Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c15.5

v1.c15.5

The seventh limb of the Aṣṭāṅga architecture (cf. S. S. 45.) is the knowledge of the planning of the Yajamāna-śālī, its altar and the architectural process of the Koṭihoma. Its utility in the civil architecture is not very much but in the performance of the rituals, sacrifices, ceremonies (marriage etc.) in connection with installation of the deities, Nīrājanas, Homas, coronations of kings and the rising of Indra’s flag the construction of the altars is obligatory. The Altar admits of four classifications and their names and properties are laid down hereunder: