Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v1.c6.s27: R

Mānasāra Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Mānasāra-Śilpaśāstra; III. Mānasāra on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Mānasāra: Translation; V. Architecture of Mānasāra: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v1.c6.s27

Language: English

R

v1.c6.s27.1

RAKTA-KAMPA—A moulding of the base, a fillet. (M. XIV. 287, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

v1.c6.s27.2

RAKTA-PAṬṬA—(cf. Ratna-paṭṭa)—A moulding of the base, a band. (M. XIV. 289, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṣṭhāna).

v1.c6.s27.3

RAKTA-BANDHA—A class of bases. (M. xiv. 281-296, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna; see also xv. 223).

v1.c6.s27.4

RAKTA-VAPRA—A moulding of the base, the cavetto. (M. xiv. 284, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

v1.c6.s27.5

RAṄGA—A theatre, an amphitheatre, a stage, an arena, an assembly-hall, a court, a courtyard.

v1.c6.s27.6

(1) A pavilion within another pavilion is called Raṅga:

v1.c6.s27.7

Maṇḍape maṇḍapaṁ yat tu raṅgam ity-abhidhīyate ||
(Kāmikāgama, L. 94).

v1.c6.s27.8

(2) Courtyard:

v1.c6.s27.9

Tasya madhye cha raṅge tu mauktikena prapānvitam |
(M. xxxiv. 218).
Mukha-śālā viśālā cha chatur-bhāgaṁ tathāyatam |
Purato' liṅdam ekāṁśaṁ bhittiṁ kuryāt samantataḥ |
Mūlāgre dvi-dvi-bhāgena vāsa-raṅgaṁ cha kārayet |
(M. xxxv. 117-119, see also xxiii. 50, xxxviii. 44, etc).

v1.c6.s27.10

(3) Uttare raṅgam ity-uktaṁ tad-gṛihiṇyā gṛihaṁ bhavet ||

v1.c6.s27.11

Eka-śālā praśastā syāt strīṇāṁ raṅgopajīvinām ||
Pradhāna-śālā yatraiva raṅga-sthānaṁ vidhīyate ||
Raṅga-bhitti-samāyuktaṁ dhāma-sopāna-saṁyutam ||
(Kāmikāgama, xxxv. 47, 60, 62, 64).

v1.c6.s27.12

RAṄGA-MAṆḌAPA—A pavilion, an assembly-hall, a council-chamber. Cf. Nāt (nṛitta) mandira implying the detached maṇḍapa or hall in front of a temple, where the visitors assemble and indulge in religious music.

v1.c6.s27.13

(1) An assembly-hall (Hampe inscrip. of Krishnaraya, lines 24, 32, north face).

v1.c6.s27.14

“In the Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenlandischen (Bd. lviii. s. 455) Dr. Bloch makes some remarks respecting a cave in Rāmgarh hill in Sargūjā, which, from its arrangements and inscription, appears to have been evidently intended for dramatic performances.”

v1.c6.s27.15

“The so called Queen’s cave and that of Gaṇeśa in Udayagiri are further undoubted examples, to the reliefs of which Jacobi has directed my attention: they represent the doings of these ladies and gentlemen (actresses and actors) in a highly realistic way. The cave-theatre discovered by Bloch has, however, a special interest; it is arranged after the Greek pattern.”

v1.c6.s27.16

Prof. Lüders refers to Kālidāsa (1) dari-gṛiha (Kumāra-sambhava, 1, 10, 14); (2) Śilā-veśman (Megha-dūta, 1, 25). (Indian Caves as Pleasure-resorts, Ind. Ant. vol. XXXIV. p. 199, para 3; p. 200, para 1).

v1.c6.s27.17

(2) Iṟaṅgada happaḷigeyumaṁ imahā-sopāna paṅtiyumaṁ rachisidaṁ Śrī-Gommaṭa-devara suttalu raṅgama-happaligeyam bigiyisidan—“had this raṅgada happaḷige (? painted hall or hall of assembly) and the flight of grand stairs laid out; had the raṅgama happaḷige set up around Śrī-Gommaṭa Deva.” (Ep. Carnat. vol. II. no. 115, Roman text, p. 87, Transl. p. 171).

