Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s12.284

v1.c3.s12.284

Very little is known of the structure of the house. Presumably stone was not used,⁷ and houses were, as in Megasthenes’ time,⁸ built of wood. The hymns of the Atharvaveda⁹ give some information about the construction of a house, but the details are extremely obscure, for most of the expressions used do not recur in any context in which their sense is clear. According to Zimmer,¹⁰ four pillars (Upamit) were set up on a good site, and against them beams were leant at an angle as props (Pratimit). The upright pillars were connected by cross beams (Parimit) resting upon them. The roof was formed of ribs of bamboo cane (vamśa),¹¹ a ridge called Viṣūvant, and a net (Akṣu), which may mean a thatched covering¹² over the bamboo ribs. The walls were filled up with grass in bundles (palada), and the whole structure was held together with ties of various sorts (*nahana, prāṇaha, saṃdaṃśa, pariṣvañjalya*).¹³ In connexion with the house, mention is made of four terms which, though primarily sacrificial in meaning, seem to designate parts of the building: Havirdhāna, ‘oblation-holder’; Agniśāla,¹⁴ ‘fireplace’; Patnīnām Sadana, ‘wives’ room’; and Sadas, ‘sitting room.’ Slings or hanging vessels (*śikya*) are also mentioned.¹⁵ Reedwork (*ita*) is spoken of, no doubt as part of the finishing of the walls of the house.¹⁶ The sides are called Pakṣa. The door with its framework was named Ātā.