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.c41.s25.55

v6.c41.s25.55

the capital is of minor importance, because in many places of its employment it becomes mixed up with the entablature and loses its prominency, if not its identity, also. Of the free pillar, on the other hand, the captial is the most prominent part. No other part draws the attention of the visitor so much, the free pillar having no other purpose to serve except being showy. Therefore, apart from the consideration of stability, the proportion between its length and width and between its component parts, namely, the pedestal, base, shaft, and capital, has no significance. But these are the factors which count much in case of the regulating pillar, because, apart from aesthetic consideration, any error in the proportion and in the composition of several parts, will often prove injurious, not only to the pillar itself, but also destructive to the whole building. Consequently the regulating pillar can hardly be considered without taking into consideration the building which it regulates.