v1.c6.s27.18

(3) Kārite vīra-Ballāḷa-paṭṭana-svāmināmūnā। Nāgena Pārśva-devāgre nṛitya-raṅgāśma-kuṭṭime। “By Nāga, the Vīra-Ballāḷa-paṭṭana-svāmi, were built the dancing-hall and terrace of Pārśva Deva.” Nṛitya-raṅgamumaṁ mādisida—“and in front of the basadi of Kamaṭha Pārśva Deva stone pillars and a dancing hall” were made. (Ep. Carnat. vol. II. no. 130, Roman text, p. 99, lines 1-4; Transl. p. 178, para 1).

v1.c6.s27.19

RAṄGA-MUKHA—A class of buildings. (Kāmikāgama, XLV. 52, see under Mālikā).

v1.c6.s27.20

RATNA-KALPA—A kind of ornament prescribed for idols and kings. (M. L. 3, see under Bhūshaṇa).

v1.c6.s27.21

RATNA-KĀNTA—A class of six-storeyed buildings.

v1.c6.s27.22

RATNA-GṚIHA—The jewel-house, the adytum of a Buddhist temple, (?) a stūpa or tope.

v1.c6.s27.23

Ratna-gṛihe cha dīpako jvalatu | mama chāparārddhāt pañchaiva bhikshavo bhuñjatāṁ ratna-gṛihe cha dīpaka iti ||

v1.c6.s27.24

"From the interest of the dīnāras given by him . . . let a lamp burn in the jewel-house, . . . and with the other half . . . let the same number of five Bhikshus be fed and a lamp burn in the jewel-house"

v1.c6.s27.25

"It seems to denote the stūpa itself, as the abode of the three ratnas or 'jewels or precious stones', viz. (1) Buddha; (2) Dharma, the law or truth; and (3) Saṁgha, the community or congregation." This rendering of the term by the whole 'stūpa' seems unsuitable to the context: a lamp was provided to light up the 'ratna-gṛiha' which must imply a room or a particular part thereof, and not the whole 'stūpa.'

v1.c6.s27.26

(Sanchi stone Inscrip. of Chandragupta II, lines 9-10, C.I.I. vol. III.

v1.c6.s27.27

F. G. I. no. 5, pp. 32, 33-34, note 5 on p. 33).

v1.c6.s27.28

RATNA-PAṬṬA—A moulding, a jewelled band, a jewelled turban.

v1.c6.s27.29

A moulding of the pedestal (M. XIII. 84, see the lists of mouldings under Upapīṭha).

v1.c6.s27.30

A head gear (M. XLIX. 16, see under Bhūshaṇa).

v1.c6.s27.31

RATNA-PUSHPA—A diamond-flower, an armament.

v1.c6.s27.32

(Deopara Inscrip. of Vijayasena, v. 11, Ep. Ind. vol. I. pp. 308, 313).

v1.c6.s27.33

RATNA-BANDHA—(see Rakta-bandha)—A class of bases.

v1.c6.s27.34

(M. XIV. 281-296, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

v1.c6.s27.35

RATNA-MAṆḌAPA—A kind of pavilion.

v1.c6.s27.36

(M. XXXII. 48, see Maṇḍapa).

v1.c6.s27.37

RATNI—(cf. Aratni)—A measure of 21 aṅgulas or about 16 inches.

v1.c6.s27.38

Ratnir aṅgula-parvaṁ saṁkhyayā tv-eka-viṁśatiḥ |

v1.c6.s27.39

(Brahmāṇḍa-Purāṇa, part I, 2nd anushaṅga-pāda, chap. 7, v. 98).

v1.c6.s27.40

A measure equal to the cubit with closed or clenched fist (Suprabhedāgama, XXX. 24).

v1.c6.s27.41

RATHA—A chariot, a carriage, a car, a vehicle, a tank, a war-chariot, the body, a limb, a|shrine.

