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Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study)

by K. Vidyuta | 2019 | 33,520 words

This page relates ‘Fourteen types of Ayatashra (Rectangular) Mandapas� of the study on the Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (in English) with special reference to the characteristics of Prakara (temple-components), Mandapa (pavilions) and Gopura (gate-house). The Silpa-Sastras refers to the ancient Indian science of arts and crafts, such as sculpture, architecture and iconography. This study demonstrates the correlatation between ancient Indian monuments (such as temples and sculptures) and the variety of Sanskrit scriptures dealing with their construction.

Go directly to: Footnotes.

5. Fourteen types of Āyatāśra (Rectangular) Maṇḍapas

The ⲹś ṇḍ貹 has the same number of 貹ṅkپ in breadth and length. Increasing by 3 ṅgܱ, the 貹ṅkپ are extended till 27 ṅgܱ, thus resulting in 9 types of measures.

The increase or decrease in the measurements therefore depends upon the type of ṇḍ貹 that is to be designed (XLIV. 64-5):

貹ṅkپtulyeva sⲹٲ� tha paṅktaya� |
vistāra貹ṅkپԲ� tu guṇāṅgulavivardhanāt ||
saptaviṃśāṅgula� yāvattāvadāyama� navadhoditam |
󲹲Բ� ṣaⲹ� pi ṇḍpena karoditam ||
[1]

The hasta Բ must not be used for measuring the pūrvaṇḍ貹 and as described earlier the 貹ṅkپ of the ṇḍ貹s must have pillars.

A desired length which is also auspicious is taken as the length of the ṇḍ貹 and this must be divided into appropriate parts and then the ṇḍ貹 must be constructed (XLIV. 66-7)[2] :

śٳٳ 첹� ū� ṇḍ貹� tu samācaret |
aśeṣapaṃktisaṃkhyāsu prāgvadāyādimācaret ||
bhaktisaṃkhyāsamopeta� ṇḍ貹sya tadāyatam |
tasyocitavibhāga� tu kṛt ṇḍ貹� kuru ||

(i). First ṇḍ貹

First MandapaThis ṇḍ貹 is 3 貹ṅkپ measure in breadth and 5 貹ṅkپ measure in length; on either side or in front, a doorway (ra or dra) is designed in 1 (one) part. So, if there is a door on the 3 sides then it must be endowed with 30 pillars. These pillars are added around the ṇḍ貹 on the outside or inside and 28 pillars must be embellished with ū貹 (XLIV. 68-70ab)[3] :

paṃktitrayaś� tu pañcapaṃktyā viśālakam |
ekapārśve pure tha dramaṃśԲ� kalpayet ||
pārśve rayuta� cettu triṃśadaṅghrisamanvitam |
tadeva parito�'śԲ ṇḍpābhyantarasya ca ||
lūpārohaṇaka� kuryāt aṣṭāviṃśāṃghrisaṃyutam |

If there is a doorway only in the front then it must be accompanied by 26 pillars; but if there is no doorway then that ṇḍ貹 must contain 24 pillars each of which is well decorated with .

The ṇḍ貹 must also constitute the , , ٴǰṇa and ܳ󲹱 (XLIV. 70cd-72ab)[4] :

puro rayuta� cet tat ṣaḍviṃśat caraṇānvitam ||[5]
atha rahīna� tu triraṣṭacaraṇānvitam |
岹� pratyalpanāsāḍhya� vedi첹toraṇam ||
ṃb󲹱ⲹٳ 첹辱ٲ� ٳ󲹳� bhavet |

(ii). Second ṇḍ貹

Second MandapaThe next type of rectangular ṇḍ貹 should measure 4 貹ṅkپ in breadth, 6 貹ṅkپ in length and 1 貹ṅkپ all around. At the centre of the ṇḍ貹 a ūṭa is established measuring 2 貹ṅkپ wide and it also has a mukhabhadra of 1 貹ṅkپ measure.

