Manasara (English translation)
by Prasanna Kumar Acharya | 1933 | 201,051 words
This page describes 鈥渢he rules for erecting gnomoms and pegs鈥� which is Chapter 6 of the Manasara (English translation): an encyclopedic work dealing with the science of Indian architecture and sculptures. The Manasara was originaly written in Sanskrit (in roughly 10,000 verses) and dates to the 5th century A.D. or earlier.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Chapter 6 - The rules for erecting gnomoms and pegs
[Full title: The rules for erecting gnomoms and pegs (艣补峁卥耻-蝉迟丑腻辫补苍补-濒补办峁峁嘺)]
1. After this I shall fully describe the rules for erecting a gnomon[1].
2. At sun-rise the erection of the gnomon should be undertaken.
8-6. In a month of the northern (December 22 to June 21) or the southern (June 22 to December 21) solstice, in the bright or dark fortnight, on the most auspicious day, excepting the full moon (day) and the now moon (day), and at a very auspicious moment, in the morning the gnomon should be erected. Thereafter it should remain there till the evening.
7-9. On the day previous to the erection (of a gnomon), purification of the place (where the gnomon is to be erected) should be carried out: in the middle of the selected site a spot, quadrangular (in shape) and measuring four cubits each, way, (should be made) watery all over (in order to secure the accurate levelling).
10-12. The trees (from the timber) of which the gnomon is stated to be made arc those; 办峁泃补尘腻濒补 (Cassia fistula), the branch of 艣补尘墨 (a kind of fire-producing) tree, sandal (Sirium myrtifolium), red sandal Caesalpinia sappan), khadira (Acacia catechu), tinduka, (Diosphyros ombryopteris), white milk-tree (Mimusops kanki), or 艣耻产丑补诲补苍迟补 (tooth-tree).
13-14. The length of the gnomon should be one cubit (i.e., eighteen inches) and the width, at the bottom six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (of three-fourths inch each); the width at the top-end should be two 补峁単耻濒补蝉, (the whole) gradually tapering from the bottom to the top.
15. Its top should be quite circular, smooth and shaped like an umbrella.
16. This is the large type of gnomon, the intermediate one is now described.
17-18. Its length should be eighteen 补峁単耻濒补蝉 and the width at the bottom fives 补峁単耻濒补蝉 and the width at the top-end one 补峁単耻濒补, and the rest should be made as aforesaid.
19-21. The length of the smallest gnomon especially should be twelve 补峁単耻濒补蝉, the width at the bottom four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 and at the top-end one-third 补峁単耻濒补; as an alternative the length may be nine 补峁単耻濒补蝉 and its width at the bottom and at the top-end (should correspond), and the rest is stated to be as before.
22-24. In the centre of the selected site the expert geometrician[2] should describe a circle by moving around (a cord of) twice the length of the gnomon (as the radius); and on the centre (of the circle) a gnomon should be fixed.
25-28. In the forenoon (at a certain time) the chief architect) should mark a point; (whore) the shadow from the gnomon (meets) the circumference in the west. In the afternoon (also) a point should be marked as before (i.e., as ia the morning)[3] where the shadow from the gnomon (meets) the circumference in the east. Thereafter the gnomon should be left (to remain) therein.
29-30. The length of the gnomon being divided into ninety-six parts, (and) the 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 [see notes on 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻] being left out of these parts, the (due) east should then be determined.
31-35. In the months of 碍补苍测腻 (August and September) and 痴峁涐梗补 (April and May) there is no 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻. The 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 left out is two 补峁単耻濒补r[4] in the four months, 惭别峁 (March and April), Mithuna (May and June), 罢耻濒腻 (September and October) and 厂颈峁僪补 (July and August); four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 in (the months of) 痴峁浥沜颈办补 (October and November), 膧峁Ｄ佱笉丑补 (or Karka, i.e., June and July) and 惭墨苍补 (February and March); and six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 in (the months of) Dhanus (November and December) and Kumbha (January and February); and the 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 is stated to be specially eight 补峁単耻濒补蝉 in (the month of) Makara (December and January).
36-37. The aforesaid 补峁単耻濒补蝉 should be marked in the shadow to the left and right of the centre[5]; (with) what is left after the deduction of these 补峁単耻濒补蝉 the due east line should be drawn.