v1.c6.s27.42

(1) Mānasāra (chap. XLIII. named Ratha):

v1.c6.s27.43

Rathas are constructed for ceremonial and ordinary drives of idols, Brahmins and Kings, as well as for fighting, mock-fighting, and other purposes (lines 1, 131-133).
Wheels and other, parts of Rathas, their shapes, measurement, and ornaments and mouldings are described (2-3 f). Other architectural details are also given (3-11).
With regard to shape, Rathas are divided into seven classes, namely, Nabhasvān-bhadraka, Prabhañjana-bhadraka, Nivāta-bhadraka, Pavana-bhadraka, Pṛishada-bhadraka, Indraka-bhadraka, and Anila-bhadraka (112-115). The first of these is square, the second hexagonal; the third should have two bhadras or porticoes and the fourth three porticoes, the fifth and the sixth should have ten porticoes, and the last one should have twelve porticoes (117-120). But according to some, the seven shapes are respectively semi-circular, circular, elliptical, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, and oval (121-123).

v1.c6.s27.44

Rathas are further divided into four types, namely, Nāgara, Drāviḍa, Andhra, and Vesara. The square Rathas are called Nāgara, the octagonal ones Drāviḍa, the hexagonal ones Andhra, and the round ones Vesara (124-125).

v1.c6.s27.45

In accordance with various purposes, Rathas are furnished with different kinds of wheels and other parts. Thus a war chariot or tank has three wheels, the chariot for mock-fighting has four wheels, one for ordinary festival is furnished with five wheels, one for special festival may have six, seven, eight, nine or ten wheels (131-137).

v1.c6.s27.46

The number of vedis or platforms, storeys, etc., of these Rathas as well as the Rathas of the Bauddhas and of the Jinakas also described (138-171, 3-111).

v1.c6.s27.47

(2) Svarṇaiḥ sughaṭitaṁ sādhu-ratha-trayaṁ alaṁkṛtam |
Dukūla-ratna-mālādyair bahu-mūlyair dṛḍhaṁ mahat ||
(Skanda-Purāṇa, Vaishṇava-khaṇḍa-dvitīya, chap. 25, v. 8).

v1.c6.s27.48

(3) "On the east elevation of the temple . . . . . eight small shrines (known as Ratha) stand in a row from north to south on each side of the eastern entrance, six on the left."
"The Ratha, on the extreme left, stands completely detached. It is a square shrine, with carved panels on the back of the chamber."
"A small platform is in front, with yali piers (blocks uncarved), each having its capital complete."
"The basement is a square granite plinth, and square free stone course with semi-octagonal moulding over; the upper base is a square granite course on which the superstructure rests; on the wall head over the pilasters are brackets which carry the cornice."
"As these shrines are very similar to the monoliths at Māmallāpuram, known by the name of Rathas, the term is here used advisedly."
(Pallava Architecture, Arch. Surv. new Imp. series, vol. xxxiv. p. 22, paras 3, 4, 5, 6; note 96; see plate xxv).

v1.c6.s27.49

RATHAKA—A type of building, a shrine, a temple.

v1.c6.s27.50

Ashṭamāṁśena garbhasya rathakānāṁ tu nirgamaḥ |
Paridher guṇa-bhāgena rathakāṁs tatra kalpayet ||
Tat-tṛitīyena vā kuryād rathakānāṁ tu nirgamaḥ |
Vāma-trayaṁ sthāpanīyaṁ rathaka-tritaye sadā ||
(Agni-Purāṇa, chap. 42, v. 13-14).
Nemiḥ pādona-vistīrṇā prāsādasya samantataḥ |
Paridhes trayāṁśako madhye rathakāṁs tatra kārayet ||
(Ibid. chap. 104, v. 7).

v1.c6.s27.51

RATHA-KUMBHA—A pitcher-like part of the column.

v1.c6.s27.52

RATHA-VĪTHI—The broad road fit for driving chariot and other vehicles, the high way, the main street. (See Kāmikāgama under Rāja-vīthi).

v1.c6.s27.53

RAHASYĀVĀSA-MAṆḌAPA—A pavilion where kings reside in secret, a bed-room, a private chamber. (M. XL. 147, see under Maṇḍapa).

