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.s30: Chapter XLIII: Cars and Chariots (Ratha-lakshaṇa-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.s30
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Chapter XLIII: Cars and Chariots (Ratha-lakshaṇa-vidhāna)
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Cars and chariots are constructed for the ceremonial and ordinary use of gods, Brāhmaṇas and kings, as well as for war and other purposes. The wheels and other parts of cars, their shapes, their measurements, their ornamentations and mouldings are described in order.
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The chapter begins with a minute description of the wheel, the most important part of the car. It is always circular, and is furnished with a strong tyre of similar shape. All its parts, together with their measurements, are described in detail—the *kukshi* (navel, *lit.* belly), *aksha* (axle), *śikhā* or *danta* (axle-band), *chhidra* (hole) and the *kīla* (axle-bolt, linch-pin), etc. Particular trees yielding timber for the wheel are enumerated. On a double support (called *ādhāra* and *upādhāra*), which rests on the axles, is raised a lofty structure which is provided with balconies (*bhadra*) and profusely decorated. It may have as many as nine storeys, the height of each upper storey being smaller than that of the one just preceding. The exact proportion is not given.
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The forms of cars are next discussed. With regard to their shapes, cars are divided into seven classes—*nabhasvān-bhadraka*, *prabhañjanab-hadraka*, *nivāta-bhadraka*, *pavana-bhadraka*, *pṛishada-bhadraka*, *indraka* (or *chandruka*)-*bhadraka*, and *anila-bhadraka*. The first of these is square, the second hexagonal, the third should have two *bhadras*, and the fourth, three *bhadras*; the fifth and the sixth should have ten *bhadras*, and the last one should be furnished with twelve *bhadras*.
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The description of the different shapes of cars is rather confusing. According to another classification given here the square cars are called *nāgara*, the octagonal ones *drāviḍa*, the circular ones *vesara*, the hexagonal ones *andhra* (*randhra* ? ), and the oval ones *kāliṅga*.
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These cars, in accordance with the different purposes referred to above, have various kinds of wheels and other members. Thus a fighting car has three wheels, the car for mock fighting has four wheels, one for ordinary festivals (*nityotsava*) has five wheels, one for special festivals (*mahotsava*) may have six, seven, eight, nine or ten wheels. In the same manner the number of *vedis* (platforms) varies according to the special purpose for which a car is to be used.
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Thus it is stated that the chariot of the universal monarch (*sārvabhauma*), should have one to nine *vedikās*, that of the *mahārāja* one to seven *vedikās*, that of the *narendra* one to five *vedikās*, and so forth. The cars of Vishṇu and Śiva should consist of one to nine *vedikās*, those of Buddhist and Jain deities one to seven *vedikās*, and in the case of other gods the number should be four, or one to five.
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These cars should be decorated with peacock's feathers, chowries, arches (*toraṇa*), little bells, bright mirrors, fans and garlands. There should also be carved images of various deities, particularly on the upper part of the structure, while the basement is adorned with representations of lions, elephants and crocodiles (*hari-kari-makara-rūpaiḥ*), with foliated ornamentation and with figures of dancers (*nāṭaka*), *bhūtas* and *yakshas*.