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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) v6.c40.s12.t10: Chapters XX—XXX: Buildings of Two to Twelve Storeys

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) v6.c40.s12.t10

Language
English

Chapters XX—XXX: Buildings of Two to Twelve Storeys

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The contents of these eleven chapters of the *Mānasāra* may be conveniently summarized together. They deal respectively with two-storeyed (*dvi-tala*), three-storeyed (*tri-tala*), four-storeyed (*chatus-tala*), five-storeyed (*pañcha-tala*), six-storeyed (*shaṭ-tala*), seven-storeyed (*sapta-tala*), eight-storeyed (*ashṭa-tala*), nine-storeyed (*nava-tala*), ten-storeyed (*daśa-tala*), eleven-storeyed (*ekādaśa-tala*), and twelve-storeyed (*dvādaśa-tala*) buildings. In each of these chapters we find a classification of the peculiar kind of edifice under discussion followed by an account of certain details, in particular the location of the divine images with which the walls are decorated. Thus the buildings of two storeys are divided into eight classes which are called *śrīkara*, *vijaya*, *siddha*, *paushṭika*, *kāntaka*, *adbhuta* (also *prabhūtaka*), *svastika*, and *pushkala*. Those of three storeys are likewise divided into eight classes, called *śrīkānta*, *āsana*, *sukhālaya*, *keśara*, *kamalāṅga*, *brahma-kānta*, *merukānta*, and *kailāśa*. The same eight-fold division is found in connexion with the four-storeyed buildings; here the names are *vishṇu-kānta*, *chatur-mukha*, *sadā-śiva*, *rudra-kānta*, *īśvara-kānta*, *mañcha-kānta*, *vedi-kānta*, and *indra-kānta*. The eight classes of the five-storeyed buildings are called *airāvata*, *bhūta-kānta*, *viśva-kānta*, *mūrti-kānta*, *yama-kānta*, *gṛiha-kānta*, *yajña-kānta* and *brahma-kānta*. In the case of the buildings of six storeys there are no less than thirteen classes, the technical names of which are *padma-kānta*, *kāntāra*, *sundara*, *upakānta*, *kamala* or *kamalāksha*, *ratna-kānta*, *vipulāṅka*, *jyotish-kānta*, *saroruha*, *vipulākṛiti*, *svasti-kānta*, *nandyāvarta*, and *ikshu-kānta*. The seven-storeyed buildings are divided into eight kinds—*puṇḍarīka*, *śrīkānta*, *śrībhoga*, *dhāraṇa*, *pañjara*, *āśramāgāra*, *harmya-kānta*, and *hima-kānta*. The eight classes of eight-storeyed buildings are called *bhū-kānta*, *bhūpa-kānta*, *svarga-kānta*, *mahākānta*, *jana-kānta*, *tapas-kānta*, *satya-kānta*, and *deva-kānta*. Those of nine storeys are divided into seven kinds—*saura-kānta*, *raurava*, *chaṇḍita*, *bhūshaṇa*, *vivṛita*, *supratikānta*, and *viśva-kānta*, of which the first four represent the small type of nine-storeyed buildings, the next two the intermediate type, and the last one the large type. The ten-storeyed buildings are divided into six classes, which are named *bhū-kānta*, *chandra-kānta*, *bhavana-kānta*, *antarīksha-kānta*, *megha-kānta*, and *abja-kānta*. Buildings of eleven storeys admit six varieties—*śambhu-kānta*, *īśa-kānta*, *chakra-kānta*, *yama-kānta*, *vajra-kānta* and *arka-kānta*. Finally, buildings of twelve storeys are divided into ten kinds—*pāñchāla*, *drāviḍa madhya-kānta*, *kāliṅga-kānta*, *virāṭa*, *kerala*, *vaṁśa-kānta*, *māgadha-kānta*, *janaka-kānta* and *sphūrjaka* (? *gurjara*). It deserves notice that in this instance the term by which the classes are designated are apparently geographical names.

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In Chapter XXX we find, moreover, an elaborate account of staircases (*sopāna*).

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THE COURT (*Prākāra-vidhāna*)

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The chapter begins with the announcement that five kinds of *prākāra* buildings will be described in connexion with *bali* (offerings), *parivāra* (attendant deities), *śobhā* (beauty), and *rakshaṇa* (defence). But the main object of the chapter is evidently to describe the various courts into which the whole compound is divided. The description of five such courts is given. The first or innermost court is called *antar-maṇḍala*. The second is known as *anta-hārā*, and the third as *madhya-hārā*. The fourth court is technically named *prākāra*. The fifth and last one is known as *mahāmaryādā* or the extreme boundary. As the title of the chapter indicates, the greater part of it describes only the fourth court. Here it may be briefly observed that this *prākāra* is also divided into the *jāti*, *chhanda*, *vikalpa*, *ābhāsa* and *kāmya* classes. Under each class a number of buildings (*śālā*) is exhaustively described. A further classification (*saṅkīrṇa*, etc.) is made with regard to the materials of which the *prākāra* buildings are made. These materials are the same as in other cases, namely, stone, brick, and timber.

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The shrines of the attendant deities (*parivāra-vimāna*) and the gatehouses (*gopuras*) are very briefly described in conclusion, the next two chapters being entirely devoted to a special treatment of these two subjects.

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ŚRĪ KĀŚĪ-VIŚVANĀTHA TEMPLE, RĀMEŚVARAM, TOGETHER WITH ITS COURTYARD, GOPURAM AND AUXILIARY BUILDINGS

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[Figure: WEST GOPU RAM.

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SCALE 84 FT = ONE INCH A. GANDHAMADANA OLD TEMPLE. B. GREAT GOPU RAM C. GOPU RAM AMMAN TEMPLE]

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The Attendant Deities (*Parivāra-vidhāna*)

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The temples of these deities are directed to be built round the *prākāra*. At the eight cardinal points of the innermost or the first court, the temples of a group of eight deities are built. Groups of sixteen and thirty-two deities are located in the second and the third courts respectively. Between the third and the fifth courts is said to be a special pavilion. After an elaborate description of the location of temples for each of the deities of the three groups, the attendant deities of Vishṇu are described in detail.

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With regard to the family of Vishṇu, it may be pointed out that it also includes the same three groups of eight, sixteen, and thirty-two deities. The second group relating to Vishṇu includes Buddha too. The well-known ten incarnations of Vishṇu, except the *Matsya* (fish) and the *Kūrma* (tortoise), are included in the third group.

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The temples of the Buddhists and Jains, it is expressly stated, should be constructed according to the rules of their own *Śāstras*.

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It should be noticed that the description of the temples intended for so many deities does not contain any measurements, etc. The text is solely occupied with the location of these temples or deities in the compound. But a considerable portion of the chapter is devoted to the description of *maṇḍapas* (pavilions) for such purposes as bathing, sleeping, assemblies, performances of musicians and dancing girls, and stabling of cows and horses.

Cites (3)