Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c77.33

v2.c77.33

**The five attitudes.**—With the variation of the distance between the central and side lines five different positions of the subject are obtained, in the same manner as the front, profile and three quarter positions are obtained in Western Art. The five positions are named in the Mānasollāsa as Ṛju, Ardharju, Sācī, Ardhākṣī and Bhittika. Ṛjusthāna is the front position in which the distance between the central plumb line (Brahmasūtra) and the two Pakṣasūtras, *i. e.* side lines, is six aṅgulas on both the sides. Ardharjukasthāna is that in which the distance from the Brahmasūtra to one Pakṣasūtra is eight aṅgulas on one side and four aṅgulas on the other. The Sācīsthāna is that in which the distance from the Brahmasūtra to one Pakṣasūtra is ten aṅgulas on one side and two aṅgulas on the other. The Ardhākṣikasthāna is that in which the distance from the Brahmasūtra to one Pakṣasūtra is eleven aṅgulas on one side and one aṅgula on the other. Bhittikasthāna is that in which only the Pakṣasūtras are seen while the Brahmasūtra disappears.