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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.s29: V

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.s29

Language
English

V

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VAKTRA—The face, a moulding. A moulding of the column (M. xv. 212-219). The face (M. lvii. 20, etc). See the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna, and Upapīṭha. VAKRA—Bent, winding, curved, curled, a type of octangonal building. (Garuḍa-Purāṇa, chap. 47, v. 21, 23, 31-32, see under Prāsāda). VAJRA—Adamantine, forked, zigzag, a diamond, the thunderbolt of Indra, a type of building, a type of column. a paste, plaster or cement. A column with eight rectangular sides (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, liii. 28). A paste, plaster or cement : Kalkaḥ kṛito dvitīyo'yaṁ vajrākhyaḥ । (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, lvii. 6, J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. vi. p. 322). A type of octangular building :
(1) Agni-Purāṇa (chap. 104, v. 20-21, see under Prāsāda).
(2) Garuḍa-Purāṇa (chap. 37, v. 21, 23, 31-32, see under Prāsāda). VAJRA-KĀNTA—A type of storeyed building. A class of eleven-storeyed buildings (M. xxxiv. 19-25, see under Prāsāda).

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VAJRA-KUMBHA—A moulding of the base and the pedestal, generally placed between a cyma and petal; it is so called, as it resembles an elongated pitcher. A moulding of the base (M. XIV. 253, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna). A moulding of the pedestal (M. XIII. 74, see the lists of mouldings under Upapīṭha).

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VAJRATARA—A paste, plaster, cement. Vajrataro nāma kalko'nyaḥ। (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LVII. 7, J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. p. 322).

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VAJRA-PAṬṬA—A moulding, a diamond-band, a fillet. A mouding of the base (M. XIV. 258, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

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VAJRA-PĀDA—A diamond-pillar, a type of small pillar. A pillar of the bedstead (M. XLIV. 61).

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VAJRA-BANDHA—A diamond-band, a type of base. A class of bases (M. XIV. 259-271, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

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VAJRA-LEPA—A paste, plaster, cement Kalko'yaṁ vajra-lepākshaḥ। (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LVII. 3, see J. R. A. S., N. S., VI. p. 321).

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VAJRA-LIṄGA—(see Liṅga)—A kind of phallus. (M. LI. 330, see under Liṅga).

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VAJRA-SAṀGHĀTA—A paste, plaster, cement. Maya-kathito yogo'yaṁ vijñeyo vajra-saṁghātaḥ। (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LVII. 8, see J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. p. 322).

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VAJRA-SVASTIKA—A type of building. A kind of octangular building (Agni-Purāṇa, chap. 104, v. 20-21, see under Prāsāda).

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VAJRĀSANA—(see Bodhi-maṇḍa)—A diamond throne, the miraculous throne under the Bodhi-tree at Gaya, on which Buddha and his predecessors sat when attaining perfect wisdom.
(1) "Bodhimanḍa is the name of the miraculous throne under the Bodhi-tree at Bodh Gaya, also called the Vajrasana or

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diamond-throne, on which Buddha and his predecessors sat, when attaining bodhi or perfect wisdom.”

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(2) Tenaitad atra kṛitam ātma-manovad uchchair vajrāsanasya bhavanaṁ bhuvanottamasya।

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“He erected here for the diamond throne, the best thing in the world, this habitation, lofty like his own mind.”
(Ghosrawa Buddhist Inscrip. line 14-15, Ind. Ant. vol. xvii. pp. 310, 311, 308, note 5).

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VADHŪ-NĀṬAKA—A theatre for females, a gallery, a balcony.

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Vadhū-nāṭaka-saṁghaiś cha saṁyuktāṁ sarvataḥ purīm।
Commentary: vadhūnāṁ nāṭaka-śālā।
(Rāmāyaṇa, I. 5, 12).

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VANA-DURGA—(cf. Nagara)—A forest-fort

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(See details under Durga).

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VAPRA—A rampart, a wall, a moulding of the base, an architectural member at the upper part of a building, a summit, a bank, a mound, a ditch, the foundation of a building, the gate of a town.

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(1) Chatur-daṇḍāvakṛishṭāṁ parikhāyāḥ shaḍ-daṇḍochchhritaṁ avaruddhaṁ tad-dvi-guṇa-vishkambhaṁ khātād vapraṁ kārayet।

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Vaprasyopari prākāram . . . . . ।
(Kauṭilīya-Arthaśāstra, chap: xxiv. pp. 51, 52).

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(2) The surrounding wall of a village:

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Grāmasya parito bāhye rakshārthaṁ vapra-saṁyutam।
Bāhye vapraṁ suvṛittakam . . . . . ।
(M. viii. 11, 37).
Evaṁ grāma(ṁ)-prasāraṁ cha bahir vapra-saṁyutam।
Paritaḥ parikhā bāhye vapra-yuktaṁ tu kārayet।
(M. ix. 61, 107, see also 147).
In connection with towers:
Etat paṭṭanam ākhyātaṁ vaprāyata-samanvitam।
Sarveshāṁ api durgāṇāṁ vapraiś cha parikhair vṛitam।
(M. x. 66, 106).
A moulding of the base (M. xiv. 20, 24, etc., see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

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In connection with buildings of one to twelve storeys :

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Adhishṭhāna-samaṁ mañchaṁ mañchordhve’rdhena vaprayuk |
(M. XXI. 14, etc).
Mālikopari vapraṁ syād adhishṭhānaṁ samodayam |
(M. XXXI. 64).

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(3) Wall (Dabhoi Inscrip. v. 111, Ep. Ind. vol. I. p. 31).