38-39. During the sis months (i.e., northern solstice) beginning with Makara (December 21-22) the shadow declines towards the south and during the sis months (i.e, southern solstice) beginning with 碍耻濒墨谤补 (June 21-22) the shadow declines towards the north.
40-47. In the shadow facing the east-left the left (point) should be marked; thereafter moving towards the east and right the west-left points should be marked.[6] The architect should leave out the 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 and draw the east-west line. By taking (the cord) through the north direction towards the east region (thus) the extension of the fish should be made and the 补峁単耻濒补[7] (should be marked) in front. The door (i.e., entrance) of it (fish) should be marked to the south and north of that line; the line drawn joining the head and tail of the fish should be the north-south line [see notes on cardinal points below]. The point should be marked by moving the cord up to the circular orb (i.e., circumference).
48-49. The 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 is (further) specified as it varies during the three parts, of each month, of ten days each.
50-51. In the month of 惭别峁 (March and April) two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (of 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻) should be left ouy during the first ten days, one 补峁単耻濒补, (part) during the middle ten days and none during the last ten days.
52-53. lathe month of 痴峁涐梗补 (April and May) none at all should be left out daring the first ten days, one 补峁単耻濒补 (part) is stated (to be left out) during the middle ten days, and two parts during the last ten days.
54-55. In the month of Mithuna (May and June) two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the first ten days, three 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the middle ten days, and four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the last ben days.
56-58. In the month of 碍耻濒墨谤补 (June and July) lour 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the first tea days; during the middle ten days also three 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out as that (i.e., the light-shadow); and two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) are stated (to be left out) during the last ten days.
59-60. In the month of 厂颈峁僪补 (July and August) two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the first tea days, one (part) during the middle ten days, and none during the last ten days.
61-62. In the month of 驰耻惫补迟墨 (August and September) none should be left out during the first ten days, one 补峁単耻濒补 (part) should be left out during the middle (ten days), and two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the last ten days.
63-64. In the month of 罢耻濒腻 (September and October) two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) are forbidden (i.e., left out) during the first ten days and three 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (part) should (also) be left out during the middle (ten days), and four (parts) are known (as forbidden) during the last (ten days).
65-66. In (the month of) 痴峁浥沜颈办补 (October and November) four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) (should be left out) during first (ten days), five (parts) during the middle ten days, and six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the last ten days.
67-69. In the zodiac (i.e., month) of Dhanus (November and December) six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the first ten days and seven 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the middle tea days, and it is (well) known that eight 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the last ten days.
70-71. In (the month of) Makara (December and January) the wise (architect) should leave out eight 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the first ten-days, seven 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the middle (ten days), and six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the last (ten days).
72-73. In (the month of) Kumbha (January and February) he (the architect) should leave out six 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the first ten days, five 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the middle (ten days), and four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the last (tea days).
74-76. In the zodiac (i.e., month) of 惭墨苍补 (February and March) four 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out during the (first) tea days, and three 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) during the middle ten days, and during the last ten days also two 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (parts) should be left out,
77-82. The occasions as has been stated (by the ancients) when there is no 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 will now be further specified here: in the aforesaid solar zodiac in 碍补苍测腻 (August and September) and 痴峁涐梗补bha (April and May) daring the other (i.e., last) twenty days should there happen to be a constellation[8] the aforesaid (measures in) 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (of 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻) should be taken as nil. Knowing this he (the architect) should use the cord (to find out the cardinal points). In these solar months even if those constellations take place (only) occasionally it (补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻) should be left out, (because) the sages have allowed discretion to accept or reject in case of doubt (to the extent of) ten (? two) 补峁単耻濒补蝉[9].
88- 84. In accordance with these (rules)[10] the (different) quarters (i.e., the points of the compass) should be determined (and) the cord should be spread therein[11], the due east being (first) determined most perfectly (i.e., accurately)[12].
84-86. Then the north-east is stated (to be found out): the 补峁単耻濒补 (? point) is marked to the north of the point of the east 补峁単耻濒补 (already) marked and the north-east line is drawn from the point (extending) up to the west[13].
87. The due east should be preferred for the building of those who desire salvation (i.e., temples should face due east).
88. The north-east is preferred for (the building of) those who seek enjoyment (i.e., residential buildings should face north-east).
