Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c18.2

v1.c18.2

The Pīṭhas are classified as Uttama, Madhyama and Kaniṣṭha i.e. superior, middle and inferior types. The height of the Pīṭha (Pedestal) of the Uttama type should be twice the height of the base; of the middle 1½ and of the inferior only 1 part. It is to be noted that only the triad—Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśa can have the Uttama type of the Pīṭha. The Pīṭhas of the other gods should be of the middle type. The Pīṭhas in the residential houses of men may be equal to those of the gods but they should in no case be higher than them. It is interesting to note that in the Rājaveśma, the Pīṭhas should be as high as Deva-pīṭhas rather it may be still higher, because the text eulogises king as the fifth of the lokapālas. The Pīṭhas of the four castes are then enumerated. The height of the Brāhmaṇa 36 aṅgulas, of the others less by 4 aṅgulas successively.