The Hindu Temple v1.c9.s5.20

v1.c9.s5.20

A lesser module however is used for the ‘accessory parts’ (aṅga). Aṅgas are, for example, the mouldings of the socle, the Adhiṣṭhāna. Their recesses (praveśa) and projections (nirgama) are measured by Daṇḍa (or rod; ‘Vaikhānasāgama’, VI. ; see also Part I. p. 10). This injunction, recorded about the 8th century, is repeated in the ‘Īśānaśivagurudevapaddhati’, IV. ch. XXXI. 36 (quoting Parāśara) of the 9th-11th century and in the ‘Śilparatna’, XXI. 46, of the late 16th century. There it is said “all Aṅgas of the Vimānas are measured by Daṇḍa. The width (vipula) of the wall pillar (kuḍya-stambha) at the top is called Daṇḍa”. Later texts, it is shown below, apply the Daṇḍa measurement to pillars without any qualification or to the wall pillar (kuḍya stambha) or pilaster only.