or depth of uttara. When two at the two shorter sides. All the slanting rafters f1t 1nto the
houses are to be combined, the rafters and the eaves can be kuta at the top and the minor uttara at bottom. The nu~ber
broken, but the uttara should be continuous and complete, since of straight rafters should be same on both sides of the ndge.
uttara is the most important part and is the basis for deciding The slanting rafters will be equal in number at both the
the yoni which in turn decides the orientation as well as the hipped ends also.
dimension of the building.
This may be compared to the modern pra?tice in which all
RULES FOR RAFTERS the rafters on the two ends are fixed on the hlp rafter and are
Stanza- 6 called jack rafters (fig.06.04).
?li~'"l ~.:q I{,ell I ~'1 ~ I : :I RIDGE
\T.Jlt~~~~;r.:::;::r:;:::r,;:,.r,rn~:rr: I I Stanza- 8
: ~i~t<tl: I
ra ters on e SI ' h
~ ~FcfchNI ~~~kll!ll: f1'<!1tll·~11~ II . h ·dth and length both equal to t ree-
The r1d e can ave WI
All slanting rafters should be made with the ends on
the kuta, and all the straight ones on the two sides should be
•
• 237
236 •
•
-
Manu$yalayacandrikahha~yam
Man u.syalayacandrikab ha~·yatn
At the joints with the rafters, belts and fillets should be
HIP'RAFTER STRAIGHT RAFTER
f made with 3 or 4 times the rafter thickness.
Commentary
PLAN
• sv--rtrhr.:;::r;;rurn~,~#;:n tT: c61 cl x=t ~- c61 ~a : 1
'
FIG. 06J03, ~OOF SHOWING STRAIGHT & INCLINED RAFTERS 3f Itil fl S~ ;:;roT'lTrl~trrrt~n d ~¥II Gtfl ~-
ci1 tt>)s~ II
• •
w The kU,ta should be such that the tenons of the hip
~ ~ rafters will fit the mortice in it sides and the ends of the
w
II rafters coming from the sides are fixed by iron nails. The
tenon at the top of the rafter is the support for the kuta.
•
II
-c
l) •
Hence, this is prescribed to be bottom down. In a square
~-~ house, all rafters are slanting (vikrta).
·a: I• '
w
t:< Commentary
a: a:
w
-%
Q.
,.. t The hip rafters and the other slanting rafters on the sides
• <
a: are fixed to the kuta (pendant or newel) which is fixed at the
•
~ , I
~
0
..,ct:
end of the ridge piece. The kuta will have mortices (randhra) to
I' accommodate the tenon of all the slanting rafters. This requires
•
STRAIGHT RAFTERS
provision of as many number of mortices as there are slanting
PLAN rafters. As this may cause difficulties, this practice is generally
FIG. 06.04 ROOF SHOWING JACK RAFTERS limited to temples and other important buildings. In unimportant
constructions, the slanting rafters (other than the hip rafters)
239
23R
•
moreyava.
WALL PLATE
Commentary •
RAFTER
are to be fixed with iron nails with their tops at the ridge.
243
242
i\1auu~yiilayac andrikiih ha~ y a1n
KUMBHA
BALAKUTA
•
PADMA
ODD RIDGE
-
KUTA
-
KUTA
•
•
0 0
ll
1 r
I I
I !
.......' • I .
I_,I
~
- TYPE 1 TYPE2
r-'
•
'J
BALAKUTA AT EAVE
- -
FIG. 06 ..09 BALAKUTA
245
•
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
Manufyalayacandrikiiblta~yam
Stanza -14 thrid balakuta is fixed in the middle of the ridge. Since these
•
Cl~l: I are supported by the ridges they are send to be bottom up
' (urdhvamD/a) ·
For buildings with gables, the ridge will be extended to COMMON RAFTERS
the end of the gables. The procedure for joints at the top Stanza -16
and bottom ends of the wall plates (uttarantuldgrayoga) of
the gables is the same as that for the houses (gehavat eva). •Hcf~teJC!fltiP~ Rf4tttr: Cf>f{ZqdJ?I m I
Commentary
m~ c:p)fe: ~ta ct>)ottfl~~
: 1
'
Everywhere in the desired rectangle, that line drawn
In gabled roof, the ridge will be extended up to the end of as horizontal (tiryak) is the base (bhuja). Then, the line from
the gable. The rafters are joined to the wall plates at the two top to bottom is the vertical (ko.ti) and that which goes
sides at the bottom and the ridge at the top as explained earlier through the corner is the diagonal (karrza ).
is stanza 12. The ridge piece may be extended beyond the
wall to protect the wall from rain and sun and the gable fixed at Commentary
•
the ends of the ridge piece. The gables are generally given
The length of the rafters is calculated by drawing a right-
decorations.
angled triangle on a flat plank (called pramanaphalaka) usually
Stanza -15 •
to a scale of 1:8 to represent one half of the roof frame. The
base of the triangle (bhuja) is half span and the altitude of the
triangle represents the rise of roof above the level of the wall
plate. The hypotenuse (karna) will therefore represent the
~·~~~~~~~·~~~. straight rafter. Texts generally describe a slope of 1:1 for the
•
roof, but other slopes like 8: 9, 7:8, 6:7, 5:6, 4:5, 3:4, 2:3 and
.~~~::r3T:~7 : II 1:2 are also used (fig.06.10 and 06.11).(Ref.06.01)
Kuta
•
should be fixed by hammering wooden nails at
8 kama
•
the top and bottom (2 ends) of the ridge which is connected 7 6 5
koti
•
in its grooves at the bottom. Because this (ku{a) is supported • 9 8 7 6
Bhuja
on the ridge, it is bottom upwards (urdhvat1tiila111 ). Balakuta
Ambara Viyat Jyotis Gagan a
also is supported on the top member as the ku~ta.
Commentary 4 3 2 1
•
5 4 3 2
This describes the additional kOta called balakuta fixed
• • Vihayas Ananata Antariksa Puskala
•
near the original Kutas. The balakD.ta is a small kuta which is •
fixed in houses with rectangular plans to the ridge mainly as FIG.06.1 0 NAMES OF ROOF SLOPES FOR TEMPLES
an ornament, one at each end (fig.06.09). In some cases, a
247
246
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam Manu~ya.layacandrikabhafyatn
Stanza -18
ft'5·{.,cll:IJ: cnt~ran~~Tt?~~-r::ri· ~ ·
~.I c141 ~I "ffif-
'
II
: Cbt'' ., II=<~ "if Thus deciding the spacing of the slanting rafters, mark their
positions on theuttara line. Then the diagenal measurement from
the selected drop of the rafters (1ziscitalupaJamba) to the side of
O~Cbl ~!~OIX~H1PfCJ>es . f41ittfl lfa': II the kuta directed through the marked location of each (rafter),
Then, subtracting 1 from twice the number of slanting forms the length of each rafter.
rafters like ko.ti and upako.ti, these numbers (the numbers Commentary
obtained as balance) are to be considered everywhere (as
In fig.06.12, the position of the inclined rafters in the wall
the number of spacings). Then 2 parts between each of the
plate are marked as 8 1 , 8 2 , 8 3 , 8 4 • From D, the position of kuta,
slanting rafters like kofi, upako_ti etc. separately and one draw lines passing through 81' 8 2 , 8 3 and 8 4 and terminating in
(part) at the centre of the width of house, thus the division the horizontal line 4-4 at E1 , E2 , E3 and E4 • DE 1 , DE 2 ••••• etc.
is accepted. · will give the lengths of the upako.fis.
Commentary
•
Stanza- 20
• • •
~~~~~~~~~ ~ql~l ~
The triangle ABO of figure 06.12 represents one half of
the roof frame. AB is half the span. It is universally accepted r:r;::!~~~rrrn~.']T:::r;::r.J,'I'Ttt'-::rtt~· ct If·4 d ii I
'
that the number of rafters should be even so that there will not
be any rafter at the centre line. (This is to avoid sUtravedha).
· 'iiht'HH~ills~~~~dJ~&i T.T md 1ff:
Therefore, the number of rafters along the half-span AB will
be half the total number on that end. The spacing between
In all houses, the width of straight rafters and inclined
. the rafters will hence be 2 times AB divided by twice the number
rafters can be equal to the width of the wall plate, or one
of rafters in half span minus 1. For example, if there are 5
part less or more when the width of wall plate is divided
rafters (including the kot1) in half spanJ the spacing will be
2AB/9. This S!oka says that the spacing will be twice the half
into 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 or 3 parts, or 2, 1314, 11/2 times of the width
pan divided by 2r-1 where r is the number of rafters (including of wall plate. Its thickness can be made from 1 angula to 6
kot1) in half pan·. In the centre, the distance of the rafter from a1zgula with increments of 1 yava.
u~,e' c ~ntr lint~ will be tlalf of this. This spacing is to have
Commentary
cJirn ~nsion < f 18 or 2,2A to ti fy the pada~ oni rule.
st~•t•z,• -1 The width and thickness to be adopted for the straight
rafters are given in this stanza. The width can be 2/3, 3/4,
4/5' 5/6' 6/7' 7/8' 1 ' 11 /8, 11 /7' 11 /6' 11 /5, 11 /4' 11 /3, 11 /2'
13/4 or 2 times the width of the wall plate. The thickness can
251
J i ()
Man u~yalayac andrikiib hasy arn
• Manu~yalayacandrikabh11.$yam
be made from 1 angula to 6 angula in increments of 1 yava.
of the square, DB will give the width of the hip rafter (kot1)
(Ref.06.05). Some texts use the word dalav[dhya instead
(Ref.05.06). Assuming that the base of the square is half-
of yavavrdhya. This means that the increment should be in
span, mark points indicative of the positions of the slanting
terms of angula and not yava. The minimum thickness is
rafters described earlier in stanza 18.
