The Hindu Temple v1.c5.s2.25

v1.c5.s2.25

The number of the Nakṣatras, the ‘stars’, is 27 or 28. The latter is the number of squares in the outer border of a Vāstumaṇḍala of 64 squares. The astronomically, unsubstantiated increase of their number to 32 appears motivated in two ways. It makes them identical in number and therefore in substance with the 32 Padadevatās; and this assigns to each divinity a full square in the marginal border of a Vāstumaṇḍala of 81 squares. Geometrically, the maṇḍala of 81 squares is a logical form of the proliferation of the 2, 4 and 8, directions; in a series they progress to 16, 32 and 64; in the ritual diagram of the architect, however, the 32 gods find each their unbroken place in the border of the square of 81 units whereas in the square of 64 units the squares in the corners have to be halved so that all the Padadevatās are accommodated in its border. These two varieties of the Vāstupuruṣamaṇḍala, the one of 64, the other of 81 squares are its two main types that underlie sacred architecture.