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) v2.c14.s1: Chapter I: The Table of Contents (Saṁgraha)
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) v2.c14.s1
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Chapter I: The Table of Contents (Saṁgraha)
v2.c14.s1.2
The first verse is an invocation to Brahmā, the Creator of the Universe. In the second verse it is stated that the science of architecture (Vāstu-śāstra) had come down from Śiva, Brahmā and Vishṇu, through Indra, Bṛihaspati, Nārada and all other sages, to the seer (ṛishi) Mānasāra who systematised it.
v2.c14.s1.3
After this genesis titles of the chapters are given in order. The colophon of the last chapter (named *Nayanonmīlana*) in all the complete manuscripts gives the number of the chapter as seventy-one. The manuscript called I, the *codex archetypus* of my text, has made up the number seventy-one by repeating the chapter *Strīmāna-madhyama-daśatāla*; in one place it is numbered 66 and in the second 67. The only explanation of this number 71 for the last chapter is to suppose that the copyists of all complete and independent manuscripts were equally careless in numbering the chapters. This supposition is corroborated by the fact that the contents of the work do not show that any chapter is missing.
v2.c14.s1.4
The last verse of the first chapter states the reason why the book is named *Mānasāra*, and explains the importance and authority of the work. It is called *Mānasāra* after a sage of that name. And as an authoritative work on art and complete in all respects, it has been accepted by the best among the leading artists.
Linked texts (1)
- Mānasāra — Sanskrit