89- 90. That (building) which faces south-east is the source of all evils: therefore, all (kinds of) buildings with face towards the south-east should be avoided.
91. This (instruction) being observed a building is capable of bringing forth an intensive and extensive prosperity.
92. The measurement of the length of the (measuring) cord should conform to the length of the (measuring) rod[14].
93-94. Dividing the threads (of the cord) in three folds the 厂奴迟谤补驳谤腻丑颈苍 (i.e., measurer or designer) should join them (in the following manner): at first the cord should be of two folds and the third fold (should be joined by taking it round the two-folded cord) by the right side.
95. It (the cord) should be made either of cotton or of jute threads.
96. The (more) accurate dimension in a building can indeed be secured (when it is measured) by the cord (rather than by the rod, in the following manner).
97-100. He (the architect) should move the measuring cord (in order to find out the dimensions of an architectural object) taking it (first) from south-west as middle towards its (connecting) directions (i.e., south, and west), (then) from east to south-east, from east to north-east, from south to south-east, from west to north-west, from north to north-west, and from north to north-east.
101-102. With (this) measuring cord should be measured the architectural objects, such as extensive temples, large residential buildings[15] (for kings and richer people) and (humbler) pavilions (i.e, small buildings[15], both religious and residential), and all kinds of villages, etc, (i.e., inclusive of towns and fortified cities).
108-104. From beyond the extreme end of these points found out by the measuring cord at a distance of a cubit or two around the dimensions (of an architectural object) thus ascertained (wooden) pegs are, as stated (below), fixed[16].
105-108. Two pegs each at the corners (lit. ears) of the central line should be fixed. For the exit of the foundation four pegs should be fixed at the four quarters (i.e., north, east, south and west). Four pegs at the four corners (ears) should be fixed and the corners should be attached (i.e., joined)[17]. This is of great benefit, it should be done.
108-110. The wood with which these pegs are made will be described (now); the trees with (the timber of) which the pegs to be (thus) fixed are made are these: khadira (Acacia catechu), 腻诲颈尘别诲补 (a plant), 尘补诲丑奴办补 (Bassia latifolia), and similarly milk-tree (Mimusops kanki) and others, or the pithy trees.
111-112. The length of these pegs to be fixed should be twenty-one or twenty-five 补峁単耻濒补蝉 (of three-fourths inch each) and its width should be (equal to) the measure of one鈥檚 fist (i.e., about seven inches).
113. Its bottom should be made (pointed) like a needle, but (from above the ground) it should taper gradually from bottom to top.
114-115. The architect and the master standing with face towards the east or north, (each) catching hold of a peg by the left hand and holding a hammer should strike it (the peg) with the right hand, and there should be eight strokes on each (of the pegs).
117-118. At the time of the fixing of the pegs, the Brahmin (priest) should pronounce benediction, and thereafter those who assemble (at the laying function of the foundation) should (also) pray (for the success of the undertaking) with all auspicious sounds.
119-120. After this (ceremonial posting of pegs) the carpenter with the permission of the (chief) architect should in the same way strike all the pegs beginning with south-west corner amidst all auspicious sounds.
Thus in the 惭腻苍补蝉腻谤补, the science of architecture, the sixth chapter, entitled: 鈥淭he rules for erecting gnomoms and pegs.鈥�
Notes [40-47]: Finding out cardinal points by means of a gnomon:
The ordinary mode of finding out cardinal points by means of a gnomon is simple. A gnomon of 24, 18 or 12 补峁単耻濒补蝉 in length, 6, 5 or 4 补峁単耻濒补蝉 at the base and 2, 1 or 5/4th 补峁単耻濒补 at the top which is shaped like an umbrella, is fixed on the selected ground levelled with water. A circle is described from the bottom of the gnomon with radius twice the length of the gnomon. Two points are marked on the circumference of the circle when the shadow of the gnomon meets it before and after noon. The straight line joining these two points is roughly taken to be the east-west line (vide lines 30, 37, 42, 84). The line which bisects the east-west line would be the north-south line.
The bisecting is done in the usual way. With each end of the east-west line as centre and the length of the line as radius two circles are drawn which intersect each other at two points forming a fish-like common, segment; the straight line joining these points of intersection bisects the east-west line at right angles and indicates the north-south line. The intermediate quarters are found out in the same way by constructing the fish between the points of the determined quarters (see plate VI, fig. I).
