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.s7.36

v6.c40.s7.36

Thus the *Rig-veda* (VII, 55, 8) refers to ‘married women occupying their commodious *talpas*, the new (and prospective) brides on the fashionable *vahyas*, other single women of the household on the broad *proshṭhas*, and a maiden on a *śayana*, which, as well as *paryaṅka*, are stated to be the ordinary bedsteads or couches. The *talpa* is the nuptial bed whereupon alone a legitimate son (*tālpya*) could be born (*Sat. Brā.*, XIII, 1, 6, 2). Its sanctity is further increased as it was reserved for the preceptor (cf. *Guru-talpa*. *Chhand. Upanishad*, V, 10, 9). *Vahya*, that which can be easily carried, is a lighter structure used specially in marriage ceremony of getting the bride and bridegroom lain on bed side by side (*A.-V.*, XIV, 2, 30), which ceremony may also be performed upon a humbler settee (*āsandi*). Upon it a weary bride mounts (*A.-V.*, IV, 20, 3), and women generally sleep’ (*R.-V.*, VII, 55, 8; *A.-V.*, IV, 5, 3). Thus it must be more than a mere litter or canopied sedan-chair. It must have been a regular bed spacious enough for two, 'bearing all forms' and of carved wood-work, furnished with a gold-embroidered coverlet (*rukma-prastaraṇa*). It formed a part of the principal dowry. The *proshṭhas* look like a 'combination of a settee and a coffer' and were also used as long benches and couches or beds, which were also sent as dowry along with the bride to her husband's home. They could also be fixed against the walls and furnished with turned legs. The term *proshṭha-pāda* as a proper name (arm-chaired or stretched-legged gentleman) may indicate it as an easy chair with provision for stretching the two legs. The *śayana*, or ordinary bedsteads, were also meant for 'a beloved woman or maiden' (*A.-V.*, III, 25, 1) who 'felt pain (*tuda*) of the silken coverlet' (because of the absence of a male companion). Purūravas and Urvaśī slept on such a soft couch (*Śat. Brā.*, XI, 5, 1, 2) and a Vedic student could also sleep on it (*A.-V.*, V, 29, 8).