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(4) Rampart (Badnagar Praśasti of the reign of Kumārapāla, v. 23, Ep. Ind. vol. I. pp. 300, 303).

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(5) Yasyottuṅga-turaṁga-tāṇḍava-bhavaḥ prāṁśūtkaraḥ sainikaḥ svaḥ-sīmāsu marud-gaṇābhaya-mahā-vapra-prākāro’bhavat | (Sridhara's Devapattana Praśasti, v. 13, Ep. Int. vol. II. p. 441).

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(6) Rāmeśvarāya ghaṇa-maṇṭapa-vapra-saudha-ramyālayaṁ samatanot samatā rasajñaḥ |

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"He erected a temple (ālaya), adorned with a solid hall (maṇṭapa), a wall and a plastered mansion (saudha) to Rāmeśvara." (Mangalagiri Pillar Inscrip. v. 39; see also v. 29, 38, 48, Ep. Ind. vol. VI. pp. 123; 121, 122, 124; 112, 113, 114, 115).

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(7) Vapra-gopura-yutair nava-harmyaiḥ | (Kondavidu Inscrip. of Krishnaraya, v. 26, Ep. Ind. vol. VI. pp. 237, 231).

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(8) "He, the emperor of the south, caused to be made of stone for Vijaya-Nārāyaṇa (temple), latticed window, secure door-frame, (kavāṭa), door-lintel, kitchen, ramparts (udagra-vapra), pavilion, and a pond named the Vāsudeva-tīrtha." (Ep. Carnat. vol. V. part I, Belur Taluq, no. 72. Transl. p. 61, Roman text, p. 142, line 8).

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VAPRA-BANDHA—A type of base.

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A class of bases (M. XIV. 250-259, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna).

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VI(VAI)RĀṬA—A type of storeyed building, a class of twelve-storeyed buildings once prevailing in the country of Virāṭa (Jaipur).

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Chatur-adhika-tri-daśa-bhāgaṁ harmya-viśālake |
Ashṭāṁśena mahā-śālā pārśve śālā śivāṁśakam |
Dvyamśaṁ pañjara-śālā tad-ardhaṁ chāntarālakam |
Anuśālā tri-bhāgaṁ syād ekāṁsam antarālakam |
Dvi(dvya)ṁśaṁ pañjara-śālā cha pārśve bhā(hā)raḥ śivāṁśakam |
Kūṭa-nava(-nāṁ cha) dvi-bhāgaṁ syāt sarvaṁ yuktyāṁ sa-bhadrakam |
Mahā-śālā yugāṁśena madhyaṁ atra (bhadraṁ) prakārayet |
Tale tale vimāne tu śālā-pañjāra-shoḍaśaṁ |
Kshudra-śālā dvi-hārā cha tan-madhye chāshṭakaṁ bhavet |
Chatur-dikshu mahā-śālā chatush-kūṭaṁ tale tale |
Evaṁ vairāṭa-kāntaṁ syāch chheshaṁ bhāgaṁ tu pūrvavat |

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VARDHAKI—An architect, the designer, the painter. (See details under Sthapati).

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VARDHANI— A type of building. A class of round buildings (Agni-Purāṇa, chap. 104, v. 17-18, see under Prāsāda).

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VARDHAMĀNA—A class of buildings, a type of hall, a kind of phallus, an entablature, a joinery.

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(1) A kind of joinery (M. XVII. 84). A class of śālās or halls (M. xxxv. 4, see also 303). A kind of phallus (M. LII. 4).

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(2) Dvārālindo' nta-gataḥ praḍakshiṇo' nyaḥ śubhas tatas chānyaḥ | Tad-vach cha vardhamāne dvāraṁ tu na dakshiṇaṁ kāryam || "The Vardhamāna has a terrace before the (chief) entrance, extending to the end; then, when you proceed in a direction from left to right, another beautiful terrace and thereon again, another in the aforesaid direction. No southern door should be made in it."

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(3) Vedāsyaṁ vardhamānakam—the Vardhamāna house (śālā) has four faces.

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An entablature (Kāmikāgama, LIV. 7).

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**VA(BA)LABHI(-Ī)**—The roof, the frame of a thatch, the topmost part of a house, a class of storeyed buildings, a type of entablature, a class of rectangular buildings. a top-room, a turret, a balcony, an awning, a tent, any temporary erection on the flat roof of a house.

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(1) Tri-chandra-śālā bhaved valabhī। “The roof must have three dormer-windows.” Dr. Kern adds the following: “Comm. valabhī vātāyana; vātāyana in general means ‘any place whither one goes to take an airing; sometimes ‘a window’ is intended by it, other times the flat ‘roof’ of an Indian house. In the latter acceptation it is here used by Utpala, and frequently elsewhere; e.g. Kathā-sarit-sāgara (95, 18): sva-gṛihottuṅga-vātāyana-gataḥ; (103, 162): harmya-vātāyanārūḍhaḥ, etc.” (Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LVI. 25, LVII. 4, J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. pp. 319, 322, note).

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(2) A class of five-storeyed buildings (Matsya-Purāṇa, chap. 269, v. 35, 50, 53, see under Prāsāda). A type of rectangular building:

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(3) Agni-Purāṇa (chap. 204, v. 16-17, see under Prāsāda).

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(4) Garuḍa-Purāṇa (chap. 47, v. 21-22, 26-27, see under Prāsāda).

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(5) Prāsādāgravimāneshu valabhīshu cha sarvadā। (Rāmāyaṇa, II. 88, 5, see further context under Prāsāda).

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(6) Nāga-lokam . . . . . aneka-vidha-prāsāda-harmya-valabhī-niryūha-śata-saṁkulam। (Mahābhārata, I. 3, 133).