This second type of ṇḍ貹 has 32 columns (XLIV. 72cd-74ab):

caturbhaktiś� tu āyāme tu ṣaḍaṃśakam ||
ṇḍ貹� paritoṃśԲ� ūṭamabhyantaretaram |
dvibhaktivistṛta� caikabhaktyā tu mukhabhadrakam ||
dtriṃśat caraṇopeta� ṇḍ貹sya dvitīyakam |

(iii). Third ṇḍ貹

Third MandapaThe third type of ṇḍ貹 should measure 5 貹ṅkپ in width and 7 貹ṅkپ in length. In the centre of this, a of 3 貹ṅkپ width and 5 貹ṅkپ length should be designed; around the ṇḍ貹 a bhadra of 1 貹ṅkپ measure in the desired direction must be constructed.

Moreover, this ḍa貹 must constitute 40 pillars and must be well ornamented with , etc. (XLIV. 74cd-6):

ś� pañcabhaktyā syādāyāme saptabhaktaya� ||
tripañca貹ṅkپvistāradīrghā madhye bhavet |
ṇḍ貹� paritoṃśԲ� iṣṭadigbhadrasaṃyutam ||
catriṃśat pādāḍhya� sarlaṃkārasaṃyutam |
徱ⲹ� ܰٲ� ṛtīⲹ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(iv). Fourth ṇḍ貹

Fourth MandapaMeasuring 6 貹ṅkپ wide and 8 貹ṅkپ long, this type, has a which is 2 貹ṅkپ in width and 4 貹ṅkپ long. The ṇḍ貹 is to be surrounded by, in the desired direction mukhabhadras of 2 貹ṅkپ measure.

Also, this has 60 pillars, well decorated with , etc. and is endowed with ornamental mouldings (XLIV. 77-8):

rasabhaktiś� tu vasubhaktyⲹٲ� bhavet |
dvicaturbhaktivistāradīrgha� madhye sabhodayam ||
ṇḍ貹� parito'kṣāṃśa� iṣṭadiṅmukhabhadrakam |
ṣaṣṭisaṃkhyāṅghrisaṃyukta� nāsikādi vibhūṣitam ||
[6]
ṅkṃyܰٲ� ٳܰٳ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(v). Fifth ṇḍ貹

Fifth MandapaThis rectangular ṇḍ貹 is 7 貹ṅkپ in width and 9 貹ṅkپ in length. The in the middle, with 3 貹ṅkپ wide and 5 貹ṅkپ long must be constructed. Surrounding the ṇḍ貹 or in any desired direction a 2 貹ṅkپ measure bhadra must be built and a mukhabhadra of 3 貹ṅkپ width and 1 貹ṅkپ length must also be established.

Furthermore, this 5th rectangular ṇḍ貹 should have 72 pillars and must be well embellished (43. 100-02)[7] :

saptavibhāge tu navabhaktyāyatānvitam |
tribhaktivistṛta� pañcabhaktyāyāma� ṃkaṇam ||
ṇḍ貹� paritokṣāṃśa� iṣṭadigbhadrasaṃyutam |
tribhaktivistṛta� caikabhaktyāyāmamukhabhadrakam ||
saptati� syāddvayādhikya� pādamityabhidhīyate |
sarlaṃkārasaṃyukta� 貹ñ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(vi). Sixth ṇḍ貹

The next ṇḍ貹 should measure respectively 8 and 10 貹ṅkپ in breadth and length; the in its midst with 2 and 4 貹ṅkپ in dimension has a 3 貹ṅkپ space around it with pillars in the centre. Also, in any desired direction a mukhabhadra of 4 貹ṅkپ width and 2 貹ṅkپ length can be constructed.

This ṇḍ貹 consisting of 96 pillars, is well decorated and this type of ṇḍ貹 is favourable especially for Lord Ś (XLIV. 81cd-4ab)[8] :

vasubhaktiś� tu daśabhaktyāyatānvitam ||
dvicaturbhāga� dīrghamadhye sabhodayam |
parito ṇḍpo'gnyaṃśa madhyastambha vivarjitam ||
iṣṭadiṅmukhabhadrāṃśa� caturdvyaṃśe ca suvrata |
ṣaṇṇavatyaṅghrisaṃyukta� sarlaṃkārasaṃyutam ||
ṣaṣṭhama� ṇḍ貹� hyeva� procyate tu śirhakam |

(vii). Seventh ṇḍ貹

Seventh type of rectangular ṇḍ貹 measures 11 貹ṅkپ long and 9 貹ṅkپ wide; the centre is adorned by a that is 1 and 3 貹ṅkپ in breadth and length and all around the ṇḍ貹 there must be a measure of 4 貹ṅkپ. The mukhabhadra of this ṇḍ貹 should measure 3 and 4 貹ṅkپ in extent.

Similar to all other types this ṇḍ貹 is also to be nicely decorated (XLIV. 84cd-6)[9] :

navabhaktyā ś� tu rudrabhaktyāyatānvitam ||
ekatribhakti� dīrghamadhye bhavet |
parito vedabhāga� tu ṇḍ pa� parikalpayet ||
tricaturbhāga� dīrghaṃsyānmukhabhadrakam |
sarlaṃkārasaṃyukta� ٲ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(viii). Eighth ṇḍ貹 39

This type measures 10 貹ṅkپ broad and stretches up to 12 貹ṅkپ. The in the midst of the ṇḍ貹 ought to measure 2 貹ṅkپ long and 4 貹ṅkپ wide; surrounding the an alinda of 1 貹ṅkپ measure must be constructed and if alinda is outside the ṇḍ貹 then it must measure 2 貹ṅkپ. To the exterior of these a portico of a 貹ṅkپ measure, having pillars has to be designed and this ṇḍ貹 should have bhadras in the desired directions (43. 108cd-10):

Only the Muktabodha edition has the entire description of all the 14 types of rectangular ḍa貹s and so the description of 8-14th type ṇḍ貹 is taken from Muktabodha edition.

daśabhaktyā ś� tu dvibhaktyedhikamāyatam ||
屹ٳܰ岵ⲹٲ� tayormadhye ṃkaṇam |
parito'lindamekāṃśa� ṇḍpāddvyaṃśabāhyata� ||
ٲ'Ի岹ṃśa� ܰٲntastambhasaṃyutam |
ṣṭ徱󲹻ṃyܰٲ� ṣṭ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(ix). Ninth ṇḍ貹

This ṇḍ貹 measures 11 and 13 貹ṅkپ in width and length. The inside it; measures 3 貹ṅkپ in dimension; surrounding this, an alinda of 1 (one) 貹ṅkپ measure must be constructed and if alinda is outside the ṇḍ貹 then it must measure 2 貹ṅkپ.

Furthermore, the ninth ṇḍ貹 must have a portico of 1 (one) 貹ṅkپ outside of it (43. 111-12ab):

tadeva śiṃśādhika� vistṛtāyāme tripañcāṃśԲ� ṃkaṇam |
parito'lindamekāṃśa� ṇḍ貹� dvyaṃśabāhyata� ||
ٲ'Ի岹ṃśa� Բ� ṇḍ貹� bhavet |

(x). Tenth ṇḍ貹

Measuring 12 and 14 貹ṅkپ wide and long respectively, this ṇḍ貹, also consists of a central measuring 4 and 6 貹ṅkپ. Outside the , an alinda of 1 (one) 貹ṅkپ and outside the ṇḍ貹 of 2 貹ṅkپ are constructed.

Thus the tenth type also has an alinda of a 貹ṅkپ measure, outside it (43. 112cd-14ab):

ādityāṃśaviśāle tu dvibhāgādhikamāyatam ||
catuṣṣaḍaṃśamadhye tu yāraṃkaṇa� tu |
ⲹ'Ի岹ṃśa� ṇḍ pe dvyaṃśabāhyake ||
ԳٲīԻ岹ṃśa� 岹ś� ṇḍ貹� bhavet |

(xi). Eleventh ṇḍ貹

The next type of ṇḍ貹 is said to be of 14 and 16 貹ṅkپ in width and length. The in the centre measuring 3 貹ṅkپ wide and 5 貹ṅkپ long is surrounded by an alinda of 1 part. Alinda of 1 貹ṅkپ measure, can be constructed in the ṇḍ貹 or outside the viԲ. If there is no portico also the ṇḍ貹 is said to be measuring 4 parts.

Moreover, this type is endowed with bhadras in the desired directions (43. 114cd-16):

vistṛte tu jagatyāṃśe taddvyaṃśādhikamāyatam ||
tripaṃcāṃśe madhye tasmālindāṃśamāvṛtam |
ṇḍpe'tra viԲ� tu ٲ'lindabhāgayā ||
Ի岹� tu pi ṇḍ貹� tu yugāṃśakam |
rudraṇḍ貹māٲ�
4 0 iṣṭadigbhadrasaṃyutam ||

(xii). Twelfth ṇḍ貹

This ṇḍ貹 also measures 14 and 16 貹ṅkپ wide and long respectively; the in its centre has to measure 2 parts in breadth and 4 parts long. Just outside this an alinda measuring 1 part must be constructed and a square ṇḍ貹; outside this square ṇḍ貹 another portico of 1 (one) 貹ṅkپ measure must be designed.