1112 angula according to this text. I
D ~-------.
the two sides of the ridge is decided first on the basis of the The line called flag line (dhvjasiitra ) has to be drawn
conditions mentioned earlier. Then draw a square with its on both sides of th~ rafter in the middle after dividing
sides equal to the width of the straight rafter. The diagonal the width into 9 parts and leaving 4 parts at top and 5
253
252 •
Manu§yalayacandrikabha~yam Manu~yalayacandrikabha~ya1n
parts below. Alternatively, it is to be made dividing into 7 and at end of eave drop.
parts and leaving 3 parts below and 4 parts above or dividing Commentary (Stanza 23 and 24)
into 5 and leaving 2 parts above and 3 parts below.
In the roof frame, the rafters are kept inclined. To mark
Commentary the holes for pins and notches for seatings on uttara etc.,
the horizontal and vertical lines (vitanarekha and lamba-
The cuts for seating the rafter on the wall plate and rekha) have to be marked on the rafters. For this, lines
holes for the collar pin etc. are made with reference to a parallel to the pitch line are drawn on both sides of the pitch
longitudinal line drawn on both sides of the rafter. This line line on both faces of the rafters. These are generally drawn
is called flag line ( dhvajasutram) or pitch line. Ttl is is drawn at a distance of 2 angula from the pitch line. Then squares
at five-ninth, four-seventh or three-fifth distance from the of 4 angula sides are drawn with these two lines as
top cut of the rafter such that it will always be below the boundaries at required places like positions of pins, joints
with kuta,, seating on uttara, eave end etc. The two diagonals
longitudinal centre line of the rafter (fig.06.16).
of the square will give the hofizontals and vertical lines.
Stanza- 23 (fig.06.14). The top end (ridge end) of the rafter is cut parallel
~T7T:'C:~;n:n-:t::r q; ~ il d =<:r?l 'i I to the vertical line. The top and bottom sides of the pin holes
' ·~ ' and top of seating on uttara and the seat bird's beak at the
._Fr::::rr.;:ron: . d t I ~ '<' II ~ Jf I ~ ~ lf Jt : =<=lfl d I I lower end are all parallel to the horizontals.
'
On both sides (top and bottom) of the pitch line, lines
This procedure of taking the diagonals of the square
have to be drawn at a distance of2angula (from the pitch as vertical and horizontal lines is true only when the rise is
line). The measure of width of each has to taken below half the span. For lesser slopes, this rule will not apply. In
and top of these. such cases, the procedure followed is as follows:
Stanza- 24 \
Draw the triangle ABO as in figure 06.12 to scale with
ip\CII AB representing bhuja, AD representing koti and DB
-:::r;t"GT'3fl(fltCboi~all~~ f4al;:i ~ cl•4 TJ f4cald 1 representing the length of rafter. Take a rectangular woo~en
' ..
plank of width equal to the upper part of the rafter (p?rt1on
:flci~G<t f4itlJ Gll'ffil ctclli~HCJ?Cictl'fll"'f
\T.Sn~ ~'1":7r.:::r;JT2Tt1nrt: ~............ ;ft ~ c;t I ~ I· (I ct1 sfq I I with the line DB (fig.06.15a). Slide it alan? .os till the bottom
c corner touches the line AB. In that position, m.ark on the
Drawing a square of side 4 atzgulas on both sides of
~
all rafters with reference to the pitch lines, the two Then mark on the pitch line of the actual rafter, the pomts
diagonals of the square are to be known as horizontal where the holes and notches have to be made. These are
(vitailant) and vertical (lantba1n) lines. These two have to
be drawn everywhere at the positions of collar pins, at
the rafter and bottom edge in line With the pltC me a
the joint with ~he kuta, at the seating over wall plate etc.
255
254
•
Manu.:~;yalayacandriklihhli~yaJn
Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha~y atn
•
move it along the pitch line till the edge E conincides with
one of the i?.fabindus I (fig.06.15c). In this position, transfer
•
the point F to the top edge of the rafter. The line joining 1F
S!a VfRTICAL LINE will be the vitanarekha. The lambarekha is drawn perpen-
.
dicular to this .
•
4ASQUAR •
•
sftr -:q 1
• ' I
HQLE FOR PINS ..., ,....,.
<;ll\ilrl err qq tCQ~ ~t11J'5·Cf>~ tf-
, ~ ' '
-:::rt'TT$t.Tl ~:q I !I til ~ I ~ oI : I I
..
NOTCH FOR UrTARA ... -__..;;
•
In small houses, culi (can be used) in some places. Even
• •
BIRO'S BEAK t , ~ ...._ ._....._ in such cases, the cross beams (vi$kambhas) are prescribed
to be in even numbers. The ridge (is to be placed) on top of
FIG. ·06.14 MARKING REFERENCE LINE OF RAFTER ,
•
the central post at its (that of cross beam) centre. From the
D length of the post, one part out of 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 parts can
be reduced in some place. Here the rafters with their ridge
WQ~qEN PLANK KAR!fA
are to be fixed over the culi.
•
BHUJA ..
For small houses, ie. houses with small span, the wall
0
PITCH LINE plates are placed as culis (bressumer) with the depth more
/
VERTICAL LINE than the width. In such cases, the minor uttara (k$udrouttara)
RAFTER~
HORIZONTAL LINE
/
is not necessary. The rafters are placed directly on the culis
(fig.06.18). Cross beams (vi~kambhas) are provided
•
between the culis in even numbers 2 ,4 etc .. At the centre of
the vi~kambhas, centre posts are provided to support the
•
0 .' , ridge. The height of the posts may be half span (45° slope).
•
The height can be less than this slope if desired .
rafters, collars and pins give rigidity and strength to the frame.
In buildings of small span, 8rUdhottara is not necessary. Minor
I
uttara for fixing the rafters is also avoided. In such cases, tie
beams at the level of the uttara and vertical posts supported
•
.
RIDGE on these tie beams give sufficient strength and rigidity to the
I
•
•
UTTARA WITH VAJANA
•
•
FIG .. 06.16 ROOF FRAME WITH CENTRAL POSTS ..
The width ·of the eave reaper (nivraphalaka) is to be
---
.. - ---- - made by 6, 7 8, 9 or 10 parts when the width of uttara is
----- --__ _,_- --
--~--- --ST0Pi (TUFT)-------------- - - .
divided by 10 or by reducing one part out of 4 parts of the
---
.
------- ..... . . . -..
width of uttara or by 3 parts when divided by 7. The
thickness is 1/3 of this. The thickness can be made by 2
• (parts) when the width is divided by 7 .
Stanza- 27
~ • PADA (LIMBS)
' '
ID~ ct~iqec! f3tf~NfCt 'f~IG'Cl:
-
•
,
-:q m;f qeei\4>-
'
~ err ~PI'+frl> Gitcrt~PPP'f1}\Ri~ld: CbC'4~~1: II
-- -- - . When the width of eave reaper is divided by 5, the top
v v - - -
ADHISTHANA
- -- -- belt is to be done with 2 (parts), then with 2 parts the groove,
• • and by one (part) the last belt. Similarly when divided by 6,
---r~======~~~~
(KNEE)
_...... - --- - --- --- its top belt is to be by 2 (parts), groove by three (parts) and
_ - UPAPfTHA (FEEn by one (part) the lower belt. Likewise when divided by 8,
•
Stanza- 28
Stanzas 26 and 27 give the details of the eave reaper
;fl~cJtt~ f4+tj), ~~\(~~.-:t<:~f4: x=tcidt 'JffJi
The eave reaper connecting the lower ends of all the rafter~
adds rigidity to the roof frame. In the roof frame, the collars ...............~1~1~ · q;)fect>olitcl~l?ll
prev~nt lateral t~isting of the rafters. The collar pins not only '
;tl(C(J . cjq l'{j fClll~~ fc)ftt;=wt .
provrde connectron between the rafters and the collars but also
prevent b~ckling and bending of the ratters. The eave reapers
prevent_drsplacement and torsion of the free and of the ratters. When the width of the eave reaper is divided into 5,7
The entrre root tram~ is made at the ground and erected part or 9 parts, 3 parts should be the transverse shift of the
~Y. part. Eave reaper rs the last element to be jointed. Therefore corner above the pitch line everywhere and then the eave
frxrng the eave reaper is considered to be an important tunctio~ reaper should be fixed on the rafter so as to accommodate
and, ~houl_d be accompanied by rituals like V8yavya hom a as the eave-board.
explatned 1n the next stanza.
Commentary
The width of the eave reaper is prescribed to be 3/7, 6/1 o,
Apart from the structural function explained in the previous
about 43 Yo to 100% of the width of wall plate. stanza, the eave reaper has another use. It helps to give an
upward tilt to the roof covering at the tip such that the water
. The thickness is 1/3 or 215 of its width, the larger ratio draining from the roof is thrown off preventing the water dripping
berng used when the width is small.
along the edge (see fig.06.03). This practice may have its origin
. The cross-section of a typical eave reaper is given in from the time when tiles were used for the roof covering because
fr.g.06:03. The proportions recommended for a b and c are it prevented the end tile from sliding. The eave board serv~s
gtven 1n table 06.01. ' as a protection to the rafter-ends and is to be fixed flush wtth
TABLE 06.01 eave-reaper vertically.
Type a b c As indicated earlier, it is prescribed that vayavya homa
1 should be done at the time of fixing the eave-reaper. This shows
2/Sw 2/Sw 4/Sw the important of the eave-reaper as a major element of the
2 2/6w 3/6w 1/6w •
roof frame. Moreover fixing of the eave reaper marks the end
3 3/Bw 4/Bw of the work of erection of the roof-frame.
1/Bw
The lower belt c is avoided in certain cases. Then a =3/5 The artisans who are engaged in the work should be given
W, b=2/5w, C=O. food, cloth etc. to please them. The text Vastuvidya prescribes
that the eave reaper should be washed with pure water, coconut
water, milk and pancagavya (the five items received from the
outsrde e~ge ~f the eave reaper should be in yoni prescribed cow, viz. milk, buttermilk, ghee, urine and dung). (Ref.06.07).
for the orrentatron of the building.
26() , 26 1
Manu •syala.yacandrik-ablza~y
- ll .11L
COLLAR P·IN There the width of reaper is d ·b
thickness by 9 yava Th 17
II_Ia e Y yava and i'-.J
tanza- 29 •
. . · ·e gap as three.f I . •
The collar pin has been seen by the sages in 6 ways, • . · cause tn ear"er
from 14 yava square to 3 a1zgula in increments of 2 yava.
Among these, it should be made to suit the rafter prescribed
the reapers IS to be 35cm equaivalent to 131 .25 yava .
here.
Stanza- 31
Commentary
cit t(! '( I'iU l'lh) :i1 G~ cl Pf {fftl:;) q fee COl~ '«1 X: '(~ 1(1
The collar pins (liernes) fix the collars to the rafters. ' '
ad~ I~ ~~~fit cotmsfq 1:f tt'iq;ctcot~-w~ ~<tict))C't : 1
They are of square section inorder to prevent buckling of
the rafters. Their size will depend on the width of the rafter. cilECJtll'(lll f"&>f;:qq_ d&ilift'l J 'a•'CtlXUII~
The side of the square pin varies from 14 yava (5.25cm) to at!lXJ'iUIEhi (_! d{'NiFH \I
3 angula (9.00cm) in increments of 2 yava (0.75cm). The
recommended widths are, therefore, 5.25cm, 6cm, 6.75cm, In all buildings that are covered by tiles, there should
7.5cm, 8.25cm and 9cm. be rows of reapers. In some situations, thick planks fixed
by nails also are to be fixed and a groove for the lip of the
The holes for the pins are made on the rafter below tiles also (is to be made) to fit the nib (of the tile). If
what is known as the pitch line (dhvajarekha). The pitch line temples etc. are covered by copper plates, this groove need
is drawn longitudinally on the flat side of the rafter a little •
not be made .
below the centre line. Usually 5/9 part of the width is kept •
262 263
Man u~yalayacandrikab ha~yam
to accommodate the nib. In important structures like the
5u<:Jt, M brus~ ~, GOliM f~, YeA.ftY ~t~. oft~ roof He,;ta, tt &; m,or~
garbhagrha of temples, copper sheet is used as roof covering tJ.f1WOf YUU(!.; to · ~~ er 6 wiUdv MAuib~ & otker ~t; of tM
to give full protection from pouring rains. In such cases, of roof. swertU- ed.dorsjoUourthM malwd. HtH.A:h, it u foUowed ~ thu book a.Uo]
course, the grooves are not required as the copper sheets are
directly fixed over the planks. REFERENCES
Covering the entire roof surface by planks is like providing
a ceiling below the roof covering. This gives security also. But 06.01 ~ CIJ-=ti ~UjttiOii ":q' (j4'il4 li~ISh'i'!_ I
when tiles slip or break and causes leak, it is very difficult to ~~~ i1Cl1li f4ll\l1 \Tltl~~ 1111;:j "!ij f4~ttl~ II
VI ' '
detect the faulty tiles and effect replacement.
3t-=t·d i:U·d~IS -:q \f<bt'i =rutem = 1
Stanza- 32
~ctl~i ~~~~&; . :"
:s:t~~l'hCf~I"'Pjch . '{=ltlq I '
¥OJ ~ \:11 ~ I Cb I~~ eft ,.. :i+-1-w+ :q) t eft C1 '{j·£N I I
~........~......,., ........................ d~~'ll'!'fl~~·li~~IC: tFf T.T II '
' ' ~~..... ttt-;:ht ;'hl'nf;::Dlri qy-::;nt "
The turban of the man called the house is mentioned
M.S.,XVIII - 86,87,88
as apidha1ta. It should be face down. Its width is half or
three-fourth of the height of basement and thickness is the 06.02 Gfif%q:}J 'i.f f4ttk1Cl1l ~~~~~t:m I
thickness of paduka (adyamla).
Commentary ' .
~ .......~r"r [4'(,11~ q~:qj~j g~l'"fi~Cfl! I
In Vastuvidya, the house is considered as a human being
(puru§a) (fig.06.17). The roof is considered as the head and • •
the ridge as the top of the head. The ridge is covered by a .........-~rivr-;r 4 •t1 Ct G I
plank called apidhanaspecially when the roof covering is done ~~,rfa;:n~ ~t(gx1ettt n
~Cctl~i~i ~ ~
with copper plates. Being the last wooden member of the roof,
~~· 'flllti" ~ $hC1'!_ I
it is also called the last plank (avasana phalaka). This plank is
compared to the turban. The width of apidhana is three-fourth
or half the height of the basement. Its thickness is equal to the
thickness of the paduka, the bottom course of basement.
__..~~:t+.:l~';:f ~~ ~ x=t ~I ~d 1: II
.....
In ordinary constructions and in constructions where ridge '
'
tiles are provided at the top, this apidhana is not generally
provided. ' ~~·mrtv:c;rrd II
----------------~--~--~---------
265
264
Manu~'\yaJayacandrikabha~yanz
M.M., XVIII, 23 - 29
• • •
06.05 ~ii~Cfilljcl ...... +l-1~~
'<i.....
•
• .J t jUJ zrrt
V.V.,X.03
•
06.06 : I
r.;ror.:rrll"t"tlrn::;;:;rrrt-;:r II
d~"ll Cb'!tiiJ~~i at~ CJ>)cill~'ii stcfilfittd 1
' '
V.V.,1 0-04
. --------------------------------------
266
•
Manu~yalayacandrikablfa~yam
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Fig. Page·
CHAPTER-7
07.01 LOCATION OF DOORS 270 , 3T~ SV~Ill:
•
1 -14 114
do 1 -22 138
X Zw H- CENTRE OF SALA (HARMYA NABHI)
Small 1 -18 126 1 -2 78
G \ I G- SHIFT OF SALA (GAMANA) -
78
--+---+--- H 6~ X-SHIFTOFDOOR CENTRE (DWARA- do 1 -10 102 1 -2
t--r- ~ MADHYA)
•
•
/ \
•
For example, let the perimeter of the door be 8H8A in
dhvajayoni. Subtracting yo~i number 1 and taking length to
width ratio as 3, the i$fadirgha is 3H. The corresponding
MANGALAPHALAKA .......,___....,
width is 1H 4A. By guoamsa rule, let the semi perimeter be
TENON & SOCKET JOINT_
' _ 4H4A. Dividing by 14 and taking 4 parts as width , the width
-
adjusted to angula is 1H4A and the length is 3H OA.
•
HEAD
According to Ts'anasivagurudevapaddhati, (Ref. 07.03) the
thickness of the sill and head are arrived as follows:
· STANA the thickness of sill. Three parts wiH give the depth from the
\
•
uttara to the bottom of the head. From this value (i.e .. 3
•
...-LOCK
parts), the head of prescribed thickness (i.e. equal to that
•
of post) is kept and the balance is used to provide the
managalaphalaka (described later in the next stanza) .
•
0
,..... 1------1 DOOR POST MANAGALAPHALAKA
Stanza- 3
II
DOOR LEAF •
'
•
li~ECJ:tlqJfll ~ ..........~~r.::~kl· Qlcl&>i fclc;:gnq II
•
Then above the head of the door, the plank (called
•
mangalaphalaka) should be placed with the sculptured
SILL · d d · d
images of Ga~zeia, Lakpm or KnrJa rna e as es1re a nd
with the images of different birds .
.
HINGE
Commentary
This describes the mangalaphalaka fixed above the
FIG. 07.02 DETAILS OF DOORS head and between the door posts. It was stated in the last
•
273
272
Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha~y a1n
Manu .yyalayacandrikahha~yam
uttara for strength. Then the gap above the door head is
covered by this plank. This should be decorated with carved DOORS OF WALLS ABOVE CELLARS
or relief figures of Gods and birds. This served the purpose tanza- 5
of not only covering the gap above the head of the door, but
3i·<l~l~\11'if:~~ £1~(1~ ~;;t qq~~
also providing a storage space behind it. • . . .......
~
'
~~!41\5'11 ~<11~1~'-Sil l:l'1~ I
DOORS IN THICK WALLS '
-
Stanza- 4
f4=<,11~f\)l ~qfiCf>~~tfGidS•<IJ~~~- •
If the walls are made very thick in buildings generated
with inside perimeter, in some places, the wall is to be done
QI sfl &:i ~ II ~' fcrt:tllt I· <I x f4 ~ d ~ x I cl J ~'"I t ~~~ Tl
~
I
with its edge up to the paduka of the building's courtyard .
•
f!>\CII -a-c;:x-_y1 The doors and wall plates are prescribed to be taken outside
flr\t~6·lll4l~ ~Gdx~l~ltl : II to the edge of the selected wall obeying the centre line rule
' of respective Siilas and yards.
Wall of great width is to be divided into 12 and
keeping 7 and 5 parts inside and outside (respectively), Commentary
•
the door posts should be placed with their centres at this There was a practice of raising some digg[has and/or
line (viz. dividing line). Sometimes, above these, a strong vidiggrhas by constructing an additional adhi?th8na by placing
top plank (urdhvapatti) and above that the limbs of the a second p8duka over the first adhi~.th8na. The wall is
••
constructed over the second adhi?.thana. 'n such cases, the
wall should be done, with strong stone or combinations
limbs of adhisthana like jagati, gala, prati are generally shown
of mud and mortar.
only outside 'the ankaf)a wall. Such raised sa/as are. called
Commentary •
antarnahamandiras because their dimensions are dectded by
•
considering the inside perimeter. Such ~8/as are generally ~~ed
In walls with thickness more than the thickness of door as strong rooms for keeping costly articles. For such s~/as
posts, the door posts should be placed such that their centre also , the doors are placed
/_
midway between the centre lmes
line is at 5/12 times the thickness of the wall measured from of the yard and the sa/a.