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(7) A synonym of the entablature (M. XVI. 19, see under Prastara). A moulding of the entablature (M. XVI. 79, see the lists of mouldings under Prastara). In connection with four-storeyed buildings: Nānādhishṭhāna-pādaiś cha valabhībhiś cha bahu-vidhaiḥ। (M. XXII. 94).

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(8) Kailāsa-tuṅga-śikhara-pratimāni chānyāny-ābhānti dīrgghe-valabhīni sa-vedikāni। Gandharvva-śabda-mukharāṇi nivishṭa chitra-karmmāṇi lola-kadali-vana-śobhitāni॥

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"And other long buildings on the roofs of the houses, with arbours in them, are beautiful, being like the lofty summits of (the mountain) Kailāsa; being vocal with songs (like those) of the Gandharvas; having pictured representations arranged (in them); (and) being adorned with groves of waving plantain trees."
(Mandasor stone Inscrip. of Kumāragupta, lines 6-7, C. I. I. vol. III. F. G. I. no. 18, pp. 81, 85).

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(9) . . . . . puṇyābhivṛiddhy-arthaṁ vaḍ(-l)abhīṁ kāra(ya)yitvā ananta-svāmi-pādaṁ pratishṭhāpya . . . . . l

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"Having caused (a temple having) a flat roof to be made, for the sake of increasing the religious merit of . . . . . (and) having installed the feet of (the god) Anantasvāmin"........ .
"Vaḍabhi (also valabhī, see above) is explained as meaning the wooden frame of a roof; a flat roof, house-top, top-room, turret, top-floor, balcony; any temporary erection on the top of a palace; an awning, a tent; but it seems to refer to a building here, and to denote a flat-roofed temple."
(Gadhwa stone Inscrip. line 2, C. I. I. vol. III. F. G. I. no. 66, p. 268, note 9).

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(10) "Whose arms like jewelled pillars supporting the roof (valabhī) of the three worlds."

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(Ep. Carnat. vol. v. part I, Channarayapatna Taluq. no. 179, line 2, Roman text, p. 462, Transl. p. 202).

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VALAYA—An ornament, a type of building, a moulding.

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(1) A bracelet (M. XLIX. 138, L. 33, etc., see Bhūshaṇa).

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A class of round buildings :

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(2) Agni-Purāṇa (chap. 104, v. 12-18, see under Prāsāda).

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(3) Garuḍa-Purāṇa (chap. 47. v. 21, 23, 28, 29, see under Prāsāda).

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(4) The sixth moulding from the top of an entablature (Kāmikāgama, LIV. 9, see under Prastara).

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(5) Bracelet (Deopara Inscrip. of Vijayasen, v. 11, Ep. Ind. vol. I. pp. 303, 313).

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VALLĪ—(cf. Vātāyana)—A type of window.

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(M. XXXIII. 483, see under Vātāyana).

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VASATI—(see Basadi)—A residence, a shrine, a Jain monastery or temple.

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(Jaina Rock Inscrip. at Vallimalai, no. A, v. 2, Ep. Ind. vol. IV. p. 141, note 7, and refer to Mr. Kittel's Dictionary, p. 1383).

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VASUDHĀ—The earth, a kind of pent roof.

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(M. XVIII. 178, see under Lupā).

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VASTRA-NIP(Y)A—A jar-shaped ornament of the column.

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Kumbha-madhye rakta(ratna)-bandhaṁ vastra-nip(y)aṁ cha vinyaset।
(M. xv. 223).

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VA(VĀ)HA-(KA, LA)—Bearing, carrying, supporting, a way, a road, a vehicle, a conveyance, a river, a channel.

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(1) "Given the village with . . . . . its hills and water-courses (vāhalā)."
(Plate of Deva Varmadeva, line 8 f., Ind. Ant. vol. XVI. pp. 206, 207, note 33).
(2) "Vāhaka—a water channel in the Gwalior inscrip. of Saṁvat 933; Hultzsch in J. D. Morg Ges. vol. XL. p. 37; (bāhā, a water course, Elliot, Suppl. Glossary, vol. II. p. 225; Grierson, Bihar pesant life, ss. 954)."
(3) V(b)allāla-devakasya vahaḥ।
"Water-channel constructed by Ballaladeva."
(Lala-Pahaḍ Rock Inscrip. of Narasiṁhadeva, line 6, Ind. Ant. vol. XVIII. pp. 212, 213, note 2).

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VĀHANA—(see under Stambha)—Conveying, carrying, supporting, flowing, a boat, a raft, a conveyance, a part of a column.

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Stambhaṁ vibhajya navadhā vahanāṁ bhāgo ghato'sya bhāgo' nyaḥ।
(Bṛihat-saṁhitā. LIII. 29, J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. p. 285).

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VAṀŚA—'A bamboo, a shaft, a flute, a reed-pipe, a cross-beam, a joint, the backbone, a term for the rafters and laths fastened to the beams of a house (as generally made of split bamboos). or laths running across a roof.'

