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 1 - Introduction
11 (of 40)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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11
MP deals with the temple architecture dating from later than the Gupta
age, and earlier than AD 1100, the approximate date of its last revision. It
seems that chapters on västuvidyÄ were written in the early medieval
period (c. ninth-tenth century AD). Several scholars have corrected and
edited the MP. It was first edited and published by Sri Jivanand
Vidyasagar Bhattacharya from Calcutta in the year 1876. It was reprinted
from the edition of Khemraj Shri Krishandass, Venkateshwar Press by
Pushpendra Sharma from New Delhi in year 1984. The Matsya PurÄṇa: A
study is edited by V.R.R. Dikshitar from Madras in 1935. Another edition of
it is by V. S. Agrawala published from Varanasi in 1963. MP was
translated in English by various Oriental scholars in 1972. Its, Hindi
translation was made by Sri Ram Sharma Acharya in 1971-72. We have
made the frequent use of the English translation by J.D. Akhtar and V.S.
Agrawala. Its Sanskrit edition by Pushpendra Sharma and Hindi
translation of Sri Ram Sarma have also been used.
GARUDA PURĀṆA
The GP was first revealed by Visṇu to Garuda and, hence its such a
name. Its interest in the usual PurÄṇic topics is rather secondary. It is
concerned more with the Vaisnavite rituals, vratas, prÄyaÅ›cittÄs and
mÄhÄtmyas. Visnu, Åšiva, DurgÄ, SÅ«rya and GaṇeÅ›a are the five gods
recommended for worship in it. Imitating the AP, it summarizes the
RÄmÄyaṇa, the MahÄbhÄrata, Harivaṃśa and has also sections on
