Essay name: Architectural data in the Puranas
Author:
Sharda Devi
Affiliation: Himachal Pradesh University / Department of History
This essay studies ancient Indian architectural science as found in technical treatises and the Puranas, with special reference to the Matsya, Garuda, Agni and Bhavishya Puranas. These texts detail ancient architectural practices, covering temple and domestic designs, dimensional specifications, and construction rules.
Chapter 6 - Houses
20 (of 37)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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211
trees in the courtyard of residential houses. A jungle, garden is mentioned
by people of all castes and creeds According to the MP7� a banyan tree to
the east of the house is auspicious and all desires are fulfilled. A fig tree to
the south, a pipul tree on the west, and plakṣa tree to the north of it brings.
fortune to the owner. It further says that the kautaki trees should be
avoided on the east, the milky trees on the south and the asana tree on
the west and the straight trees on the north should be avoided. 72 The GP73
says that if aśvattha, plakṣa, nyagrodha and udhumbara are planted in the
east and śālmali (silk cotton tree) in the north-east, it would be beneficent
to the house.
According to the AP 74 the plakṣas trees should be planted to the
east of a dwelling house, the vaṭa on the east, the mangos on the south,
and the aśvathas on the west. Thorny shrubs should be so planted as to
edge the southern boundary of the ground of a house. The flower garden
should be laid out adjoining a dwelling house, or blooming plants of
sesamum orientals should be cultivated therein. The trees should be
planted after having worshipped the Brāhmaṇs and their sovereign. But in
the 247th chapter the AP75 says that a plakṣa tree would be auspicious on
the north and vaṭa tree on the east of the house. Udumbara on the south
and the aśvattha on the west are excellent. A garden should be laid on the
left of the house. The trees planted and grown should be watered morning