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(1) Bhojanaṁ nāuuvaṁśaṁ syāch chhayanaṁ cha tathaiva cha ।
Anuvaṁśa-gṛiha-dvāraṁ naiva kāryaṁ śubhārthibhiḥ ॥
Dvija-gehasya vaṁśaṁ tu pūrvāgraṁ parikalpayet ॥
Yāmyāgraṁ kshatriyāṇāṁ tu paśchimāgraṁ viśāṁ bhavet ।
Śūdrāṇāṁ uttarasyāṁ syād esha vaṁśāgrako vidhiḥ ॥
(Kāmikāgama, XXXV. 147, 149, 150).
Prāg-vaṁśayor anya-vaṁśaiś cha nālikera-dalādibhiḥ ।
Āchchhāditāḥ prapā nāma prastaraṁ chātra maṇḍapaḥ ॥
Vaṁśādir aṁśa-sahitā śikhara-stūpikānvitāḥ ।
Nāsikā-mukha-paṭṭāṁśā śāleti parikīrtitā ॥.
(Ibid. L. 88, 90).
Jayantī vaṁśakā jñeyā tulā-vad anumārgakam ॥
(Ibid. LIV. 15).
Daṇḍikā-vāra-saṁyuktaṁ shaṇ-netra-sama-vaṁśakam ।
Vaṁśopari gatāḥ śālās chatasro' shṭānanānvitāḥ ॥
(Ibid. XLII. 19).

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(2) The backbone (M. VII. 264, see also LXV. 158, LXVII. 82).

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In connection with the entablature :
Yathā-balaṁ yathā-bhāraṁ tathā vaṁśādi(ṁ) yojayet ।
(M. XVI. 198).
In connection with the pillar :
Kuṭya-vaṁśa-prati(r)-vaṁśaṁ tuṅgaṁ yat tu samaṁ bhavet ।
Tuṅgasyādhika-hīnaṁ ched dvi-paṅktiṁ nityaṁ āvahet ।
(M. XVII. 120-121).
In connection with the pavilion (maṇḍapa) :
Adhishṭhānaṁ vinā kuryāj janmādi-prastarāntakam ।
Athavā pāda-vaṁśaṁ cha saṁyuktaṁ tat prapāṅgakam ।
(M. XXXIV. 14-15).
Vaṁsa-mūlāgrayoḥ sarve karkarīkṛita-netrakam ।
(Ibid. 396).
In connection with the hall (śālā) :
Vaṁśa-mūlāgrayor vāsaṁ vaṁśa-mūlaika-vāsakam ।
(M. XXXV. 128).
Harmya-tara-vaśād dvāraṁ vaṁśādhishṭhāna-pāduke ।

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VAṀŚA-KĀNTA—A class of twelve-storeyed buildings once prevailng in Vaṁśa-(ka) (the capital of Kauśāmbī).

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Tad eva hāraṁ(-rā) tan-madhye chaika-bhāgena saushṭikam ।
Vaṁśa-kāntaṁ iti proktaṁ śeshaṁ pūrvavad ācharet ॥

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(M. xxx. 31-32, see also 28-30 under Kerala-kānta).

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VĀJANA—A square or rectangular moulding resembling a fillet, i.e., a small band which is placed between mouldings and as the uppermost member of a cornice.

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Ūrdhva-vājanam ekāṁśaṁ aṁśaṁ tat paṭṭikā bhavet ।

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(Vāstu-vidyā, ed. Śāstri, ix. 24). The moulding at the top and bottom of the entablature (Kāmikāgama. LIV. 1, see under Prastara). A crowning moulding of a column (Suprabhedāgama, XXXI. 108, see under Stambha). A moulding of the pedestal (M. XIII. 46, 51, etc., see the lists of mouldings under Upapīṭha). A crowning moulding of the base (M. XIV. 9, see the lists of mouldings under Adhishṭhāna). A moulding of dolā (swing, hammock):

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Vājane cha dvi-valayaṁ syād āyasena balābalam ।

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(M. L. 106).

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VĀJI-ŚĀLĀ—A horse-stable. (M. XL. 362, see under Śālā).

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VĀṬA—A road, a fence, an enclosure, a courtyard. Cf. Vāṭa-bhūmi (Kāmikāgama, XXI. 3). Corrupted to Bāḍa, "enclosure of a town or village, fence, wall, hedge." (Ind. Ant. vol. IV. p. 211, foot note under Kampaṇa).

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VĀṬAKA—A hamlet

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Tāmara-cheru-grāmo nāma ।
Chikhali-vāṭakena samam ekīkṛitya........ ।

v1.c6.s29.93

"The village named Tāmara-cheru combined with the Chikhali hamlet." (The Madras Museum Plates of Vajrahasta III, lines 43-44, Ep. Ind. vol. IX. pp. 98-95).

v1.c6.s29.94

VĀṬIKĀ—A small house, a garden-house, a pleasure-pavilion, an orchard.

v1.c6.s29.95

Vāme bhāge dakshiṇe vā nṛipāṇāṁ tredhā kāryā vāṭikā krīḍanārtham |
‘At the left or right side a three fold pavilion should be built for the sport of the kings.’
(Śilpa-śāstra-sāra-saṁgraha, IX. 29).

v1.c6.s29.96

Uttare saralais tālaiḥ śubhā syāt pushpa-vāṭikā |
(Matsya-Purāṇa, chap. 270, v. 29).

v1.c6.s29.97

Bhaktyā vidhāpitaṁ chābhyāṁ āmrālohita-maṁdiraṁ (mā)tṛi-ha (rmye)ṇa (saṁyu)ktaṁ vāpyā vāṭikayāpi hi |
“Out of devotion he caused to be erected a temple of red colour and surrounded it with shrine of some mātā (? three shrines), a step-well and an orchard.”
(Dhanop Inscrip. of Chachcha, v. 6, Ind. Ant. vol. XL. pp. 175, 174).

v1.c6.s29.98

VĀTA—A type of building, a house with an eastern and southern hall.

v1.c6.s29.99

(Bṛihat-saṁhitā, LIII. 39, see under Prāsāda).

v1.c6.s29.100

VĀTA-KSHETRA—(see Vātāyana)—A place for airing, a roof.

