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.t6.7

v6.c40.s12.t6.7

'The depth of the excavation (*lit.* foundation-cave) should be as high as the basement of the building; the four sides (*lit.* corners or walls), made of brick or stone, should be equal; from its bottom should be removed water (if there comes out any), and all (kinds of) earth should be deposited therein. The floor of the excavation should be consolidated with seven kinds of earth, namely, from rivers and mountains, from ant-hills, crab-holes, sea-shores, from tops of trees (hills), and from near a cow-shed (*lit.* from the foreparts of cows' hoofs). Upon this (earth deposit) should be (further) deposited the root of the (white) lotus at the central part (of the excavation), to the east the root of the blue lotus, to the south the root of the water-lily, to the west *saugandhi* (grass), and to the north the *kākalī* (guñja) plant. Upon this should be placed, in order, the following eight sorts of corn : *śāli* (corn) should be placed to the north-east and *vrīhi* (grains) to the east, *kodrava* (*Paspalum scorbiculatum*) to the south-east, *kaṅgu* (panic seed) to the south, *mudga* (*phaseolus mungo*) to the south-west, *māsha* (bean, *phaseolus raditus*) to the west, *kulattha* (*dolichos uniflorous*) to the north-west and *tila* (*sesamum indicum*) to the north. Upon this (finally depositing the other usual materials, e.g. concrete) the foundation should be raised up to the (upper) surface of the excavation.