•
outside i.e. the door will be towards the outside edge of the
RULES FOR DOORS
wall. Above the top beam, instead of the mangalaphalaka, Stanza- 6
masonry wall or stone wall can be constructed. In such
cases, a strong plank (urdhvapatta - manpalaka in
: ~=t I'! it~-:q ~Eilf~~ -:q II
•• •
Malayalam) is kept above the top beam for supporting the .
' '
wall. The urdhvapafta serves the function of lintel. The tw'o shutters (kavii_tayugma) should be made with
•
•
width equal to half the width of the opening plus their own
275
274
. Manufytilayacandrikabhasyam
1'vlanu ~yalaya c andrikahhlisyain
thickness. The thickness can be made 2112 or 31/2 •
ntairangulas or 4 ntatrangulas.
Stanza- 7
"' Ect ttt \! !f 11 o1Cb ll i <'1 x=t f•~ q 1cl- l
• HINGE
- ~ VERTIC AL DROPPING LATCH
b r
>r&l q oft l1 Cl cl til •ll fq q ?I Cf> I ~I I t
"u ~t
:I
• • 0 •
• .J. JL.
- . •
.l
There should be hinges (bhra1na!laka) at top and 0 •
bottom, latches (argala ), reaper covering the joint ~ p: - ARAMA
,__ v
ARGALA
(sa1zdhipala; sutrapa{{ika in Malayalam), rings (handles) for • • • • • 0 -
r.t METALSTRAP
angulas. The width of each shutter is half the width of the ARAMA & ARGALA
BACK VIEW
opening plus the thickness of the shutter. This is for providing
rebates at the joints. The joint is concealed by a runner
called sandhipala placed outside. (fig.07.02). The shutters JAMB
are connected to the sill and head by pinion and socket joints.
The shutters are secured from inside by latches (fig.07.03),
WALL
the details of which are given in stanza 18. For holding the
shutters for closing, plain or ornamental metal rings are DOOR POST
HOLE FOR TENON OF HINGE
277
276
Man U$yalayac andrikab ha~y am Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha ~·y a1n
RUNNER COVERING THE JOINT OF SHUTTERS timber planks with vajana decorations.
Stanza- 8 LATCHES
•
Ei l{.,clll ~i If~ (11 oj) llfCJ ~tl'! .. - •
Stanza- 9
OCII'(il dll~=tlti41Gl~dtSif5cl~tll A.Tf I '"flctl Cll 'i lf(t I CbCII elf> <it Cb I m "<j\?1 4~ett l~tt I
CbdClll "CI cl '1 ~I'! JOt~~ I~ c6l\i1~"\l~ I <&ill ~ ~ OfliJ ~ ;ftfft ~:tldl'"f I
'
II 6 I xl c;iJI ~ &t 4G~ I oI'! ~i"' ll tl a€1 i -
The runner covering the joint (sutrapat!i or sandhipaJa) I
r
on•4~~~~~~Sittl~~if%ttl +rr Cf><:rqitttl~'"fl'"f II
' '
should be made with width and thickness equal to one part The left leaf is mother, it should be with sutrapa!~i.
of 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 parts of door opening or thickness of half or That which goes to the right is daughter. For all doors it
three-quarters of its width, with length equal to the door is to be expressed thus. The arama (the vertical piece of
(length), with breast-like projections in odd numbers of 3, 5 the latching device) should be made with length of one
or 7, with carvings of. bands of pearl, Lak~nzi residing in part out of 3, 4, 5 or 6 parts of the height of door and
/
lotus, Kr~!la and Ga!'esa. width and thickness equal to one part of 4, 5, 6 or 7 parts
of this length.
Commentary
Stanza- 10
This stanza gives the dimensions and details of
&t~«uttqlllfati1t at ~XHil{'tt~ ~tCf>t d tlld
decorations on the sutrapatti.
••
This, being in the centre of
the door, attracts the attention of any person approaching I
•
.. . and Ganesa
Krsna . are also made on the runner (patt1).
... such that the gap between the blocks will be in the notches
at the top and bottom of ara111as.
Instead of or in addition to the ball and socket joint
Stanza- 11
(bhramaoaka) at top and bottom, lateral metal straps on
the door are sometimes extended beyond the shutters to •
s~ '<=tl(1il II
311~11
For entry to and exist from the ankaiJa, the important
~Jt~ : I door (passage door) should be placed above the paduka. If
'<=t«11U liCI~'<=lt .............................~-.....~""': '(hjd there is wall for the corner house in the passage outside the
door, the height of (upper) adhi~!hana above the paduka
it~CJtgfa Cf>CIIe4>cl1Cbl l44~'%nit II
should be ignored and its (that of the opening) width should
When length of the house is divided by 10 or 12 lines, I be such that four times the width of the passage gives the
the outer door is to be placed generally behind, on the right perimeter with desired yoni.
side in the 6th or 7th line according to one's desire with
Commentary
suitable yoni etc. If only one door leaf is desired, it will be
on the left side when going out. The doors, so far described are for direct access to
and from the sa/as. The major access is through the
Commentary corridors (fig.07.04). The inner major doors for this are to
In the previous stanzas, the procedure for placing the be placed above the upper paduka, if there is a raised
doors from the sa/as to the ankana were elaborated. This adhisthana as mentioned previously in stanza - 5 for
-
stanza gives the procedure for locating the door for going
• •
antarnahamandira. For easy access, the corridor (antarala)
should be at the same level. If there is raised platform only
out from the sa/as.
for the main houses, naturally the corridor will be at the lower
The length of the houses is divided into 9 or 11 parts by level. If there is wall for the corner house and the corner
10 or 12 lines respectively (see fig.07 .01). The door is placed house is also raised, the an tara/a will be kept at the level of
such that is centre is at the 6th line from the left if the division the upper paduka. For this the width of the antarala is
is by 10 lines and at 7th line if the division is by 12. This computed in such a way that when multiplied by 4 it gives
• • •
ensures that the door is in the left half of the centre line of ausp1c1ous yon1.
the sa/a when viewed from inside. Some commentators take These passage doors are placed in the corridors of
'savya• to mean right and prescribe the door to be placed in respective sa/as (Ref:07.04). The eastern door will be in
the right half. the corridor north of eastern sa/a, the southern door will be
DOORS IN THE CORRIDORS in the eastern corridor of southern sa/a and so on as shown
in fig. 07.04.
Stanza 15
The method of deciding the width by assuring that when
!'II~ I m u 1tip 1i e d by 4, it gives au s pic i o us yon i, is c a! 1e.d
' •
ll d ~(llrr.;::~tfv>Cl"l 'l:J";T.hJ't:;:o;-:rT"D I padayonividhi. For example, the width for dhwa}ayom will
'
283
2R2
Man u~yalayacandrikab ha~yatn
PASSAGE CONNECTING OUTER For temples (prasadavastu), length also should conform
YARD WITH INNER YARD to padayoni. For square temples, length is equal to width , ·
N hence here also the height (which is equal to width) is
8- CENTRE OF YARD
-
(ANKANANABHI) included in the computations.
•
0-DOOR
GATE HOUSE
A-ALINDAM
Stanza- 16
w G0~1(1 !'11~·11 OI~VtffiS~ ~lxtfc=(il{Jif4=<i\S&QI1 ___........ -
IN A BUILDING WITH CENTRAL ' ' ' ' '
COURTYARD, THE MAIN DOOR IS
PLACED AT THE ENTRY TO THE (
\~IG~liiG~ cftatGf:tJq;q4 &R !'fi11~l~(1't
PASSAGE CONNECTING OUTER
TO INNER YARD.
I1
s
FIG.07.04 The gateway for travel should be placed in the pada
ENTRY DOORS FROM OUTER TO INNER YARDS (cell) of Pu~padanta and those of Bhallata, lndra and
I
Grhak~ata, shifted from the centre of the yard by 4, 5, 6, 7
be 18 angula, 1 H 1 OA, 2H2A and so on, and that for etc. danda.
••
The major gateways and also the eight subsidiary
simhayoni will be 22A, 1 H 14A, 2H6A and so on. gateways can be on high ground with two stories, gables
etc.
