The Hindu Temple v1.c6.s5.43

v1.c6.s5.43

⁸⁹ In a peripheral sense, Ananta or Śeṣa, is the Vāstunāga, the "serpent of the site", who moves around every building site. In this concept, the movement of the Vāstunāga is associated with that of the Vāstupuruṣa, as Caravāstu or movable Vāstu; underlying buildings, etc., which are used for temporary purposes, such as serve in the performance of a definite rite, or for the houses of men. For such purposes, time as movement encompasses the extent of the Vāstupuruṣa and makes him revolve along with it. ('Vāstuvidyā', VII. 2-6; and 'Bhubana-pradīpa', IV-XII, transl. by N. K. Basu, in 'Canons of Orissan Architecture'). In the latter work it is enjoined that the body of the snake being divided into 8 (or 9) equal parts, head, heart, stomach, navel, knee, chin, ankle and tail, the foundation stone should be placed at the heart or stomach; the door also is to be placed at the heart or stomach of the serpent.