Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.s4: A Vimána Consisting of a Single Story
Essay on the Architecture of the Hindus c4.s4
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A Vimána Consisting of a Single Story
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(See Plate XXI.)
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The breadth of this *vimána*, which is measured between the two angular pillars, is divided into six parts: two are given to the *muc'hb'hadra* (or the
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[^asterisk]: \* An ornament made in the form of a bud. [^\dagger]: † Lotus, or cima recta.
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middle niche), and two to the space on each side of it. The height of *vimánas* is measured from the base to the apex, exclusive of the pedestal below, and is equal to one and a-half of its breadth. Let the whole height be divided into eight equal parts; give one to the *ad'hist'hána* (base), two to the *páda* (pillar), one to the *prastara* (entablature), one to the *gríva* (the neck of the dome), two to the *sic'hara* (cupola), and one to the *st'húpi* (pinnacle). The *ad'hist'hána* (base) is divisible into twenty-six parts. The height of the *gríva* being divided into three parts, one is given to the *véd'hica* or basement, one to the *gríva*,[^asterisk] and one to the *uttira* (entablature). The *sic'hara* (cupola) being divided into thirty-two parts, three to be given to the *lupa mula*,+ two to the *ad'hópadma* (the lower cima recta), one to the *málábadd'ha* (the fillet ornamented with a wreath), two to the *úrdd'hvapadma* (the upper cima), sixteen to the *sic'hara* (dome), one to the *málábadd'ha*, two to the *chandrahnila*,dagger five to the *mahápadma* (the great lotus). The breadth of the pavement being divided into six parts, one of which is diminished for the breadth of the *véd'hica* (or base) on the first story, which being divided into four parts, three of them are given to the breadth of the *gríva*. The projection of the pendents is equal to the breadth of the *véd'hica* below.
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+ † A sloping and projecting member of the entablature, representing a continued pent roof. It is made below the cupola, and its ends are placed as it were suspended from the architrave, and reaching the stalk of the lotus below.
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dagger ‡ A horizontal moulding over the *sic'hara* and below the base of the pinnacle.
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"The breadth of the *sic'hara* being divided into five parts, three are to be given to that of the *pattica*,\S which being divided into five parts, three and a-half are given to the breadth of the *padma* above, one-third of it to the
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\S § A round ornament at the bottom of the pinnacle.
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[^asterisk]: * *Gríva* is here used to signify that hollow space which supports an entablature under the cupola, though the term is generally applied to denote the whole ornament, consisting of the base, the hollow space, and the entablature before-mentioned.
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*cumb'ha*, and one-third of the latter to the *cudmala* (the bud). Or divide the crown of the cupola into five equal parts; give three to the breadth of the *p'haláca*, which divide into five equal parts, make the breadth of the *padma* take up four parts; which divide again into three equal parts, give one to the breadth of the *cant'ha*, and three to the breadth of the *cumb'ha*. Divide the breadth of the latter into nine equal parts, and give one to that of the *dandá* or pinnacle, or three times the breadth of the pinnacle may be taken for the breadth of the *p'haláca*, and one-third of the breadth of the latter for that of the *cudmala* (bud).”
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“The great *padma* or lotus under the pinnacle should be made to consist of eight petals, and the rest of the ornaments made in such a manner as to give a graceful appearance to the whole.”