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.s5: Chapter VII: The Ground-Plan (Pada-vinyāsa)
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.s5
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Chapter VII: The Ground-Plan (Pada-vinyāsa)
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When a site is selected for constructing a village, town or building thereon the ground is divided into different numbers of squares Thirty-two kinds of such schemes are distinguished by as many different names according to the number of squares into which the whole area is partitioned out. The whole scheme has been arranged in such a manner that in each case the number of partitions represents the square of the serial number. The eighth plot, for instance, which is called Chaṇḍita, comprises a division into sixty-four squares, while by the ninth plot, which bears the technical name of Paramaśādhika, the ground is divided into eighty-one squares.
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Each of these squares is assigned to its presiding deity. Some deities, however, are lords of more than one square. The lord of the central square is always Brahmā. Charagī, Vidārikā, Pūtanā and Rākshasī are the presiding deities of the four corners. A detailed description of all the squares of the eighth and the ninth plans is given in the text. Then the forty-four deities, who are enumerated in connection with the Paramaśādhika scheme, are described in the form of as many *dhyānas*. This portion is of some iconographical interest.
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Finally, the presiding deity of the site (*vāstu-purusha*), who is described as hump-backed and of crooked-shape, is said to occupy the habitated area (*vāstu*) in such a manner that his limbs cover the several squares or groups of squares which, as set forth in the former part of the chapter, are assigned to and named after various deities. As he is supposed to lie down with his face turned downward, his head being in the central square on the east side (assigned to Sūrya), his right and left hands must be in the partitions of Agni (S. E.) and Īsāna (N. E ) respectively, and his right and left feet in those of Nairṛit (S. W.) and Vāyu (N. W.) respectively. The middle part of his body occupies the central portion of the plot, which, as we saw, is assigned to Brahmā.