Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c74.s2.55

v2.c74.s2.55

With the intellectual, practical and the moral equipment of an ancient Sthapati (vide B. V. S. Vol. I “Sthapti evam Sthāpatya’—ch. 6) who was not only an architect but also a sculptor or image-maker, an equipment of a rigorous discipline of concentration like that of a Yogī was also a sacred tradition of Art in ancient India. The S. S. has very aptly hinted at this artistic sacrament of the past. The S. S. says (vide P. L. p. 9; and also other texts M. P. and A. P. pp. 9-10): ‘The wise image-maker should commence the immage-making, observing complete Brahmacarya and having fullest of control over his senses (jitendriyah). During these sacred operations, he has to continue the ‘Japa’ (counting of beads with a sacred formula of a mantra) and ‘homa’ (the offerings in fire—sacrifice). He has regularly to live only on the remains of the sacrificial offerings (the haviṣyānna). He has to abandon sleeping on the cot and should sleep on the ground only……’