The Hindu Temple v1.c5.s5.5

v1.c5.s5.5

Altogether 32 types of maṇḍalas are given according to which all works of architecture are planned or regulated. These maṇḍalas form an arithmetic progressive series from 1 to 32; the respective numbers indicate the units into which the side of the square maṇḍala is divided in each case. The series of maṇḍalas corresponds to the geometrical method of gnomonic extension. In the Sārārathacakracit (p. 27), a square of 4 bricks is made in the centre of the sacrificial site (agnikṣetra). By gnomonic extension, the square is increased to one of nine bricks by adding five; this is increased to one of 16, etc. The bricks themselves are square, each measuring one foot (pada) generally (Ś.B. VIII. 7. 2. 17). So there are 8 bricks or squares facing each direction, in a square of 64 equal parts.