Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c52.16

v1.c52.16

“He mentions devapatha at the head of the Gaṇa-Devapathādi, (V. 3-100), which again can be explained only in the light of Kauṭilya. This corroborative testimony from the Arthaśāstra is rather singular since no other work throws light on the meaning of the Pāṇinian word. According to Pāṇini the ‘Passage’ which resembles a ‘celestial passage” (devapatha) is called devapatha (V. 3.100). What can such a passage or road possibly be, so as to observe the comparison involved? According to Kauṭilya, the wide road on the top of the parapet built along the line of battlements (indrakoṣas) was called devapatha (Arth. Text. II. 3, p. 52; Trans. p. 51). The height of the brick fort-wall (Prākāra) above the mud-rampart (vapra) there is stated to be thirty six feet rising from the ground level and the battlements were built above it. The Devapatha extending along the city wall should be understood with reference to its great height resembling the celestial passage (devapatha) in the heavens, justifying the comparison of the former with the latter”.