Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c10.s2.3

v1.c10.s2.3

The architect (the Sthapati) and architecture (Sthāpatya), from the point of view of pure art, are an integrated whole. The S. S. in the very opening lines of the Chapter 44th—Sthāpati-lakṣaṇa—Qualifications that go to make a Sthapati—says, "I am now going to describe the Sthāpatya as handed down to us from generation to generation, by the knowing of which the values and defects of the architects are known". The Sthāpatya is fourfold—the traditional lore (Śāstra), the practical experience (Karma), intuitive insight (Prajñā) and the righteous conduct and character, (Śīla) (ibid 2). These four elements comprised of the science of architecture are to be taken from the standpoint of an architect. These are really the qualities, the qualifications constituting the fundamental equipment which goes to make a Sthapati, an architect.