Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.11

c4.11

The second work, entitled *Máyámata*, is ascribed to *Máya*,¹ probably the author or compiler of the *Súryasiddhánta*, a work on astronomy of the greatest repute, and who is stated in the *Rámáyana* of *Válmíc* to have prepared the altar for the sacrifice performed by *Dasáratha* the King of *Ayodhya* (Oude), and father of *Ráma*. It differs little from the *Mánasára* in the main arrangement of the subjects. It opens with the mystical rites performed in honour of the *Vástu*, or the spirit presiding over the ground on which buildings are erected, and proceeds to give rules for the examination of the soil, the preparation of it for buildings in general, the construction of a gnomon for the purpose of determining the cardinal points, the division of the ground-plan into several parts for religious as well as domestic purposes, and the performance of sacrifices previous to the commencement of the work; after which it describes the several sorts of villages, cities, and fortresses, *upapíthas* or pedestals, the *adhisthánas* or bases, the *pádas* or pillars, the *prastaras* or entablatures, the ornaments used in cavettos under the cupola, the seats raised for the reception of idols, the *sicharas* or the domes of temples, the ceremonies observed in laying the first and the last stone of an edifice, the several sorts of temples, the courts by which they are surrounded, the pyramidal gateways, the *mantapas* or porticoes, the altars to be raised in the front of temples, and concludes with instructions for the carving of images, &c.