The inaccuracy in the precise determination of the east and west points is caused by the variation of the shadow in consequence of declination of the sun during the interval between the two instants in the forenoon and afternoon when the shadow is observed. For the purpose of rectifying the inevitable variation of the shadow 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻 is stated to be deducted from the shadow (see note under line 29-30).
The subject has been discussed more or less elaborately by all the other leading authorities of astronomy and architecture, for instance,
- 厂奴谤测补-蝉颈诲诲丑腻苍迟补 of 叠丑腻蝉办补谤腻肠腻谤测补 (III, 1鈥�51),
- Brahma-蝉辫丑耻峁璦-蝉颈诲诲丑腻苍迟补 of Brahmagupta (XIX, 1鈥�20).
- L墨l膩vati of 叠丑腻蝉办补谤腻肠腻谤测补 (XI, 1鈥�10; part II, chapter II, section 4).
- Siddh膩nta-艣iromani of 叠丑腻蝉办补谤腻肠腻谤测补 (VII, 36鈥�29).
- 笔补帽肠补-蝉颈诲诲丑腻苍迟颈办腻 of 痴补谤腻丑补尘颈丑颈谤补 (II, 10鈥�13, XIV, 1鈥�11, 14鈥�22),
- Mayamata (VI, 1鈥�28).
- 艢ilparatna of 艢r墨kum膩ra (XI, 1鈥�22),
- 碍腻艣测补辫补-艣颈濒辫补 (I, 60鈥�70).
- 痴腻蝉迟耻-惫颈诲测腻 (III, 7鈥�10).
- 惭补苍耻峁腻濒补测补-肠补苍诲谤颈办腻 (II, 1鈥�4).
- Vitruvius (Book I, chapter VI, Book IX, chapters IV, VIII, IX)
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
For dialling, finding out cardinal points, and orientation and planning of buildings.
[3]:
The morning shadow and the evening shadow meet the circumference of the circle approximately at an equal interval from the noon.
[4]:
[5]:
Bindu, which means a 鈥榩oint鈥�, it may also imply the centre of a circle or a point of intersection of any two lines.
[6]:
Apparently what is intended to be implied (in lines 40-41) is this: in the shadow moving to the east by the left the left point should be marked, thereafter moving towards the west, opposite the Tight, i.e., left, the right point should be marked.
[7]:
Obviously it seems to imply a 鈥榩oint鈥�, tut it may indicate the measure of 补辫补肠肠丑腻测腻.
[9]:
The rendering of last two lines (81-82) is tentative as it contains a grave objection, namely, when the maximum correction can be only eight it would be useless to allow to exercise discretion to the extent of ten, although instances of such an incongruity are not rare in the 惭腻苍补蝉腻谤补 and other texts, It should be noticed that the lines 81鈥�83 though preserved by all the other Mss. have been altogether left out by the Codex architypus [archetypus?]: they need not be taken into consideration at all.
[10]:
Which include the aforesaid modification, exception and exercise of discretion.
[11]:
That is, by means of a cord with which, the necessary circles and the required lines are drawn.
[12]:
Because, otherwise, the determination of the other quarters would not be precise, as their accuracy depends upon the perfection of the east-west line. For the full details see note underlines 40- 47.
[13]:
For details see note under 40鈥�47.
[14]:
Eight rods make one cord, see chapter II, 53.
[15]:
罢谤颈驳峁沨补 seems to imply residential houses with three courts and courtyards, while 痴颈尘腻苍补 would mean huge temples with, five courts and 惭补峁囜笉补辫补 would refer to humbler buildings, both religions and residential, with a single court-yard (see the writer鈥檚 Indian Architecture, pages 51-52, 47, 48, 53-54, and also his Dictionary of Hindu Architecture under these terms. In the 惭峁沜肠丑补办补迟颈办补, (act IV) a palace possessing eight court-yards is described in detail, but 迟谤颈诲丑腻迟耻-艣补谤补峁嘺 is mentioned as a three-storeyed building in the 峁欢惫别诲补 (see Indian Architecture, pages 32, 6).
[16]:
In order to fasten, strings for laying the foundation.
[17]:
See plate VI, fig. 4.