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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.s46: Chapter LIX: Images of Devotees (Bhakta-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.s46

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Chapter LIX: Images of Devotees (Bhakta-lakshaṇa-vidhāna)

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Devotees are divided into four classes according to the four stages of holiness, and are called *sālokya*, *sāmīpya*, *sārūpya*, and *sayujya*.² *Sālokya* is the result of devotion (*bhakti*), knowledge (*jñāna*) and renunciation (*vairāgya*). Knowledge combined with renunciation leads to *sāmīpya*. *Sārupya* is produced in the worshipper by meditation alone, and *sāyujya* is attained by the true knowledge (of God).

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² The *sālokyādi-chatushtaya* is also mentioned in the *Bhāgavata-purāṇa*, IX, 4, 67. The literal meaning of the four terms in question is : dwelling in the same world (*viz.*, as the deity), dwelling in the vicinity (of the deity), being in conformity (with the deity), and being united (with the deity)

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The images of the *sālokya* class of worshippers are measured in the largest type of the *nava-tāla* system, in which the whole length is divided into 112(?) equal parts. Those of the *sāmīpya* class are measured in the smallest type of the *daśa-tāla* system, in which the whole length is divided into 116 equal parts. Those of the *sārūpya* class are measured in the intermediate type of the *daśa-tāla* system, in which the whole length is divided into 120 equal parts. And the figures of the *sārūpya* class are measured in the largest type of the *daśa-tāla* system, in which the whole length is divided into 124 equal parts.

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¹ It may be noticed that the body of the *kinnara* is a combination of the bodies of a man, an animal and a bird

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The first two systems, namely, the largest type of the *nava-tāla* and the smallest type of the *daśa-tāla*, are minutely described in this chapter. The other two systems, that is, the intermediate and the largest types of the *daśa-tāla*, are treated subsequently in two separate chapters.

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