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.s20: 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) v6.c40.s20
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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 *sāyujya*.²
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² The *sālokyādi-chatushṭaya* 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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INTERIOR VIEW OF RĀMĒŚVARAM TEMPLE SHOWING CORRIDOR, CEILING AND SUPPORTING IMAGES
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VAJRĀSANA AT BODHGAYA
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*Sālokya* is the result of devotion (*bhakti*), knowledge (*jñāna*), and renunciation (*vairāgya*). Knowledge combined with renunciation leads to *sāmīpya*. *Sārūpya* is produced in the worshipper by meditation alone, and *sāyujya* is attained by the true knowledge (of God).
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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 *sāyujya* 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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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.