Mayamata and Building Construction (study)
by Ripan Ghosh | 2024 | 61,593 words
This page relates 鈥榁alaya and Gopana (Lierne and cornice)鈥� of the study dealing with Mayamata鈥攁n ancient Indian architectural treatise dealing with building construction (bhavana-nirmana). It forms part of 鈥淰astuvidya鈥�: 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 6.4 - Valaya and Gop膩na (Lierne and cornice)
[Full title: Details regarding the Entablature (Prastarakara峁嘺) (4) Valaya and Gop膩na (Lierne and cornice)]
The word valaya basically indicates a kind of circular or round shape of ornaments, such as a bracelet or armlet. Here, it may be said that when an element of the entablature is arranged in round shape, it is known as valaya. According to the 办腻尘颈办腻驳补尘补, this is the sixth moulding of the entablature. The word 驳辞辫腻苍补 indicates another moulding of the entablature. B. Dagens translates those words as lierne (valaya) and cornice (驳辞辫腻苍补) or dripstone. Maya suggests that above the 诲补峁囜笉颈办补, valaya should be arranged. As per the 办腻尘颈办腻驳补尘补 text, valaya and 驳辞辫腻苍补 should be built together. But according to Maya, they are separately used for making the entablature. There is an attachment of 办峁辫补峁嘺-辫补迟迟颈办腻 (Lotus leaf), which is to be measured equally to the 尘耻峁ａ弓丑颈产补苍诲丑补 (first molding). This 辫补迟迟颈办腻 is to be arranged above the 诲补峁囜笉颈办腻 in proper cutting.
Several procedures are prescribed in the present text for the settlement of 驳辞辫腻苍补. Firstly, it is mentioned that the 驳辞辫腻苍补 can be built above that 辫补迟迟颈办腻 with proper dimensions. It can also be placed above the 惫腻箩补苍补. If the 驳辞辫腻苍补 is to be arranged above the 诲补峁囜笉颈办腻, then it should overhang down to the part of 惫腻箩补苍补 (upper-fascia).
Maya says that鈥�
驳辞辫腻苍补da峁囜笉ikordhava峁� cedv膩jan膩nt膩valambana峁� || (Mayamata 16.14b)
A kampa (fillet) is to be placed above the 驳辞辫腻苍补, measured by half 诲补峁囜笉补 and quarter of 诲补峁囜笉补 for the width and thickness respectively.