The Hindu Temple v1.c4.s2.35

v1.c4.s2.35

Vāstu-śāstra belongs to, and is, applied astrology. Varāhamihira, in his ‘Bṛhat-Saṃhitā’ introduces the chapter on architecture (LII) saying: “Vāstu-jñāna (the knowledge of Vāstu), architecture, will be explained by me for the pleasure of the astronomers and astrologers, as it has been transmitted from Brahmā to our days through an unbroken series of sages.” Building is begun under favourable stars. They are consulted when the ground is taken possession of and when the rite of depositing the Germ of the temple is performed. The regents of the planets and the stars have their allocation in the diagram of the temple and their images are carved on its walls. By them are regulated the measurement of the whole building and its parts; the life of the donor (yajamāna), and the age of the temple too. The temple is built in the likeness of the universe and is its reduced image. The architect of this world image, the temple, is looked upon as descended from, and in his sphere alike to, Viśvakarman, who made all that exists in the universe.¹⁹ The architect in charge of the building is therefore generally called Sthapati. The name means "master of what stands or abides". The science of architecture, called as a rule, Vāstu-śāstra, is also named Sthāpatya-śāstra-veda. It is the knowledge of ordered and planned extension (vāstu) and is put into practice by the master who makes existing things (vastu) abide in order. Sthāpatya-śāstra-veda is enumerated as an Upaveda, a lesser, applied knowledge subordinated to the Atharvaveda.²⁰ Vāstu-śāstra in its fullest exposition belongs to Tantra which is the applied knowledge of the Atharva Veda. As a ritual, architecture is moreover doubly linked with the primordial Knowledge, the Veda, and is included in two of the six Vedāṅgas. These are appendices which are auxiliary to the Veda. The fifth Vedāṅga, astronomy-astrology, Jyotiṣa, and the sixth Vedāṅga, Kalpa, in which are laid down the rules of the sacrificial acts, the ritual, are both, in parts, essential constituents of the science of Indian architecture.²¹ The Śulva-sūtras contained in the Kalpa-sūtras, represent the rules and give proportionate measurement for laying out and piling up the Vedic altar.²² On them, basically rests the building of the Hindu temple.