Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.13

c4.13

The third work, entitled *Cásyapa*, is attributed to the sage whose name it bears, a personage celebrated in sacred writings of great antiquity. He is considered as one of the progenitors of mankind, and ranked the first amongst the seven holy men who were preserved from the universal deluge, and who peopled the earth soon after that great event. This treatise, though more succinct than the two former, contains sufficient information on the subject of sacred architecture and sculpture; the whole is composed in a dramatic form, and is stated in the preface to have been revealed to the author personally by *Siva*; and in consequence, the former is frequently addressed throughout the book by the appellation of *Dwijóttama*, "the best of the twice-born," and the like. The subjects contained in this work are nearly the same as those contained in the *Mánasára*, but the arrangement is somewhat different. It commences with the description of the several sorts of soil which are considered proper for buildings, and proceeds to the preparatory rites and sacrifices to be performed in honour of the *Vástupurusha*, or the spirit presiding over the ground appropriate for the erecting of temples and houses; thence to the mode of constructing a *sanc'hu* or gnomon for the purpose of ascertaining the points of the compass, and thence to the laying of the foundation-stone, and the ceremonies to be observed on this occasion. It afterwards describes the pedestals, the bases, the gates of the temples, and doorways of houses, pillars, capitals, and other ornaments; the seats raised on the pavements of temples, and niches for the reception of images; aqueducts or watercourses; the several sorts of *vimánás* or shrines with the pyramidal towers, consisting of from one to sixteen stories; the *tóranas* or ornamental arches erected over gateways and pillars; doors and their dimensions; statues of the gods, saints, and holy men, &c.