The padayonividhi is based on the three-dimensional
•
• concept of the vastu. The perimeter for computation of yoni Stanza- 17
of a vastu is based on the plan composition, i.e. the perimeter ~ :q &l~q~fltt~ I
considered is that of the plan of the vastu. This perimeter is ~~~n:;::h"~fq~r.rll'~~";rm II
converted to the unit of pada and divided by 8 for computing
/ - I
the yoni. The application of guoamsavidhi standardises the In the pada of Parjanya and in that of Bhrsa, Pusa,
measurements of the plan composition. More subtle Bhrga, Dw1trap1tla, So~a, NaiJa, Aditi- thus the eight
standardisation is achieved by using the padayonividhi also subsidiary gateways for residences are desired.
for the plan composition. According to this procedure, the
value obtained by multiplying the width and/or length by 4 Commentary (Stanza 16 and 17)
should be in the prescribed yoni. In g[havastu, padayonividhi
These two stanzas give the positions of the major and
is generally applied only to the width. Since the height upto
subsidiary gate-houses. All these should be in the.outer.rl)_?St
wall plate (padamana) is generally equal to the width, the
envelope (pi$8cavithl) occupied by the 32 gods from /sana
value of 4 times width is in effect twice the sum of width and
to Diti. The major gateways should be in the ce.lls of
height i.e. perimeter of the vertical face.(refer to fig.03.09)
Thus padayonividhi takes into consideration the vertical
east and Grhaksata in the south (fig.O?.OS). Accordmg to
composition also. . '
285
284
Manu ~ya,Layac andrikab na~y am
Manu~yalayacandrikabhii~yaJn
Brhatsamhita,
'
(Ref 07.05)
- they can also be located in the
padas of Jayanta, Sugriva, Varuf)a and Soma. The effects
of the location of gateways (according to Brhatsamhita) are 11 12
indicated in fig.07.06. The general rule is that for a person
5 MAIN GATE POSITIONS
entering the plot, the gateway should be in the right side. 1./NDRA
10 2. GFJHAK~ATA
3. PU~PADANTA
The gateways have to be at a distance of 4, 5, 6, 7 or 4. BHALLATA
•
-
more danda from the Brhamanabhi according to the width • 5. PARJ~NYA
• •
6. BHRSA
of the plot and the number of grid divisions. (Here danda SECONDA~Y GATE POSITIONS
means the width of a grid division). s -
7. PUSA
8. BH8NGA
6 9. D~ARAPALA
On both sides of the main gateways, Manu$y8.1aya- b::;f---*~+-+--f-t-~---f9 10. SC'J~A
9 11. NAGA
•
candrika allows subsidiary gateways also. Their positions 12. ADITI
8 7
are shown ir:1 fig. 07.05. These are for the use of cattre and FIG. 07.05
. LOCATION OF GATEWAYS
the servants. In modern usage, these can be used for the I'\)
,:c
CD
•
<.0
~
m
(,)
0
•
m
_.
(,)
•
(,)
,0
N
•
~m z >> > z
X
position that the main and secondary gates are identified. en> m ~- >
~
~~~
0
~~
~..
s: :x:Z
-m QOQ
,m
en :X:
QO
3:
~~~ ~~ ....
<
m
:c
~
I II
(/) mo
:c
The gateways are to be built in high ground. This is m
z
-4
(J)
0
z
-~ - (/)
0
z
za z
•
probably to ensure that any stranger can be easily spotted
~ ~
[,
26 t~ 29 30 31 32 1.. FIRE HAZARD
from the gateway or the gateway can be easily located by a p
24. DISEASE 2 2. FEMALE CHILD
24
visitor approaching the house. Two-storeyed construction •
~ 0
23. DECLINE OF
with gables recommended for main gateway reinforces this WEALTH .
23 3. WEALTH
-
-
assumption. Here the ground floors can be used by gate- 22. FEAR FROM
22 N '-;t~
~ . . -- ,_.
ROYAL 1-'l,..,.,, I lUI'
ROYALTY
keepers and casual visitors or travellers and the rooms at 21. GAIN OF rL w '""" 5
WEALTH
lo... 5. ANGER
the top floor can be earmarked as guest rooms or room for .
-'-
19. GAIN OF
WEALTH [!!1 7 7. CRUELTY
VEDIKA 18. ENEMIES 18 /_ 8 8. ROBBERY
w I\)
~
0
CD
•
-z ,-m ,:D
(7) • •
• • • • •
(J)
m r-
r- r- r- ~
0
SliJI?I oO 0 C)
~ ~
I :X:(/)
-(J) :E(J)
(/)
:D :D
0
0
,men z-r- m
:c
0
-r-
X
mo ~
'o
~, >-n
~
- m
~
-~
lJ
m
(/)
< 0
:D
m ~ c 0 (/) m
FIG. 07.06
z :X: m 0 z
c
EFFECTS OF GATEWAYs
•
2R6 287
Manu~yalayacandrikiibha:~Yauz
-
TORAft!A.DVARA, The outside offset of the vedika will be by increments
SfMPLE GATEWAY SINGLE-STOREYED GATE HOUSE'
of angula, in conformity with the patramiina. The outside
•
projections from the vertical line of uttara are prescribed
by 2112, 3 etc. angulas.
Stanza -20
•
x~~clt~ct Cttl~~ -
OTTARA
t
•
EAVE -+n~ ~~\J1J~d~ ':c{ f4'{~dJ ttci~~ I
•
j
VERTICAL ~ALISADF;~.J!
.
••tI 31• ,, '1i~'1~r-;r
-:::r.::Jit2' ltt';:1Tt;:d ll~ ~ ~1 t1> 41 (ill
INCLINED PAliSADE ..--· ~.'--r-
. ••.
~
II
II
••I '
t
:t Here some persons say that vedi must be wi~ the s.ame
materials. It is observed that it has been made With bncks,
•
• mud stone and different types of timber for all houses. If
DOUBLE-STOREYED GATE HOUSE
• ,
the basement is lowered, the door should be placed. above
· f the entrance
•
constructions to be made above a
28Y
2R8
Manu§yiilayacandrikabha~yam
Manu ~yalayac andrikab Jia~y am
The platforms are to be constructed on both sides of the
•
Commentary
entrance gate-house leaving the opening for the access. It The genera\ rule for the the posts, beams and the rafters
can be door of the constructed in brick, mud, stone or is that they shou\d be in even number and their gap will
suitable timber. Some pratctitioners insist that the material natural\y be in odd number. The spacing of rafters and posts
used for the platform should be the same as that used for shou\d not be more than one hasta for safety and security.
the door frame i.e. if the door frame is of stone, the platform
is to be of stone. Its height is prescribed to be equal to the FUNCTIONS OF THE SALAS
bottom width of the pillar (viz. 1/6 to 1/11 of the height of Stanza- 22
•
pillar, vide stanza 24 of chapter 5), or equal to the height of
5~t=rft4s
the prati (viz. 1/5, 1/6 or 1/7 of the height of adhi~.fhana,
vide stanzas 17, 18 and 19 of chapter. 5) or equal to 1 1/2, Clhllt=tl crt G?Otfll4 sRt~stl H~
0 I
2 or 3 times the height of the prati. The doors are placed t:(J ~:=en t~ ai ~ f4 q ~ fl1 err
above the paduka so that the access way will be at the -:::n'1rT":J:;::r.J.... .........~~ ..........-r-rr:rr· ' l
padukalevel. '
BRAHMA
family life. These two can be alternated. The western house
is called dhanalaya (the house of wealth). Hence it is used
. - -
for keeping wealth. The southern house 1s dhanyalaya (the
,.
ISANA
soMA
house of grains). This is used for reception of guests. The
MAHENDRA
space left in these two after meeting their normal uses, is
used as bed rooms and also study.
2()2 I
M anu~ya.layac andrikab has.y am Manu sy iilay ac andrikab ha~y arn
BUILDINGS IN SMALL PLOTS --------
TABLE 07.02 BUILDABLE AREA IN MANDALA
Stanza- 23
Total Celts in Buildable Buildable Area
tpc:QJ ~'t""fCHPJCpfqGf11~ &)?f()}S•c:llf(). Mandala No. of Brahma- Area as percentage
Cells sthana of total area
I
q Gf •~ r:~ q ~ d ~ I i=h\1l''IJ";::r::::::l'?'l~~:r;t I
~ftqq~s~41?1 Ji~qJliJ~ SQ]~I~II- •
1. SUKHALAYA, 2. ANNALAYA. 3. DHANYALAYA, 4. DHAN.ALAYA .
~i '"I~"\ i fll Jt d I I .
•
if (it is) the buffalo shed, (it should be) in the cells of Yama. 1. FARM HOUSE
2. POUNDING
The shed for bullock can be in this (south) or in all
/ 3. GRAIN STORE
(prescribed for cows). All the salas in Vastu1narmas 4. COW SHED
•
ManusyaJayacandrikabhas.;atn
vyaghra, vifti, gardabha and immovable (sthira) kara~zas • - - - - - - - -
The dining hall (is desirable) there itself or in makara or
(are not auspicious) in the cell of varu~a. The rest-house is to be constructed
Commentary
in kuntbha or similarly in ntakara or in vayupada and if
necessary in v,r~a and me~a (rlisis) and the pounding house
The location for the cowsheds are in the east, west and in vay up ada.
south (fig.07.11) in the pisacavlthi. For buffalos, the shed
should be in south only. For bullocks cells for cowsheds Commentary
can be used. There are different prescription for the location of the
Generally, eastern location is preferred for cowsheds kitchen in different texts. The location is, in gener~l, related
as the preferred slope of ground is towards east. Arthasastra to the position of fire in the vastupuru$ama_ryqata (flg.0~.12).
prescribes the east side as most suited for cowsheds. Brhatsamhita (Ref:07.07) prescribes t~e kl:~~en ~o ~e In the
c~ll of Agni in the south-east corner In pJsacavJthJ. It may_
The yoni of the perimeter for all cattle shed should also be taken to indicate the direction of south-east ~s Agm
preferably be V[$abha (yoni number 5), simhayoni is to be
avoided.
Parja1zya, Sikhi or Viyu or in (the ralis of) nte~a or vr:~a. ( uttamanga) of the Vastup •
2Y9
29R
... - -
Man u~yalayac andrikab ha;y am
Manu $yaJayac andrikab Jlasyam
generally in the north side in Kerata. tn other parts of India,
is generally considered to be a very auspicious functions.
eastern location is preferred.
Therefore, it is natural that the kitchen is located in the north-
east or in the south-east (Agnt) or north-west ( V§yu) or The rest houses outside the main building can be in
anywhere in the east (mesa •
and vrsabha).
• •
the north or east or north-west. The shed for pounding of
grains is prescribed to be in the north-west.