v1.c6.s29.101

Kuṭumba-bhūmi-mānaṁ tu vāta-kshetra-vivarjitam |
(Kāmikāgama, XXI. 3).

v1.c6.s29.102

VĀṆA-LIṄGA—A kind of phallus.

v1.c6.s29.103

(Kāmikāgama, L. 35, 36, see under Liṅga).

v1.c6.s29.104

VĀTĀYANA—A window, a porch, a portico.

v1.c6.s29.105

(1) Description of windows (M. XXXIII. 568-597):

v1.c6.s29.106

Windows are constructed in all kinds of buildings (ibid. 569-572).

v1.c6.s29.107

The latticed windows are also prescribed:
Narāṇāṁ jālakaṁ sarvaṁ devānām api yogykam | (572).

v1.c6.s29.108

The measures, etc., are left to the discretion of the architects (573).

v1.c6.s29.109

The general plan of windows is also given (574-581).

v1.c6.s29.110

Their shapes are represented by the following: nāga-bandha (snake’s band), vallī (creeper), gavāksha (cow’s eye), kuñjarāksha (elephant’s or deer’st eye), svastika (a figure),

v1.c6.s29.111

sarvato-bhadra (a figure), nandyāvarta (a figure), and pushpabandha (flower-band) (ibid. 582-584).

v1.c6.s29.112

Their architectural details are given (585-600).

v1.c6.s29.113

(2) Udag-āśrayaṁ cha vāruṇyāṁ vātāyana-samanvitam ।

v1.c6.s29.114

(Garuḍa-Purāṇa, chap. 46, v. 16).

v1.c6.s29.115

(3) Prakāśārtham alpam ūrdhvaṁ vātāyanaṁ kārayet । Pratiloma-dvāra-vātāyana-bādhāyāṁ cha anyatra rāja-mārga-rathyābhyaḥ ।

v1.c6.s29.116

(Kauṭilīya-Arthaśāstra, chap. lxv. p. 167).

v1.c6.s29.117

VĀPI(-PĪ)-(KA)—A tank, a well, a reservoir of water.

v1.c6.s29.118

(1) A tank (Dewal Praśasti of Lalla the Chhinda, v. 20, Ep. Ind. vol. I. pp. 79, 83).

v1.c6.s29.119

(2) "A well with a flight of stairs, while Kūpa denotes an ordinary well."

v1.c6.s29.120

(Maheśvara's commentary on the Amarakoṣha, Ep. Ind. vol. VII. p. 46, note 2; p. 41, line 58).

v1.c6.s29.121

(3) Dakshiṇa-diśābhāge kārāpitā vāpī tathā prapeyaṁ cha । "In the southern part there has been made an irrigation-well and also a watering-trough."

v1.c6.s29.122

(Grant of Bhīmadeva II, V. S. 1266, line 26-27, Ind. Ant. vol. XVIII. pp. 113, 115).

v1.c6.s29.123

(4) Vāpī-puṭake bhūmi-hala-vāhā । "In the hollow ground below an irrigation-well."

v1.c6.s29.124

(Grant of Bhīmadeva II, Siṁha-saṁvat 93, line 7, Ind. Ant. vol. XVIII. p. 110).

v1.c6.s29.125

(5) "During the reign of Gaṇapati, the son of the prince Gopāla the ṭhakkura Vāmana built a public tank (vāpikā)."

v1.c6.s29.126

(Sarwaya stone Inscrip. of Gaṇapati of Nalapura, v. 23-28, Ind. Ant. vol. XXII. p. 82).

v1.c6.s29.127

(6) Dharmmārthe svayam eva vāpī kārāpitā । 'For charitable purpose the step-well was caused to be constructed at his own cost.'

v1.c6.s29.128

(Manglan stone Inscrip. line 6, Ind. Ant. vol. XLI. p. 87).

v1.c6.s29.129

VĀMA—A kind of phallus.

v1.c6.s29.130

VĀRA—A day of the week, a door, a gate, a formula of architectural measurement. (See details under Shaḍ-varga).

v1.c6.s29.131

VĀRA-(KA, ṆA)—A covering, an enclosure, a door, a gate.

v1.c6.s29.132

Kāmikāgama, XXX :
Alindasya samantāt tu bhāgenaikena vārakam ।
Pārśvayor ubhayoś chaiva chāgra-śālānusārataḥ ॥ 77

v1.c6.s29.133

Ibid. XXXV:
Etat sapta-talaṁ proktaṁ rājñāṁ āvāsa-yogyakam ॥ 84
Tad-adhastāt samantāt tu bhāgenaikena vārakam ॥ 85
Śālā-bhāge tu alinde vā pṛithu-vārāṁśake api ।
Vinyāsas tv-ishṭa ākhyāto maṇḍapa ukta-bhūmike ॥ 93
Vinīrgamasya chāyāmo tad-vṛiddhyā tasya vistaraḥ ।
Dvi-guṇānto vidheyaḥ syād evaṁ syān madhya-vāraṇam ॥ 102
Madhya-vāraṇa-yuktaṁ vā tad-vihīnaṁ tu vā dvijāḥ ।
Evambhūtasya vāsasya samantāt syāt khalūrikā ॥ 103

v1.c6.s29.134

Ibid. XLV :
Bahu varga-yutaṁ vāpi daṇḍikā-vāra-śobhitam ॥ 16
Parito vāraṁ ekāṁśaṁ śālā-vyāso dvi-bhāgataḥ ॥ 23
Bahir-vāra-samāyuktaṁ vyāsa-pārśva-dvayor api ॥ 26
Saṁślishṭa-vāra-saṁyuktaṁ shaṭsu chārdha-sabhā-mukham ॥ 28
Pūrvokta-sindukaṁ (= a building) vāra-vṛiksha-sthala-samanvitam ॥ 31
Agre cha pārśvayoś chaiva kuryād ekāṁśa-vārakam ॥ 38
Tad-bahir vāraṁ ekāṁśaṁ tad-bāhye tu vṛisha-sthalam ।
Tad-bahiś cha chatur-dikshu dvyamśāṁśaṁ vāra-nishkramaḥ ॥ 43

v1.c6.s29.135

See also verses 44, 45, 46, 55, 56, etc.

