Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c48.s7.2

v1.c48.s7.2

‘Rhythm evokes a reality and measure builds it up. Whatever is produced is called ‘Meya’ (‘Samarāṅgaṇasūtra-dhāra’, IX. 28). It is measurable, capable of being known, a quantity (gaṇa; ‘Gaṇitasārasaṅgraha’ 1. 10-15). (Gaṇita, the science of quantities and their computation, mathematics, is applied to architecture, Vāstuvidyā; to Chandas, the science of rhythms, etc., to the dimensions of this earth, to the space world (the interspace, ‘antarikṣa’) and to the world of light and the gods; and to the configuration and destinies of the beings therein.) Proportionate measurement (pra-māṇa) is essential to the temple (vi-māna) and to the image (pratimā) alike. They are ‘made’ by it to the same extent as the Vedic altar and also the Vedi. When the Vedi is outlined on the ground, with the tip of the wooden sacrificial sword, this rhythmic formula (mantra) is recited: “With the sacrifice’s forth-measure (pra-mā), peri-metre (abhi-mā), counter-measure (prati-mā) and upward measure (un-mī), I comprise thee” (Āpastamba Śrauta Sūtra’, IV. 5. 4.). Three-fold and fourfold measure is here meted out; it has direction and building power. It is the object, its energy and form. To have measured the measure, “so that one may not measure further; in a hundred autumns, not before” (AV. XVIII. 2 38) means, that life has been lived consciously, adequately in every direction. “This measure (of life) man measures forth (pra), off (apa), apart (vi), out (nir), up (ut) together (sam), so that when he has measured it, it is said of him that he has gone to heaven” (AV XVIII. 2. 39-45).