v1.c6.s27.54

RĀJA-GṚIHA—The royal palace. (See details under Rāja-harmya).

v1.c6.s27.55

RĀJA-DHĀNI—(see under Nagara)—The king's residence, the capital city where the king usually resides, the seat of Government, the metropolis. Definition: Vidyā sthānaṁ tu tadvat syāt bahu-senā-samanvitaṁ | Rāja-veśma-samāyuktā rāja-dhānīti kathyate || (Kāmikāgama, XX. 14).

v1.c6.s27.56

Cf. "With myriads of people, practices of virtue, agreeable occupations, streams of the (nine) sentiments, pleasure-gardens, separated lovers, splendid tanks, full lotus beds, gilded boats for spring-festivals, ghaṭikā-sthānas (religious centres), the supports of dharmma and mines of enjoyment, moats which were as if the sea being overcome had returned here on account of the collection of gems, groups of the lotus-faces of beautiful women fair as the moon, (grāma-nagara-kheḍa-kharvvaṇa-maḍamba-droṇa-mukha-pura-paṭṭana-rāja-dhānī), on whatever side one looked, in these nine forms did the Kuntala-deśa shine." (Ep. Carnat. vol. VII. Shikarpur Taluq, no. 197, Transl. p. 124, para 1, last seven lines; Roman text, p. 214, line 27f).

v1.c6.s27.57

RĀJA-PATHA—The broad street, the big road, the high way. Dhanūṁshi daśa-vistīrṇaḥ śrīmān rāja-pathaḥ kṛitaḥ | Nṛi-vāji-ratha-nāgānām asambādhas tu saṁcharaḥ || Dhanūṁshi chāpi chatvāri śākhā-rathyāś cha tair mitā | Trikā rathyoparathyāḥ syur dvikāś chāpy-uparathyakāḥ ||

v1.c6.s27.58

Janghā-pathas chatush-pādas tri-pādaṁ cha gṛihāntaraṁ |
Dhṛiti mārgas tūrddhva-shashṭhaṁ kramaśaḥ padikaḥ smṛitaḥ ||

v1.c6.s27.59

RĀJA-VĪTHI—The public road, the broad street, a road which runs round a village or town, also called Maṅgala-vīthi and Ratha-vīthi.

v1.c6.s27.60

Rāja-vīthīti vikhyātā grāmāder bahir-āvṛitā |
Saiva maṅgala-vīthīti ratha-vīthīti kathitā ||

v1.c6.s27.61

RĀJA-HARMYA—The palace of a king.

v1.c6.s27.62

Mānasāra (chap. XL, named Rāja-gṛiha):

v1.c6.s27.63

Palaces are divided into nine classes with regard to their size and as they belong to the nine classes of kings, namely, Sarva-bhūpa (or Sārva-bhauma, otherwise called Chakra-vartin), (lines 32, 1-9), Mahā-rāja (10-15), Narendra (16-19), Pārshṇika (19-22), Paṭṭa-dhara (23-25), Maṇḍaleśa (26-28), Paṭṭa-bhāj (29-31), Prāhāraka (32-36), and Astragrāha (37).

v1.c6.s27.64

Each palace admits of three sizes, namely, the largest, the intermediate, and the smallest, both as regards the measurement of dimensions (lines, 4, 10, 15, 36) and the number of walls, storeys, rooms, ditches, gardens, etc., (38-69). Thus three kinds of breadth are given to each palace. The length and height are determined in comparison with the breadth. The former (length) may vary from being equal to the breadth to being 2¼ times of it. Height is determined mostly by the number of storeys, rules for which have been discussed in another place (see under Tala and Bhūmi-lamba). The number of storeys, a palace should possess, has also been discussed in the same place. The enclosure, surrounding moat, etc., of each palace are briefly described in the present chapter. But the main object of the chapter is to give an account of inner and outer buildings belonging to royal palaces (71-111, 112-153).