v1.c6.s29.136

Ibid. XLII :
Utkṛishṭe tu aṅkaṇaṁ dvyamśaṁ mārgas tu parito'mśataḥ ।
Antar-vāraṁ athaikena śālā-vyāso dvi-bhāgataḥ ॥ 23

v1.c6.s29.137

See M. IX. 300, 519; XXXIII. 383; XXXIV. 119, 190, 200, 394, 408, 514, 521, 526, 529; XXXV. 100, 120, 123, 238, 243, 265; XXXIX. 128, etc.

v1.c6.s29.138

VĀSANIKĀ—A dwelling for use in spring, a house for the spring festival.

v1.c6.s29.139

Tathā vaṇik-Mahallakena satkā vāsanikā pradattā—“by the Mahallaka the satka (?) hamlet (? house) was given.”
Paśchimataḥ ṭhakkura-kuṁḍaṇakasya vāsanikā maryādā—“to the west the boundary is the dwelling of the Brahman Kundaṇa.”

v1.c6.s29.140

(Shergaḍh stone Inscrip. lines 12, 13, 14, see also 9, 10, 11, Ind. Ant. vol. XL. p. 176).

v1.c6.s29.141

VĀSA-RAṄGA--(see Raṅga)—The open or closed quadrangular enclosure, the courtyard of a residential building.

v1.c6.s29.142

Purato’lindaṁ ekāṁśaṁ bhittiṁ kuryāt samantataḥ।
Mūlāgre dvi-dvi-bhāgena vāsa-raṅgaṁ cha kalpayet।
(M. xxxv. 118-119).

v1.c6.s29.143

VĀSTU—Architecture in the broadest sense implying the earth (dharā), building (harmya), conveyance (yāna), and bedstead (paryaṅka) (M. III. 2-3). The building or Harmya includes prāsāda, maṇḍapa, sabhā, śālā, prapā, and (a)raṅga. The conveyance or Yāna includes ādika, syandana, śibikā, and ratha. The bedstead or Paryaṅka includes pañjara, mañchalī, mañcha, kākāshṭa, phalakāsana, and bāla-paryaṅka (ibid. 7-12). The term denotes also villages, towns, forts, commercial cities, etc.

v1.c6.s29.144

Sculpture is the handmaid of architecture and is secondarily implied by the term Vāstu.

v1.c6.s29.145

(2) Nagarādika-vāstuṁ cha vakshye rājyādi-vṛiddhaye।
(Agni-Purāṇa, chap. 106, v. 1).
(3) Prāsādārāma-durga-devālaya-maṭhādi-vāstu-māna-lakshaṇa-nirūpaṇam।
(Garuḍa-Purāṇa, chap. 46, colophon).
Cf: Āvāsa-vāsa-veśmādau pure grāme vaṇik-pathe॥
Prāsādārāma-durgeshu devālaya-maṭheshu cha।

v1.c6.s29.146

(4) Saṁgraha-śiromaṇi by Sarayū Prasada (xx. 1) quotes from one Vasishṭha without further reference:

v1.c6.s29.147

Vāstu-jñānam pravakshyāmi yad uktam brahmaṇā purā ।
Grāma-sadma-purādīnāṁ nirmāṇaṁ vakshyate' dhunā ॥

v1.c6.s29.148

(5) Gṛihaṁ kshetraṁ ārāmas setu-bandhas taṭākam ādhāro vā vāstuḥ—Houses, fields, gardens, buildings of any kind (see Setu), lakes and tanks are each called Vāstu. (Kauṭilīya-Arthaśāstra, chap. LXV. p. 166).

v1.c6.s29.149

(6) The heavenly architect Viśvakarman, the mythical originator of Vāstu, is stated to be the father of nine artisans—goldsmith (svarṇa-kāra), blacksmith (karma-kāra), brazier or utensil-maker (kāṁsya-kāra), maker of shell-ornaments (śaṅkha-kāra), carpenter (sūtra-dhāra), potter (kumbha-kāra), weaver (kuvindaka), painter (chitra-kāra), and florist, gardener or garland-maker (mālā-kāra). (Brahmavaivarta-Purāṇa, Brahma-khaṇḍa, chap. 10, v. 19-12).

v1.c6.s29.150

(7) On the different branches of architecture Vitruvius agrees with the Mānasāra (1): It might be pointed out that Vitruvius deals with similar objects, in the same manner as in the Mānasāra. He describes the subject in three chapters: “ Of those things on which architecture depends.” “ Of the different branches of architecture.” “ Of the choice of healthy situations.” On the first of these topics Vitruvius says that “Architecture depends on fitness and arrangement; it also depends on proportion, uniformity, consistency and economy.” “Fitness is the adjustment of size of the several parts to their several uses and requires due regard to the general proportions of the fabric; it arises out of dimensions. Dimension regulates the general scale of the work, so that the parts may all tell and be effective.” ‘Proportion is that agreeable harmony between the several parts of a building, which is the result of a just and regular agreement of them with each other; the height to the width, this to the length, and each of these to the whole. Uniformity is the parity of the parts to one another; each corresponding to its opposite, as in the human figure. The arms, feet, hands, fingers are similar to and symmetrical with one another; so should the respective parts of a building correspond."

