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.s10: Chapter XII: The Foundation (Garbhanyāsa-vidhāna)
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.s10
- Language
- English
Chapter XII: The Foundation (Garbhanyāsa-vidhāna)
v2.c14.s10.2
The foundation is classified under three heads, namely, for buildings, for villages, etc., and for tanks, etc. The last named foundation is meant for a cistern, well or tank (*vāpī-kūpa-taṭāka*), etc.
v2.c14.s10.3
The depth of the excavation (*garbha-bhājana*) in case of a village, a town or a fort (*grāma*, *nagara*, *pura*, *pattana*, *kharvaṭa*, *koshṭha*, *kola*, etc.) is stated to be of five kinds, and varies in accordance with the size of the construction. Similarly for a building or a well suitable depth of the excavation is prescribed.
v2.c14.s10.4
The foundation of buildings is further divided into two classes as it may belong to temples or to human dwellings. Of temples, those of Vishṇu and Brahmā are dealt with, and the others are said to be like these.
v2.c14.s10.5
For human dwellings there are four classes of foundations according to the caste of the occupier, Brāhmaṇa, Kshatriya, Vaiśya or Śūdra. In the laying of a foundation ritualistic prescriptions play a prominent part, the actual process apparently being the same in all cases.
v2.c14.s10.6
The depth of the excavation is equal to the height of the basement. The four corners and sides, built of brick or stone, are equal. The cavity is filled with water, and ten kinds of earth, such as earth taken from an anthill, from a crab-cave, etc., are placed at the bottom.
v2.c14.s10.7
Portions of certain plants are then deposited on the four sides: the root of the blue lotus (*utpala-kāṇḍa*) to the east, the root of the white lotus (*kumuda-kāṇḍa*) to the south, *saugandhi* (a kind of fragrant grass) to the north, and some other plant to the west. Above these are to be placed grains of ten kinds of cereals, to wit, *śāli* (rice) to the north-east, *vrīhi* (rice) to the east, *kodrava* (paspalum scrobiculatum) to the south-east, *kaṅgu* (panicum italicum) to the south, *mudga* (phaseolus mungo) to the south-west, *māsha* (phaseolus radiatus) to the west, *kulattha* (dolichos uniflorus) to the north-west and *tila* (sesamum indicum) to the north.
v2.c14.s10.8
The twelve kinds of breadth and length of the excavation to suit buildings of one to twelve storeys are respectively 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 *aṅgulas*; and 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 *aṅgulas*. And its height should be equal to the breadth. or less by ⅙ or ⅕ of the breadth.
v2.c14.s10.9
The concluding lines of this chapter deal with the measurement of bricks, with which buildings of one to twelve storeys are preferably built, and also with the ceremonies in connection with the laying of the foundation-stone (lit. first brick, *prathameshṭaka*). The breadth of a brick may be from 7 to 29 or 30 *aṅgulas*. The length is greater than the breadth by ¼, ½, or ¾; or is twice of the breadth. The thickness should be half of the breadth.