Mayamata and Building Construction (study)
by Ripan Ghosh | 2024
This page relates ‘Distribution of other appurtenances� of the study dealing with Mayamata—an ancient Indian architectural treatise dealing with building construction (bhavana-nirmana). It forms part of “Vastuvidya�: a stream of Sanskrit technical literature encompassing village and town planning, temple architecture and other aspects like site selection, orientation, and structural arrangements aimed at promoting harmony and prosperity.
Part 8.14 - Distribution of other appurtenances
[Full title: Features of houses for the four classes (ٳܰṛh-Բ) (14) Distribution of other appurtenances]
To serve different purpose of livehood several rooms should be constructed in the main building. It is prescribed that �ԲԲśԲ-ṛh� (dining room) can be placed at the square of Āⲹ , Indra and Savindra. The room specified to study the Veda (ṣrṇa) should be built at the square of Vivasvant. The marriage ceremony hall () takes place on the square of Mitra. The room for ṣaܰ (hair cutting) should be placed at the square of Indrajaya, and soma. Finance (ⲹⲹ� copanaya) room is to be built on ʾ�, ٲܱ첹 and jala square. The plot Sugala and Puspadanta are suitable for the dwelling of women’s confinement (prasūtiṛh). The square Āpavata is suitable for cistern (Ჹṃg) and the water tank of the building must be placed on the square of Āpa.
The distribution of rooms for several appurtenances is also found in the Բ, though with some little diversions. Here we present two different charts depending on the information of Mayamata and Բ.
As per Mayamata:
Name of the square/ Direction | Suitable for dwelling/ houses |
Āⲹ, Vivasant, Mitra & ū | |
Vivasant, Mitra & ū | Main house for ṣṭⲹ but not suitable for other people |
Eight squeres beginning from Apavatsa | Other people |
Four quarters starting from Indra | ṇa |
Yama & ղṇa | ṣṭⲹ |
ղṇa & Soma | ղśⲹ |
South-west / North-east | Śū |
North-west/South-east | All classes |
North, North-east or Parjanya | Kitchen of all |
Antariksha, Agni and Pūśan | Wells of all |
South/South-west | Dining hall |
North-west | Temple of ṇa |
Aditi and Īśa | Temple for other people |
ٲ & ṛg | House wives of the ṇa |
Gandharva, Bṛṅgarāja, ṛg & Գٲṣa |
Quarters of the queens. |
Puspadanta | Barrack of the soldiers. |
ղṇa, Asura, 岵, Mukhya, Parjanya and Soma |
House wives of the ղśⲹs and others |
As per Բ:
Name of the square/ Direction | Suitable for dwelling/ houses |
Āⲹ, vivasant, Mitra and Bhudhara | Main houses for 屹پ |
Vivasant, Mitra and ū | Main houses for Kings |
Eight squares beginning from Apavatsa |
Houses for other lower caste |
Four squares beginning from Indra | Houses for 屹پ (twice-born) |
Yama and ղṇa | Houses for ṣaٰⲹ |
ղṇa and Soma | Houses for ղśⲹ |
South-west and North-east | Houses for Śū |
North-east or Parjanya | Kitchen for all |
Գٲṣa, Agni and ūṣa | Wells for all |
South and South-west | Dining hall for all |
North-west | Temple for ṇa |
Aditi and Iśa | ٱپ temple |
ṭa and ṛg | Houses for wives for ṇa |
Gandharva, Bhṛṅgarāja, ṛg and Գٲṣa |
Queens of all kings |
ղṇa, Asura, 岵, Mukhya, Paryanya and Soma | Housewives for ղśⲹ and others |
Satyaka or Գٲṣa | Bed room for all |
Śeṣa, Asura, ղṇa | Rooms for enjoyment |
Soma and ṛg | Treasury for gold and jewels |
岵 | Sacrificial Ceremonies for 屹پ |
Aditi | Bathroom for all caste |
Indra and Mahendra | Rooms for servants |
Apa and Apavatsa | Pavilion for newly born baby |
Near quarter | Pavilion for wedding and other ceremonies |
Rudra and Rudrarāja | Houses for daughters, Բⲹ |
Savitra and Sāvitra | Houses for Sons |
Agni, Pūṣaka, Satyaka and Mahendraka | Houses for female companions (ī) |
Mahendra, ʳṣp岹Գٲ, Mukhya, ṛhṣaٲ |
Main doors for all castes |
North-west, ṭa, 岵 | Music room |