v1.c6.s29.151

"Arrangement is the disposition in their just and proper places of all the parts of the building and the pleasing effect of the same, keeping in view its appropriate character. It is divisible into three heads, which considered together, constitute design: these, by the Greeks, are named ideals: they are called ichnography, orthography, and scinography. The first is the representation on a plane of the groundplan of the work, drawn by rule and compasses. The second is the elevation of the front, slightly shadowed, and shewing the forms of the intended building. The last exhibits the front and a receding side properly shadowed, the lines being drawn to their proper vanishing points." (Book I, chap. II).

v1.c6.s29.152

"Architecture consists of three branches, namely, building, dialling and mechanics. Building is divided into two parts, (in the Mānasāra, buildings are divided into six classes as we have seen above). The first regulates the general plan of the walls of a city and its public buildings; the other relates to private buildings. Public buildings are for three purposes: defence, religion and the security of the public," (compare M. XXXI, 1-2 under *Prākāra*).

v1.c6.s29.153

(Ibid. Book I, chap. III).

v1.c6.s29.154

On the choice of healthy situation, that is, on the selection of site and the examination of soil, directions of Vitruvius are not so elaborate as those of the Mānasāra (see Bhūparīkshā), and differ so far as two different climates would necessarily require.

v1.c6.s29.155

"The choice of a healthy situation is of the first importance : it should be on high ground, neither subject to fogs nor rains ; its aspects should be neither violently hot nor intensely cold, but temperate in both respects. The neighbourhood of a marshy place must be avoided."
(Ibid. Book I, chap. iv).

v1.c6.s29.156

VĀSTU-KARMAN—(cf. Vāstu-vidyā)—The building-work; the actual work of constructing temples, palaces, houses, villages, towns, forts, tanks, canals, roads, bridges, gates, drains, moats, sewers, thrones, couches, bedsteads, conveyances, ornaments and dresses, images of gods and sages.

v1.c6.s29.157

The building-work (vāstu-karman) is distinguished from the science of building (vāstu-vidyā) :

v1.c6.s29.158

Vatthu-vijjā ghara-vatthu-ārama-vatthādīnaṁ guṇa-dosa-sallakkhana-vijjā | Vathu-kammanti akata-vatthumhi geha-patiṭṭhāpana |

v1.c6.s29.159

(Dīgha-nikāya, I. pp. 9, 12).

v1.c6.s29.160

Cf. Śukra-nīti (iv. 3. 115, 116, 169).

v1.c6.s29.161

See the Preface to this Dictionary.

v1.c6.s29.162

VĀSTU-KĪRTI—A type of pavilion, a pavilion with forty-four pillars. (Matsya-Purāṇa, chap. 270, v. 10, see Maṇḍapa).

v1.c6.s29.163

VĀSTU-VIDYĀ—(see Vāstu-karman)—The science dealing with the rules of construction of all kinds of architectural and sculptural objects, the science of architecture.

v1.c6.s29.164

According to Buddhaghosha's definition, Vāstu-vidyā is 'a science, the object of which is to ascertain whether a site selected for a building is lucky or not.'

v1.c6.s29.165

(Dialogues of Buddha, part I, p. 18).

v1.c6.s29.166

According to Sukrāchārya, Vāstu-vidyā or Śilpa-śāstra is 'the science which deals with the rules for the construction of palaces, images, parks, houses, canals and other good works.'

v1.c6.s29.167

(Śukra-nīti, iv. 3. 115-116).

v1.c6.s29.168

See the Harsha stone Inscrip. (v. 43, Ep. Ind. vol. II. pp. 123, 128).

v1.c6.s29.169

VĀHANA—Carrying, conveying, a vehicle, a conveyance, an animal for riding or draught. The riding animals of gods (M. LX. 1), their images are described (M. LX. 2-46 ; LXI. 2-151 ; LXII. 2-73 ; LXIII. 2-46), see under Haṁsa, Garuḍa, Vṛishabha, and Siṁha.

v1.c6.s29.170

VĀHINĪ-MUKHA—A fort, a fortified city. (M. X. 40, see under Nagara and Durga).

v1.c6.s29.171

VIKAṬA—Formidable, a hall, a courtyard. (Harsha stone Inscrip. v. 12, 33. Ep. Ind. vol. II. pp. 121, 126, notes 64, 123, 128).

v1.c6.s29.172

VIKALPA—A class of buildings, a kind of door, a type of chamber, a kind of phallus. A class of buildings (M. XI. 104-107 ; XIX. 1-5 ; XXX. 175-177 ; XXXIV. 549-552, see under Ābhāsa). A type of door (M. XXXIX. 28-35, see under Ābhāsa). A kind of phallus (M. LII. 49, see under Ābhāsa). Karṇe śālā sabhā madhye chhandaṁ syāch chhandaṁ eva tat | Tat-tad-madhyāṁśake koshṭhe yasya syāt tad vikalpakam || (Kāmikāgama, XLV. 20, see also XLV. 7, L. 13). A class of top-chambers (Kāmikāgama, LV. 130, 123-127).

v1.c6.s29.173

VIGRAHA—An idol, an image, a figure, a form, a shape. (M. LIV. 180, etc). Dakshiṇa-bhāgada-kisāleyalli purātana-vigrahagaḷa pratishṭheyam—“set up on the colonnade to the south the ancient images.” (Ep. Carnat. vol. IV. Chāmarājnagar Taluq, no. 86, Roman text, p. 18, line 13, Transl. p. 11).

