Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c36.7

v1.c36.7

It may be noted that in the last saṭka i. e. Ujjayanta from which Meru, Mandara, Kailāsa and Kumbha are said to have been born are only so hinted and not described perhaps for the simple reason that these Prāsādas (Meru heading the list) are so many times described. Another point to note is that all these 36 principal varieties of Nāgara temples (with Śṛṅgas, Aṇḍakas, Śikharas etc.) characterised by Chādya etc., with their sub-divisions into superior, middle and inferior types assume the total one hundred and eight. The criterion however, of these superior, middle or inferior types being a slight difference hither and thither in the architectural planning. Lastly a particular mention which may be made of these temples as enumerated here in this list is that their proportions, as enjoined by the text are too small to fit with great temples of the towns. The text further lays down that these are fit abodes of Yakṣas, Nāgas and Rākṣasas. Thus in my opinion these are little shrines fit to be built in hamlets and other small human settlements (the specimens of which abound everywhere in the country side).