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) v7.c47.871

v7.c47.871

Six kinds of measurements are prescribed for an image: māna (full height of the image), pramāṇa (breadth), parimāṇa (width or circumference), lambamāna (length by the plumb-lines), unmāna (thickness) and upamāna (measurement of the interspace, e.g. between the two feet, *M.*, LV, 3–9, *see* under MĀNA). Of these, māna or height is stated to be compared with nine objects such as the adytum, door, basement, and the height of the worshipper, etc. (*ibid.*, lines 11–14, *see* under MĀNA). In each case, the height of the idol admits of nine kinds as it is made equal to nine successive parts of the object (*ibid.*, lines 15–33). When compared with the worshipper, it is equal to his full height, reaches his hair-limit (on the forehead), nose-tip, chin, arm-limit (to the shoulder), breast, heart, navel and sex-organ :