v1.c6.s27.65

The Brahma-pīṭha or royal chapel is installed in the Bramasthāna or central part (156-159). The main palace is built in the best of the remaining parts, called Indra, Varuṇa, Yama, Pushpadanta, etc. Round the palace proper are arranged all other houses, such as the houses for the queen and the princesses, for private council-hall, drawing-room, dressing-room, bath-room, dining-hall, kitchen, bed-chambers, quarters for attendants, places for tanks and inner gardens, etc., (cf. Shoḍaśa-mandira chakra).

v1.c6.s27.66

Beyond the royal harem, the charm and luxuries of which are so well-known, are placed the official quarters, including residences of the crown prince, family-priest, ministers, and others.

v1.c6.s27.67

The royal-council and other offices are suitably accommodated; e.g., the palace of peace and war-office are directed to be built at the fourth compound in the southern side of the palace (148). Pleasure-gardens, flower-gardens, groves, tanks, etc., are gracefully laid out. Compare the following :

v1.c6.s27.68

Yāmye cha soma-dig vāpi vāyavye vātha nairṛite ।
Āsthāna-maṇḍapaṁ kuryāt pushkariṇyāṁ cha vāyave ।
Nāgasya vāmake yāmye kuryād ārāma-deśakam ।
Pushpodyānaṁ tataḥ kuryāt mukhya-bhallāṭake'pi cha ।
Nṛittāgāraṁ tataḥ kuryān nānā-nṛittāṅganāni cha ।
Tritīye vīthis tasyāṁśe rahasyāvāsa-maṇḍapam ।
Iśe vā vitathe chaiva raṅga-maṇḍapam eva cha ।

v1.c6.s27.69

Stables, cow-sheds, etc., where domestic animals are kept, are generally built near the main gate :

v1.c6.s27.70

Dvauvārika-pade chaiva mayūrālayam eva cha ।
Dvārasya dakshiṇe pārśve vyāgrakālayam eva cha ।
Pārśvake mesha-śālā cha satyake vānarālayam ।
Somād īśāna-paryantaṁ vāji-śālāṁ prakalpayet ।
Yāmyādi-pāvakāntaṁ syād gaja-śālāṁ prakalpayet ।

v1.c6.s27.71

Tasmāt tu nairṛityāntaṁ kukkuṭālayam eva cha ।
Vāyu-koṇādi-mukyāntaṁ mṛigāṇāṁ hariṇālayam ।

v1.c6.s27.72

(Ibid. 128-132).

v1.c6.s27.73

The elevated platforms to see the mock fight from are also placed near the door (148-150). The iron-pike (śūla-kampa) for capital punishment is placed in a prominent place near the gate (135). But the jail (kārāgara) is built in a rather out-of-the-way place, such as the Bhṛiśa, or the Antariksha part. All these are given by way of illustrations, the most part of the arrangement being left, as stated here, to the discretion of the artists, and the choice of the king (155). RĀJĀṄGA—The royal court, persons forming the king's suite or council, anything related to the king, the royal palace. In a chapter (XLI), named Rājaṅga, of the Mānasāra are described the nine classes of kings, their courts, kingdoms: royalties and some special characteristics. "Had a palace (Rājāṅga) built for Goparāja to the west of that pond." (Ep. Carnat. vol. x. Malur Taluq, no. 4, Roman text, p. 187, Transl. p. 156).

v1.c6.s27.74

RUCHAKA—A type of building, a class of columns.
(1) Prāk-paśchimāvalindāv-anta-gatau tad-avadhi-sthitau śeshau । Ruchake dvāraṁ na śubhadam uttarato' nyāni śastāni ॥ "The (building called) Ruchaka has a western and eastern terrace running to the end, and between their extremities two others. A northern door in it brings evil, doors on any other side are auspicious." (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LIII. 35, J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. p. 286).

Linked texts (11)

Mānasāra — Sanskrit
Agnipurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Suprabhedāgama — Sanskrit
Bṛhatsaṃhitā — Varāhamihira, Sanskrit
Kumārasaṃbhava — Kālidāsa, Sanskrit
Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Kāmikāgama — Sanskrit
Meghadūta — Kālidāsa, Sanskrit
Epigraphia Carnatica
Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Deopārā Inscription of Vijayasena (ed. Majumdar 1929) — Sanskrit