Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c26.8

v1.c26.8

H.A. p. 457) tallies with the Samarāṅgaṇa's prescription regarding the ideal situation of a house. This is what it means by its doctrine of Bhūplavana (1-4). Similarly land which is barren, gravelish and full of bones, the kārpara etc. and loose, is to be avoided. The month when the works should not be undertaken are Caitra, Jyeṣṭha, Āṣāḍha, Bhādrapada, Āśvina, Kārtika and Māgha. Orientation of the buildings is equally important, absence of it, is technically called Diṅmūḍha planning and it should be avoided Therefore, a temple or a house should always be planned having a correct` orientation. Then follow the four-fold varieties of a bad house technically called Valita etc., and their evil effects enumerated. Next follow the details of the bad ground (see Study). The Sālā varieties of residential house must have Mūṣās and Alindas, the temples are exception. The inauspicious houses like Khādaka etc., the entrances like Utsaṅga etc., the inauspicious doors like Nimnonnata, Karāla etc., the five varieties of the bad houses, consequent upon the inadequate (on some place) or excessive employment (at other places) of the material, the avoidance of the wood of imperishable variety, the prohibition of the placing of the door in the middle, the Vedha of any of these component parts either among themselves or with any other object outside together with the Bhaṅga etc.—all these are well developed. In the end are enumerated the common defects of the houses and the avoidance of which is inculcated at all cost.