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.s3: Chapters III, IV, V: The Classification of Vāstu (Vāstu-prakaraṇa), Examination of Soil (Bhū-parīkṣhā) and Selection of Site (Bhūmi-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.s3
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Chapters III, IV, V: The Classification of Vāstu (Vāstu-prakaraṇa), Examination of Soil (Bhū-parīkṣhā) and Selection of Site (Bhūmi-saṁgraha)
v2.c14.s3.1
The classification of vāstu (*Vāstu-prakaraṇa*)
v2.c14.s3.3
The first part of the third chapter defines *vāstu* (dwelling or habitation) and divides it into four classes. The place where men and gods reside is called *vāstu*. This includes the ground (*dharā*), the building (*harmya*), the conveyance (*yāna*), and the couch (*paryanka*). Of these, the ground is the principal one, for nothing can be built without the ground as a support. The building (*harmya*) includes *prāsāda*, *maṇḍapa*, *sabhā*, *śālā*, *prapā* and *(a)raṅga*. The conveyance (*yāna*) includes *ādika*, *syandana*, *śibikā* and *ratha*. The couch (*paryaṅka*) includes *pañjara*, *mañchalī*, *mañcha*, *kākāshta*, *phalakāsana* and *bāla-paryanka*.
v2.c14.s3.4
The second part of the third chapter as well as the fourth and fifth chapters deal with the same subject, namely, the site, on which a village, town, fort, palace, temple, or house, is to be built. The soil is examined with regard to its contour, colour, odour, features (*rūpa*), taste and touch. The level of the ground as well as the characteristic vegetation of the site are also minutely examined.
v2.c14.s3.5
If a plot of land is found to be satisfactory on all or most of these points, it should be selected for a village, town, fort or house, as the case may be. But even after this selection it would be wise to test the ground in some other ways. A square hole of one cubit deep should be dug on the selected site and be filled with water. After twenty-four hours the chief architect should mark the condition of the water in the hole. If all the water be dried up by this time, the earth must be very bad. But if, on the other hand, there remains some water in the hole, the selected plot of land would be fit for any building purposes.
v2.c14.s3.6
Another final test is this: a similar hole is dug on the plot and filled up with the earth taken out of it. If this earth fills up the hole exactly, the land is fair; if this earth be not quite enough to fill up the hole the ground must be very bad, but if this earth overfills the hole, the soil must be very good for any building purposes. The import of both tests seems to be that in the former case porous soil is avoided, while in the latter case loose soil is said to be unfit for the construction of a building.
v2.c14.s3.7
After this final selection the ground should be ploughed over. The concluding part of the fifth chapter gives a minute description of the oxen and the plough to be used in ploughing the selected site.