In all regions of India other than the west coast of
Gomantaka and Kerala, kitchen is located in the south-east It is to be noted, that the locations prescribed in this
Agnipada. In the west-coast, the general direction of wind stanza are all in the pi$acavTthi, outside the main building.
during most of the year is from the south-west and hence
the location of kitchen is generally in the north-east (in the LOCATION OF WELL
-/
padas of /sana or Parjanya) so that the smoke from the Stanza- 28
kitchen will be
I
swept away
./
from the house. !Sanapada is
also called sikhipada. Sikhi means burning fire. Hence the ~~~ ....,...;p. - S~SIG'i I
location of kitchen in the north east is justified. "
_.... ......
....... .........--rnT1T'J";:r::::;T.l~~ ~· d~ Ct •s: fGi-
........
For burning of fire, vayu (air) is required. Therefore, • .....-w-
the location of kitchen in the north-west in vayupada also
can be justified. The well is said to be most auspicious in north-east
It is, therefore, to be deducted that the kitchen can be mtnarasz · d abha also
located in the south-east, east, north-east or north-west.
3()()
Man u~yalayac andriklih /ia~y am Manus• yii Lay acan dr ik ii hha"• yant
•
Similarlly gardens and sacred groves are not desirable near FIG. 07.12 LOCATION OF KITCHEN
the houses.
Commentary (Stanza 28, 29 and 30)
towards north and east and the preferred location for the kitchen •
dealt with according to their characteristic of being r-u:::::r.:::n !II in'~ 4Oq IGll :
movable and fixed and according to their rites.
, ~l!fi...,:q
~~ SPfflq_ II
Commentary Compound wall at the boundary limit with mud or
stone is said to be superior. Its encircling trench is
Shrines or £Tik.ovils or vim8.nas are of 2 types; niranga medium. Then fencing with twigs etc. is interior. Its (that
and sanga, The deities in nirangaprasadas are movable (not of fence) posts etc. (posts and intermediate covering)
fixed) and those in sanga shrines are fixed. Small shrines should be with branches of thorny trees, creapers and
for movable --.L@/-s like salagrama etc. are classified as bamboo etc. Hence the choice is to be made according to
niranga. Such niranga shrines can be built inside the houses availability of funds. The prescribed trees also are to be
complexes as stated earlier. Sanga shrines wi.ll have the planted.
prakaras (see fig.03.07) and hence require more space.
They have to be built in spacious locations. The rites Commentary
performed in there two types are necessarily different. The importance ascribed to defining the mandala is
Stanza- 34 stressed here. In large plots, the mar;gala taken for the
an lysis is demarkated by low walls. Where existing buildings
~=n ~ell I~ . . . . . . ........ s ..t";;t •
•
The pleasure - house for enjoyment of kings should •- ,..+ rAsort. If fencing is adopted,
-
be (in thepada of) Mitra, play-house in (thepada of) Vayu, - - ho~ of thorny
Commentary
movable and fixed and according to their rites. ' CII!rt"-Tl ~&j
Sb 'i Iq I I
Commentary Compound wall at the boundary limit with mud or
/- stone is said to be superior. Its encircling trench is
Shrines or srikovils or vimanas are of 2 types; niranga medium. Then fencing with twigs etc. is interior. Its (that
and sanga, The deities in nirangaprasadas are movable (not of fence) posts etc. (posts and intermediate covering)
fixed) and those in sanga shrines are fixed. Small shrines should be with branches of thorny trees, creapers and
for movable ,.tfb,Js like salagrama etc. are classified as bamboo etc. Hence the choice is to be made according to
niranga. Such niranga shrines can be built inside the houses availability of funds. The prescribed trees also are to be
complexes as stated earlier. Sanga shrines will have the •
planted.
prakaras (see fig.03.07) and hence require n1ore space.
Commentary
They have to be built in spacious locations. The rites
performed in there two types are necessarily different. The importance ascribed to defining the mandala is
Stanza- 34 stressed here. In large plots, the mar;dala
•
taken for the
an lysis is demarkated by low walls. Where existing buildings
~tl~lif ""I-9"PP~ ........
• lftttllTi!'. f4~1tlS •
are found to be in inauspicious locations, vastumaf}cjala can
«tllll'ils~~cl&> ~?tid) ~·11~1~ quf.ll&> 1
•
be redefined by this method to make it auspicious .
307
•
Manu~ya.layacandrikabha~yam
Manufyalayacandrikabha~yam
JI\CII offtl:t II acarya and offering him cow, land etc. and the main
' dak~ina according to the prescriptions and taking his
•
After, constructing the house thus, the acarya who permission, the owner should please all persons with
was chosen in the beginning should make the artisans several gifts and live happily in the house, fully satisfied
engaged in the construction satisfied according to their for a long time along with his family.
desires by (offering) bangles, ear-rings studded with Commentary
•
to select a suitable site and also a good sthapati. Then, owner to please all the gods, acaryas and workers before
after the construction is completed, the acarya should satisfy he enters the house. The blessings showered by the gods
himself that the construction has been done according to and men who are thus pleased are expected to provide
the prescriptions. He should then make the artisans prosperity to the occupants. Unless the owner pleases the
engaged in the construction happy and satisfied by giving acarya and workers, it is believed that he will be in debt
them gifts. Only after this, the icarya should enter the house ([Qa) and this will make his life miserable. Builqing a house
along with the owner and perform vasttipuja and all other is a noble act. The puf)ya in doing the noble act rests with
rites Ilike GaneSahoma etc. those who were engaged in the construction. By the offering
•
I
gifts, the puoya gets transferred from the Sppins to the
According to the text Vastuvidya, the presentation of owner. The entry to the house (grhapravesa) becomes
gifts to the artisans is after the Vastubali (Ref.07.12). important owing to this symbolic act of taking possession of
. Stanza- 37 the grha from the Silpin to lead therein a prosperous and
happily life.
REFERENCES
~TI Chill fclfa~c;~~ffi c;~oti ~~,qf'! I
7 01 ~~21 !(~ ~Ei"'9""!"1~,.,..'l~~=rr~ ~!(:tl....l_.,. cl ;:n'\lr.;:nrt-;;;~r.r::;r-nt:: I
311 :ill 'tiC: Ill d~lll~flg~~~~~ \714 sfl Dlll'i : 0 . ' ' '
' V. V.,XIII-15
~:efta:~·~ II
'
309
308
•
M.M., XVIII-1 ,2
II
07.07 Cf>I4Jtl3~l£114i I •
,
''
B.S., LVIII-125
'
B.S., LVIII-118
07.08
•
311
310
I
•
•
•
; TrU4 Art tD Birtk ~ta¥~j
D Treu
rrar
APPENDIX- 1
REFEREN CF=S
-
1979. J
Trivandrum 1982.
04.Bruno Dagens, Architecture in the Ajit8gamaand Rauravagama, ·
Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Scientific Research, New Delhi, 1984.
05.Bruno Dagens (Tr.) Mayamata, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of
Scientific Research New Delhi, 19.85.
06.Chandrasekhara Pilla V. and Ball akrishnanachari S ~.(Ed.)
vastuvidya
(Mal.), Kerala University Oriental Research Institute
and Manuscript Library, Trivandrum 1978.
07 .Chandrasekhara Pilla V. and Balakrishnanachari S. (Ed.)
Vidwakarrn7yam (Mal.) Kerala University Oriental Research
Institute and Manuscript Library, Trivandrum, 1979.
• ·~
r / - - •
/sanasivagurudeva Misra, (Samskrt) Trivandrum Samskrt Ser1es
No. LXXVU Govt. Press, Trivandrum 1922 .
09.Ganapati Sastri T. (Ed.) Manu~yaJayacandrika, (Samskrt)
Trivandrum Samskrt Series No. LVI G~ovt . Press, Trivandrum, 1917.
1O.Ganapati Sastri T. (Ed.) Mayamata of Mayamuni, (Samskrt)
Trivandrum Samskrt Series No. LXV, Govt. Press, Trivandrum,
1919. I 1'-
Baroda, 1929.
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yam
~ Manu ~yalayac andrikab ha~yatn
13.Karta N.G, Si/pakaumudi(Mal.) S.T Reddiar Press, Quilon 1125
(M.E). APPENDIX- 2
14.Kanippayyur Sankaran Namboodiripad, (Ed.) Manu~yalaya TREES ASSIGNED TO BIRTH STARS
candrika (Mal.) Panchangam Pustakasala, Kunnamkulam, 1983.
Star Assigned Tree
15.Kanippayyur Damodaran Namboodiripad, (Ed.) Tantrasamu-
~ Local name Botanical name
ccayam, Silpa Bhagam (Mal.) Panchangam Pustakasala, 1. Aswati
Kunnamkulam, 1983.
2. Bharani •
16.National Building Code of India (1983), Bureau of Indian
• 3. Krttika
Standards, Group 1-5, New Delhi, 1989.
~
4. Rohini
17.Neelakanthan Asari K., Manu~yalayamahacandrika, (Mal.) S.T. '
Reddiar & Sons Quilon, 1987 . 5. MrgaSirsam
•
18.0useph P.V., Manu~yalayacandrika, unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, 6. Ardra
Calict:Jt University, Dept. of Samskrit, 1992. 7. Punarvasu
19.Prabhu Balagopal T.S., Vastuvidyadars~nam(Mal.) Vistuvidya- 8. Pusam
- I•
pratisthanam, Calicut, 1994. 9. Aslesam
.. ~
•
Trivandrum Samskrt Series No. XCVIII, Kerala University Oriental 22. Tiruvonam
Research Institute ancl Manuscript Library, Trivandrum, 1929. 23. Avittam
••
26. Seetha Padmanabhan and Sampath R.N., (Ed.) Padmasamhita 24. Cathayam
Vol.l,• Pancharatra Parisothana Parishad, Madras, 1974. 25. Pururuttati
'.
27.Stella Kramrisch, The Hindu Temple Vol. I & II, Motilal Banarsidass, ...
