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.c16.186

v2.c16.186

In the *Mānasāra* there is a list of thirty-two authorities, namely, Viśvakarman, Viśveśa, Viśva-sāra, Prabodhaka, Vṛita, Maya, Tvashtar, Manu, Nala, Māna-vid, Māna-kalpa, Māna-sāra, Māna-bodha, Prashṭar, Viśva-bodha, Naya, Ādisāra, Viśāla, Viśva-kāśyapa, Vāstu-bodha, Mahātantra, Vāstu-vidyāpati, Pārāśarīyaka, Kāla-yūpa, Chaitya, Chitraka, Āvarya, Sādhakasāra-saṁhitā, Bhānu, Indra, Lokajña, and Saura. In the opening verse it is stated that the science of architecture has come down to the sage Mānasāra from Śiva, Brahmā and Vishṇu, through Indra, Bṛihaspati, Nārada and all other sages. In a mythical genealogy of the artists it is further stated that from the four faces of Brahmā originated the four heavenly architects, namely, Viśvakarman, Maya, Tvashṭar, and Manu. Their four sons, called respectively, Sthapati or the chief architect, Sūtra-grāhin or the designer, Vardhaki or the painter, and Takshaka or the carpenter, represent the guild of the modern architects.¹