v1.c6.s29.174

VIJAYA—A class of storeyed buildings, a type of pavilion and hall, a kind of throne. A class of two-storeyed buildings (M. XX. 93, 10-15, see under Prāsāda). A class of pavilions (M. XXXIV. 153, see under Maṇḍapa). A type of throne (M. XLV. 6, see under Siṁhāsana) A pavilion with forty-six pillars :

v1.c6.s29.175

A class of octagonal buildings :

v1.c6.s29.176

(2) Garuḍa-Purāṇa (chap. 47, v. 21, 23, 31-32, see under Prāsāda) A type of building (Kāmikāgama, XLV. 50, see under Mālikā).

v1.c6.s29.177

VIṬAṄKA—(see Kapota-pālikā)—A dovecot, a moulding of that shape.

v1.c6.s29.178

“ Viṭaṅka is exactly the English ‘fillet’ in its different acceptations; it denotes more generally also gable-edge, battlement.” Kern.

v1.c6.s29.179

(J. R. A. S., N. S., vol. VI. pp. 321, 320, note 2). See further references under Kapota and Kapota-pālikā.

v1.c6.s29.180

VITASTI—(see under Aṅgula)—A measure, the span, the distance between the tips of the fully stretched thumb and the little finger.

v1.c6.s29.181

(1) Kanishṭhayā vitastis tu dvā-daśāṅgula uchyate |

v1.c6.s29.182

(Brahmāṇḍa-Purāṇa, part I, 2nd anushaṁga-pāda, chap. 7, v. 98).
(2) Three kinds of span (Suprabhedāgama, XXX. 20-23, see under Aṅgula).

v1.c6.s29.183

VITĀNA-(KA)—A cushion, a canopy. A canopy of pearls (Ranganath Inscrip. of Sundarapandya, v. 12, Ep. Ind. vol. III. pp. 12, 15). Cf : ‘Toraṇa-vitāna—canopy (in the shape) of an arch.’ (Cochin plates of Bhaskara Ravivarman, lines, 10-11, Ep. Ind. vol. III. pp. 68, 69).

v1.c6.s29.184

VIDYĀDHARA—A class of demi-gods, a kind of fairy. Their images are measured according to the nine tāla (see details under Tāla-māna). (M. LVIII. 6, other details : 7-14).

v1.c6.s29.185

VIDHĀNA—An entablature. (M. XVI. 20, 43, 203, see under Prastara).

v1.c6.s29.186

VINIYOGA-MAṆḌAPA—A refectory, a type of pavilion built in the third, fourth or fifth court of the compound of a temple, where refections or meals are prepared.

v1.c6.s29.187

VIPULĀṄKA—A type of storeyed building, a class of six-storeyed buildings.

v1.c6.s29.188

VIPULĀKṚITIKA—A type of storeyed building, a class of six-storeyed buildings. (M. XXIV. 52, see under Prāsāda).

v1.c6.s29.189

VIPRA-KĀNTA—A ground-plan in which the whole area is divided into 729 equal squares. (M. VIII. 39-40, see under Pada-vinyāsa).

v1.c6.s29.190

VIPRA-GARBHA—A ground-plan in which the whole area is divided into 576 equal squares. (M. VII. 33-34, see under Pada-vinyāsa).

v1.c6.s29.191

VIPRA-BHAKTI—A ground-plan in which the whole area is divided into 841 equal squares. (M. VII. 43-44, see under Pada-vinyāsa).

v1.c6.s29.192

VIMĀNA—Etymologically implies an object measured (from root mā) or prepared or made in various ways, a conveyance, a baloon, a heavenly car, a temple, buildings in general, the palace of an emperor, a tower surmounting the sanctuary (garbha-gṛiha) which is made in the centre of the temple. “A car or chariot (of the gods) sometimes serving as seat or throne, sometimes self-moving and carrying its occupants through the skies; other descriptions make the Vimāna more like a house or palace and one kind is said to be seven stories high; that of Rāvaṇa was called Pushpaka-(vimāna); any car or vehicle; a horse; a palace, the palace of an emperor or supreme monarch.” Cf. Rajato-vimānaṁ sapta-chakraṁ rathaṁ | (Pet. dict.).
(1) Mānasāra (chap. XVIII., named Vimāna, 1-422) : Vimānas are buildings of one to twelve storeys and are used as residences of gods and men, i.e., the term implies both temples and residential buildings : Taitilānāṁ dvi-jātīnāṁ varṇānāṁ vāsa-yogyakam | Eka-bhūmi-vimānādi ravi-bhūmy-avasānakam |

v1.c6.s29.193

That the term 'Vimāna' implies not temples alone but buildings in general, is clear from the expression ‘vimāna-veśman’, ‘vimāna-sadman’, ‘deva-vimāna’ (god's buildings), etc., which are frequently mentioned (e. g., M. XII. 214).

v1.c6.s29.194

Further, the general features of all kinds of buildings are described in the chapter (XVIII) which is named Vimāna :

v1.c6.s29.195

The general comparative measures of different storeys are given (ibid. 12-91).

v1.c6.s29.196

The three styles, namely, Nāgara, Drāviḍa and Vesara, are described (92-113).

v1.c6.s29.197

These styles are distinguished generally by the shapes of the stūpis (domes), which are next described (114-171).

v1.c6.s29.198

A special account of the lupās (pent-roofs) which are apparently very characteristic features of all buildings is given (171-278).

v1.c6.s29.199

Mukha-bhadras (front porticoes or tabernacles) are also characteritsic features of all buildings, large or small, and they are described in detail (279 f).

v1.c6.s29.200

Spires (stūpi-kīlas) are also described (144-171, 354-417).

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