Thus this twelfth ṇḍ貹 type also has bhadras in the desired directions (43. 117-19ab):

manvaṃśe tu ca vis dvibhāgādhikamāyatam |
dvicaturbhāgadhāyāma� tāramadhye ṃkaṇam ||
ٲ'Ի岹ṃśa� ṇḍ貹� caturaśrakam |
ṇḍpādbāhyato'linda� bhāgameva� vidhīyate ||
ddaśa�
[10] ṇḍ貹� ٲ� iṣṭadigbhadrasaṃyutam |

(xiii). Thirteenth ṇḍ貹

This type has to be 15 貹ṅkپ wide and 17 貹ṅkپ long. To the centre of this 15 貹ṅkپ ṇḍ貹, a is to be determined and surrounding this, measuring 1 貹ṅkپ, an alinda is to be built.

Exterior to this alinda a square ṇḍ貹 is to be structured and enclosing this ṇḍ貹 again an alinda of 1 (one) 貹ṅkپ measure is to be constructed (43. 119cd-21):

tripañcāṃśe ś� tu dvibhāgādhikamāyatam ||
tithyaṃśaṇḍ pa� madhye ṃkaṇamiti smṛtam |
ṃkṇāvṛtṃśa� Ի岹� tu vidhīyate ||
ٲ ٳܰś� syāt ṇḍ貹� pravidhīyate |
ٲ屹ṛtṃśaٴ'Ի岹� ٰǻ岹ś� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

(xiv). Fourteenth ṇḍ貹

The last type of rectangular ṇḍ貹 should be 16 貹ṅkپ in breadth and stretch to 18 貹ṅkپ in length. To its outer, at a distance of 24 parts an alinda of 1 (one) part must be designed and outside this a ṇḍ貹 measuring 4 parts is favourable.

Moreover, the ṇḍ貹 must be enclosed by an alinda measuring 1 (one) part (43. 122-23):

ṣoḍaśāṃśe ś� tu dvibhāgādhikamāyatam |
caturviṃśāṃkaṇopeta� bāhye'lindāṃśaԲta� ||
ٲ caturaṃśԲ� ṇḍ貹� syādśṣaٲ� |
ٲ屹ṛtṃśaٴ'Ի岹� ٳܰ岹ś� ṇḍ貹� bhavet ||

Pertaining to the different types of ṇḍ貹s like پ, etc. the extent varies and their components like the , kaṭa, bhadras must be designed.

Also in the desired directions pillars should be erected, surrounding which walls are to be constructed and thus the fourteen types of ṇḍ貹s are to be structured (43. 124-25):

ٲⲹ徱 ⲹٲ� vidyāt tattadvinyāsamucyate |
첹� ca kaṭa� ca ⲹ� ܰٲ śṣaٲ� ||
ṣṭ徱쳦ṇa� ḍy� kalpayetparito ܻ� |
eva� hi manubheda� ca sⲹٲ� ṇḍ貹� vidu� ||

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Śī śⲹ貹 Ś貹ś stram, p. 492fn–this reading is given as a ṻ岹.

[2]:

ṃśuٰśⲹ岵, Muktabodha edition, 43. 86cd-8ab

[3]:

ibid, 43. 88cd-90

[4]:

ṃśuٰśⲹ岵, Muktabodha edition, 43. 91-2

[5]:

Tanjore edition, p. 488fn, this reading is given as a -bheda.

[6]:

ṃśuٰśⲹ岵, Muktabodha edition, 43. 99.

[7]:

Here Muktabodha reading is taken as the Maharishi reading differs in description.

[8]:

ṃśuٰśⲹ岵, Muktabodha edition, 43. 103-05.

[9]:

ibid., 43. 106-08ab; The Tanjore edition adds that this ṇḍ貹 would have a total of 112 pillars.

[10]:

The original reading says: ٳܰ岹ś�... |

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