26. Uttrattati
New Delhi, 1991. 27. Revati I
•
317
316
Manusyalayacandrikab ha$yam
• A1an usyalayacandrikab hasya1n
' \
APPENDIX- 4
Similarly other vyama values also Gan be normalised. By this
DESIGN TABLES process, 4 sets of perimeters giving the 4 characteristic yoni
numbers can be generated (tables AP.01, AP.02, AP.03, AP.04).
01 THE PRIME DIMENSION
02.02 ASTROLOGICAL CRITERIA
The prime dimension of vastu can be its width, height, area
The auspiciousness or otherwiSe of the perimeter is
or perimeter, according to different texts. Of ttlese, the perimeter traditionally determined from astrological computations. On this
has come to be accepted as the prime dimension, because it can basis, perimeters are classified as most auspicious (uttama,U)
be directly measured for all shapes of vastumar~ala and it moderately auspicious (madhyamB, M) and less auspicious
incorporates other shape factors also depending on its form (adhama, A). Among the less auspicious perlmeter~, some are
(akara). In traditional practice, design tables are prepared to obtain considered to be highly inauspicious (based on what IS known as
suitable perimeters based on the twin criteria of i) orientation (yont) their .. age") and are not recommended for constructions. Wit~ out
and ii) astrological properties defining their auspiciousness. But in going into their elaborate computatiofls, ~he classi~ication a~ g1ven
modern practice, the design generally starts with the area. Hence in classical computational tables are relied upon 1n prepanng the
it is convenient to link up the two methods, so that both practices 4 tables mentioned above.
can be ~uttJally adapted.
•
03 ELEMENTS OF THE TABleS
02 ACCEPTABILITY CRITERIA FOR THE PERIMETERS
1n the tables , the first column refers to the serial order .o~ the
02.01 THE CRITERION OF ORIENTATION
The perimeter of a vastu is ehosen to satisfy its primary Perimeters. The second column gtves the vyama category.
. · · and the
criterion of orientation. This is known as the canon of yoni as
explained in chapter 3. According to this, perimeters expressed
in the sub-unit of pada, when divided by 8, shall yield remainders
• lllV \ • • • • The side of the square
of 1,3,5 and 7 for vastu located to the east, south, west or north
side respectively of the focal point of the maf)cjala viz. the
Brahmanabhi. These remainders a~e called yoni numbers. The
perimeters can, therefore, be conveniently put into 4 groups, each irom the given pen meter Will be a
with a different yoni number. In effect, this is a system of is given in column 9 in square meters.
normalising perimeters from the criterion of orientation. For erimeters of the set 1 are the
example, a perimeter of 1 vyama (equal to 8 pada) can be
norrmalised to
' IUffi SIZe
i) 9 pada to give yoni number 1 ( dhwajayon1)
ii) 11 pada to give yoni number 3 (simhayon1),
iii) 13 pada to yield yoni number 5 (vr.sabhayonJ) and
iv) 15 pada giving a remainder of 7 (gajayon1).
are those of prasadas a 321
32()
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Manufyalayacandrikabha~yam Manu~yalayacandrikahhii.yatn
classification helps one to choose the perimeter suitable for all of the padayoni width from the tabl e.
desired functions. 3. From the chosen width and length, the area can be computed
For th; select~d examples the areas will be 23.4m2 and
04 PADAYONI PRINCIPLE
22.7m respe~t1vely. These valu es can be seen to be less
It was mentioned in chapter 3 that padayoni principle gives a than the max1mum area given for the chosen perimeter
refined system for proportioning spaces. According to this namely 23.62m in column 9. It can be seen that as the rati~
2
principle, the width and the length of a rectangular space are of length to width increases, the enclosed area decreases
chosen such that perimeters of the squares constructed on them i.e the space enclosure efficiency of th e rectangle decreases
also have to yield yoni numbers characteristic of the room. The by the shape factor. Therefore, it is evident that when the
padayoni principle has been applied for determining dimensions design starts from a given area, one should chose a perimeter
such as the width of staircase, the width of corridors, the length corresponding to a higher value.
of steps and other features of a building which are specified by 06 THE PROPORTIONING OF ROOMS OF GIVEN AREA
one lateral dimension alone. This principle can also be used for
fixing the vertical elements like height of plinth, height of wall etc. In modern practice, the area of the room is specified. Let
2
For example, the width of a passage for a building of dhwajayoni the specified area be 22m . Let the room be in simhayoni. Start
2
category can be directly taken to be 150cm, 198cm etc. from from 24.80m , column 9 of vyama category 10 of table AP-02.
column 8 of the table AP 01. The ruling perimeters of these The corresponding padayoniwidth is 4.9.8m. We can have length
and width equal to 5.46m and 4.5m (adding and substracting 48cm
padayoni widths considering squares of 150cm and 198cm which
from padayoniwidth) or 5.94m and 4.02m (with 96cm increments).
fall in the same dhwajayoni category will be 6.00 m and 7.92 m 2 2
The respective areas will be 24.57m for the first case and 23.88m
respectively as seen from column 5 of the table.
in the second case.
05 PROPORTIONING BY PADA YON/ PRINCIPLES
07 WIDTH AND LENGTH HAVING PADAYONI DIFFERENT
For square rooms, for any given normalised perimeter given FROM THAT OF THE ROOM
in columns 4 and 5, the side of the square is given in columns 7 It has been shown that by substractin g and adding 48cm or
and 8 in traditional and metric units respectively. For rectangular its multiples, the resulting width and length have the same
rooms, the width and length are decided by the following steps. padayoni as that of the room. This limits the choice of values for
1. For the given perimeter, read the padayoniwidth from columns width and length. Hence some practitioners reco~m~nd t~at ~he
7 and 8 of the table. For example, for a dhwajayoni perimeter increment may be 12cm instead of 48cm. Th1s w1ll st1ll g1ve
of 19.44m (27HOA), the padayoni width is 4.86m(6H 18A) padayoni values, but the yoni will be different from that of t~e
(table AP01 ). room. For example, take the perimeter of room to be 27H tn
2. For obtaining the width of the room, 48cm or its multiples can dhwajayoni. It-s padayoni in dhwaja is 4.86n: (tab!~ AP-01., set.2).
be deducted from the padayoni width. An equal increment I
With increments of 12cm, we get the followm g pa1rs of w1dth and
is added to the padayoniwidth to get the length. For example, length: ·
for the above case of 19.44m perimeter, the width and length 4.74m and 4.98m in gaja and simha respectively;
could be 4.38m and 5.34m or 3.90m and 5.82m. It may be 4.62m and 5.1 Om both Vf~abha;
noted that these values can be directly taken from both sides 323
322 ,.
Man usyaJayac andrikab ha~yam Manusyiilayacandrikahllasya
•
~
m
TABLE AP01 22 177 59-0 42.48 M 14-18 10.62 112.78
DHWAJAYON/MEASUREMENTS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF 4 23 185 61-16 44.40 A 15-10
•
11.1 0 123.21
BUILDINGS 24 193 64-8 46.32 M 16-2 11.58 134.1 0
. 25 201 67-0 48.24 u 16-18
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12.06 145.44
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H-A m m2 28 225 75-0 54.00 M 18-18 13.50 182.25
Pada Hasta -Angula o E
1 2 3 4 (.) 5 6 7 8 9 5 29 233 77-16 55.92 u 19-10 13.98 195.44
I: 1 9 3-0 2.16 M 0-18 0.54 0.29 30 241 80-8 57.84 u 20-02 14.46 209.09
2 17 5-16 4.08 u 1-10 1.02 1.04 31 249 83-0 59.76 A 21-18 14.94 223.20
1 3 25 8-8 6.00 u 2-2 1.50 2.25 32
4 33 11-0 7.92 M 2-18 1.98 3.92 33 265 88-8 63.60 M 22-2 15.90 252.81
5 41 13-16 9.84 A 3-10 2.46 6.05 34 273 91-0 65.52 u 22-18 16.38 268.30
6 49 16-8 11.76 u 4-2 2.94 8.64 6 35 281 93-16
•
67.44 M 23-10 16.86 284.26
7 36 289 96-8 69.36 A 24-2 17.34 300.68
37 297 99-0 71.28 M 24-18 17.82 317.55
8 65 21-16 15.60 M 5-10 3.90 15.21
9 73 24-8 17.52 M 6-2 4.38 19.18 38
2 10 81 27-0 19.44 u 6-18 4.86 23.62 39
11 89 29-16 21.36 u 7-10 5.34 28.52 40 321 107-0 77.04 u 26-18 19.26 370.95
12 97 32-8 23.28 A 8-2 5.82 33.87 41 329 109-16 78.96 A 27-10 19.74 389.67
•
7 42 337 112-8 80.88 M 28-2 20.22 408.93
13
115-0 82.80 A 28-18 20.70 428.49
14 113 37-16 27.12 u 9-10 6.78 45.96 43 345
448:59
15 121 40-8 29.04 u 10-2 7.26 52.70 44 353 117-16 84.72 u 29-10 21.18
•
3 16 129 43-0 30.96 M 10-18 7.74 59.91 45
88.56 u 30-18 22.14 490.18
17 137 45-16 32.88 u 11-10 8.22 67.57 46 369 123-0
511.66
18 145 48-8 34.80 A 12-2 8.70 75.69 47 377 125-16 90.48 u 31-10 22.62 •
•
TABLE AP03 4 22 181 60-8 43.44 A 15-02 10.86 117.94
VRSASHAYON/MEASUREMENTS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF 23 189 63-0 45.36 M 15-18 11.34 128.60
BUILDINGS 24 197 65-16 47.28 u 16-10 11.82 139.71
"'C
Cl) c: 25
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~ ...
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... c:
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~
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E
Side of the square
with the given
Area
26 213 71-0 51.12 u 17-18 12.78 163.33
~ Cl) Traditional units O.uc:
~..,
::::. ~
(.)
