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.s4: Chapter VI: The Gnomon (Śaṅku-sthāpana-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.s4
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Chapter VI: The Gnomon (Śaṅku-sthāpana-vidhāna)
v2.c14.s4.2
The object of this chapter is to lay down rules on the principles of dialling and for ascertaining the cardinal points by means of a gnomon.
v2.c14.s4.3
The gnomon is made of the wood of certain trees. It may be 24, 18, or 12 *aṅgulas* in length, and the width at the base should be respectively 6, 5, and 4 *aṅgulas*. It tapers from the bottom towards the top.
v2.c14.s4.4
For the purpose of ascertaining the cardinal points, a gnomon of 12, 18, or 24 *aṅgulas* is erected from the centre of a watered place (*salila-sthala*) and a circle is described with the bottom of the gnomon as its centre and with a radius twice its length. Two points are marked where the shadow (of the gnomon) after and before noon meets the circumference of the circle. The line joining these two points is the east-west line. From each of these east and west points a circle is drawn with their distance as radius The two intersecting points, which are called the head and tail of the fish (*timi*), are the north and the south points. The intermediate regions are found in the same way through the fish formed between the points of the determined quarters.
v2.c14.s4.5
As regards the principles of dialling, each of the twelve months is divided into three parts of ten days each and the increase and decrease of shadow (*avachchhāya*)¹ are calculated for these several parts of the different months.
v2.c14.s4.6
¹ Cf. Vitruvius, Book IX. Chap. VIII, “....the principles of dialling and the increase and decrease of the *days* in the different months” (translated by Gwilt).
v2.c14.s4.7
Why the subject of the present chapter is important for architecture is evident from the rules regarding the orientation of buildings. Here it is said that a building should preferably face the east or the north-east, but that it should never be made to face the south-east, as this is considered inauspicious.
v2.c14.s4.8
The chapter closes with a passing reference to the *khāta-śaṅku* which appears to denote wooden stakes posted in different parts of the foundations made for constructing buildings thereon.
Linked texts (1)
- De architectura — Vitruvius Pollio, Latin