Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c77.66

v2.c77.66

**Brick-plaster**—In the V. D. (Pt. III Chapter 40 verses 1-10, also Cit. Laks. p. 13) brick-plaster is preferred to Clay-plaster of the S. S. (to be taken notice of, ahead). "Brick powder of three kinds has to be mixed with clay, one-third part (in amount of the brick powder). Having mixed safforn with oil, (one) should mix (lit. place) (with it) gum resin bees' wax, liquorice, molasses and mudga preparation in equal parts. One-third part of burnt yellow-myrobalan should be added therein. Finally the astringent made of the Bel-tree (Feronia elephantum), destructive (of all injurious agents) mixed in proportion of two to one should be added by an intelligent artist and also a portion of sand, proportionate to the amount of the whole. Then the artist should drench (this mixture) with moist split pulse dissolved in water. The whole of this moist preparation has to be kept in a safe place for one month only. After the moisture has evaporated within a month, a skilful artist should put this dried (yet still damp) plaster on the wall, having carefully considered everything. It should be plain, even, well distributed, without ridges or holes, neither too thick nor too thin. Should it (look) ill done after having become (quite) dry (due to shrinkage), then it ought to be carefully smoothed by coatings of plaster made of that clay (as mentioned before) mixed with resin of the Śāla-tree (Shorea robusta) and with oil. (It is further made) smooth by (repeated) anointing, constant sprinkling with water and by careful polish. Oh lord, when this wall has promptly dried, it does not go to ruins anywhere even at the end of a hundred years."—Kramrich's translation p. 47-48.