0
z
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._..,
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a: perimeter 27 221 73-16 53.04 A 18-10 13.26 175.83
Pada Hasta -Angula
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o E •
H-A m m2
5 28 229 76-8 54.96 u 19-2 13.74 188.79
1 2 3 4 u 5 6 7-. 8 9
29 237 79-0 56.88 M 19-18 14.22 202.21
1 13 4-8 3.12 M 1-2 0.78 0.61 30 245 81-16 58.80 A 20-10 14.70 216.09
2 21 7-0 5.04 M 1-18 1.26 1.59 31 253 84-8 60.72 u 21-2 15.18 230.43
1 3 29 9-16 6.96 u 2-10 1.74 3.03 32
4 37 12-8 8.88 A 3-2 2.22 4.93 33 269 89-16 64.56 u 22-10 16.14 260.50
276.22
I
5 45 15-0 10.80 u 3-18 2.70 7.29 277 92-8 66.48 A 23-2 16.62
34
95-0 68.40 A 23-18 17.10 292.41
6 53 6 35 285
97-16 70.32 A 24-10 17.58 309.06
7 61 20-8 14.64 u 5-2 3.66 13.40 36 293
326.16 .
100-8 72.24 M 25-2 18.06
8 69 23-0 16.56 A 5-18 4.14 17.14 37 301
2 9 77 25-16 18.48 M 6-10 4.62 21.34 38
76.08 M 26-10 19.02 361.76
10 85 28-8 20.40 M 7-2 5.10 26.01 39 317 105-16
19.50 380.25
11 93 31-0 22.32 A 7-18 5.58 31.14 40 325 108-8 78.00 A 27-2
u 27-18 19.98 399.20
33-16 24.24 u 8-10 41 333 111-0 79.92
12 101 6.06 36.72 7 20.46 418.61
81.84 u 28-10
•
42 341 113-16
13 20.94 438.48
349 116-8 83.76 A 29-2
•
43
14 117 39-0 28.08 u 9-18 7.02 49.28
15 125 41-16 30.00 A 10-10 7.50 56.25 44 479.61
87.60 . M 30-10 21.90
45 365 121-16 22.38 490.12
.
•
3 16 133 44-8 31.92 A 11-2 7.98 63.68
373 124-8 89.52 u 31-2
17 141 47-0 33.84 u 11-18 8.46 71.57 . 46 22.86 522.58
127-0 91.44 u 31-18
18 149 49-16 35.76 A 12-10 8.94 79.92 8 47 381 23.34 544.7 6
93.36 A 32-10
48 389 129-16 568.3 5
19 A 33-2 23.84
•
132-8 95.28
49 397
•
20 165 55-0 39.60 u 13-18 9.90 98.01
50
21 173 57-16 41.52 u 14-10 10.38 107.74
329
~
•
328
,
•
Manu~yalayacandrikabllasyam
Manu~yalayac andrikab Jla~yam '
'
21-00
•
43 351 117-0
14 119 39-16 28.56 A 9-22 7.14 50.98
•
33()
•
Manu~yalayacandrikabhasyatn
a
•
334 335
•
Manu~yalayacandri/Cab ha~yam •
•
Manu~yalayacandrikabha~yatn
/~fadevata (4) Deity of one's choice. it to the grain ~ize-6 , 7 ?r 8 in number denoting the minimum ,
Jagati (104) The vertical part of basement above paduka. median or max1mum Width , adhama , madhyama and uttama,
Janaka (160) Creator or origin; that which is derived is janya. angu/as are obtained . . . .
Jayanti (226) Cross beams. Mancaka (203) Spec1f1c pattern of honzontal mou\ding of
basement .
Ka/asadma (295) Farm house. Mandala (55) Oemarkated area; generally of circular shape but
Kalari (32) Training place . also used to describe any area defined by a perimeter, regular or
Kal)pa (207) The shaft of the column; the portion between base irregular.
and capital. · Mandapa (104) Pavilion .
Kapota (226) The projecting portion of entablature with an S Mangalaphalaka (273) Ornamental decorative plank between the
shape. door head and wall plate. .
KarpapramaQa (209) PramaQa or reference measurement Manu$yapramatJa (86) Anthropomet~tc standard~ measurement
(module) equal to the length of diagonal. system based on the size and proportions ~f human. body. . . •
Karl)asutra (193) Diagonal axis of a mandala; mainly refered for Marma (70) Intersection of orthogonal and diagonal lines of a gnd,
·the line from S-W to N-E. vulnerable point; nodes . .
Karl)avedha (193) The affliction of any reference line or part of Marmavedha (70) Intersection with vulnerable pomts,
the building with a diagonal in the mandala. MilsUra (191) synonym of adhi$.th8na.
Kavata (275) Leaf of the door. Mitrimgula (87) Measurement of angula related to the body
Kha!Jpa (49) Sector. measure , varies with ethnic groups.
•
Kl$kU (91) Standard hasta equal to 24 uttamangula; 72 em . Must/ (97) Fist, a measure of 3 angu/am; also known as parva.
•
Ko.ti (236) Diagonal (oblique line); also the hip rafter. •
33X
Manu~yiilayacandrikabna~yam
Manusyalayacandrikahhasyatn
iconography in terms of face length which is equal to length of occupy all VastumaQ9ala . The symbolic figure of a man overlaid
palm; fa/amana is the proportionate system of measurement using or depicted on vastu.
tala as a module. Vastupuru$ama1Jf}ala (77) The Vastumar:u;Jala with the figure of
Tantra (8) Ritualistic practice generally related to worship of sakti; Vastupuru~a superimposed on it indicating the position of
applied knowledge. padadevatas.
- ,_ ~
Tejas (3) Lustre; splendour, energy. Vastusastra (3) The prescriptions for building ; generally, the term
Tila (86) The diameter of the til oil seed; 1/64 of angula; 0.47mm. is used to denote traditional Indian building technology.
Tiryak (222) Cross wise (placing of JTlembers). Vastuvidya (8) The knowledge of building science: the term is
Trisala (135) A combination of 3 ekasalas. used to denote tradtionallndian architecture.
Tulapada (226) Projecting end of joist. · Vastusthapana (12) Design and construction of vastu.
Vayu(22) God of wind ; regent of norht-west direction, also callled
Upanaha (190) Course below the paduka; the top most levelling ana/a.
course of foundation. Vedha (54) lntersection ;affliction.
-
l!.papifha (191) Course or platform below the basement. Vedi (289) Platform.
Urdhvapa.(ti (274) Lintel; plank kept above the door frame to Vidik(21) Corner direction, generally inclined at 45° to the cardinal
support the masonry portion above it. directions: Analysis is taken up to 32 divisions of a circle.
Uttama (93) Best; maximum. Vi mana (1 04) Structure of the sanctum sanctorum ; vehicle used
for the procession of deities: literally menas that which is measured
Uttamanga (300) Head;
proportiontely.
Uttara (122) North; also wall plate, categorised as khar:u:fottara, Viskambha (232) Intermediate beam in a roof section ;
pattrottara, rupottara; kshudrottara is purlin supporting the roof viikambhap§da is the strut supporting vi~kambha. . .
and bearing on the uttara; ankal)oftara is purlin at the eave. Vitanarekha(242) horizantalline, used to denote the sloptng wtdth
Utthana (76) Face up position of a rafter.
Vlthi(201 path; enveloping shell; vas~umar;uj~Ja_is gener~lly divid~d
Vaideha (89) Hasta measure of length equal to 29 standard
into 4 vithis but in an 18 x 18 gnd , 9 VJfh1s are g1ven as 1n
uttamangula. Manu~yalayacandrika . Vlth\vinayasa , analysis of margala by
Vaipulya(89) Hasta measurement of length equal to 30 standard enveloping regions.
uttamanagula . Vrk~a (25) Tree; in general terms it is used to i.ncl.ude all plan~s ;
Vajana (204) Fillet; projection from the vertical plane; wing-like classified traditionally into antassara , (hard core 1ns1de) , saNasara
treatment on basement, walls or roof elements;derived from vaji, (hard wood thoughout) , bahissara (hard wood outside) and nissara
meaning horse. (hard wood nowhere). .
Valabhi (226) Decorative moulding for beams, door frames etc. Vyama (87) Anthropometric measure betwe~n the t1ps of the
Vamsa (237) ridge to which all rafters join; literally mean clan; middle fingers with hands outstretched to two stdes ; 8 pada or 64
also called agradhani. angula.
Vardhaki (12) One of the 4 divisions of silpins who assembles Yajamana (11) Owner of building ; patron ; one who leads yajna .
the different building components; literally vardhaki means 'one Yana (19) Vehicle used for travel.
who increases or joins'. Yava (86) Grain of barley ; a linear measur~me~t equal to 1/8 of
Var(la (11) Class of people, the four classes being brahmapa, •
angula, approximately 3.75 mm ; yavodara 1s wtdth of yava.
k$atriya, vaisya and sOdra; also colour. Yojana (1 01) Linear measurement equal to 1000 raJJU or 8000
Vastu (10) Dwelling place; derived from the Samsk.rt word vas ~n~ . .
meaning "to dwell". Yoni ( 106) Architectural formula for orientation ; literally yont means
Vastumapflala (46) Specified region for the planning of building 'origin'.
and other artefacts.
Vastupuru~a (15) The mythological being which is believed to 341
34()
•
Manu~syalayacandrikO,bhasyatn
- -
. ' •
(Regd. under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 Reg. No. 558/1193. Kozhikode)
MAIN OB,JECTIVE
1. To provide for and promote the study and research of Vcistuvidya,
the traditional architecture of India and its allied fields, with spe-
cial reference to Kerala.
2. To execute programmes for education and training including aware-
ness courses, seminars, symposia, workshops, conferences on
building sciences, rural and urban planning and related subjects .
•
of the research.
6. Organising training centres, library and museum.
342