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.s40.2

v2.c14.s40.2

It has been pointed out in the previous chapter that the *pīṭha*² forms the *yoni* or the lower part of the phallus. The *pīṭha* must match the phallus of which it forms the lower member. There must, consequently, be as many kinds of *pīṭhas* as there are of the phalli. But the mouldings of the *pīṭha* are described under four classes, technically called, *bhadra-pīṭha*, *śrībhadra*, *śrīviśāla*, and *upapīṭha*. The principal parts of the *pīṭha* are the *nāla* (*lit.* canal), the *jala-dhārā* (*lit.* drain), the *ghṛita-vāri*, the *nimna*, and the *paṭṭikā*. These are, it may be observed, the various parts of which an ordinary *yoni* (female organ) is formed. The name of the principal mouldings are the following: *prathama* or *janman*, *padma*, *kshepaṇa*, *kandhara*, *kampa*, *ūrdhva-padma*, *vājana*, *ghṛita-vāri*, and *vṛitta-kumbha*.