Mayamata and Building Construction (study)
by Ripan Ghosh | 2024 | 61,593 words
This page relates 鈥楬ouses with ten main building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.
Go directly to: Footnotes.
Part 7.9 - Houses with ten main building
[Full title: Details regarding Houses (艣腻濒腻惫颈诲丑腻苍补) (9) Houses with ten main building]
Mayamata also records some houses that are constructed with ten building. The width and length of the buildings should be measured by eighty cubits and two hundred twenty-four cubits respectively. This kind of building is to be built with twelve gables (濒补濒腻迟补), three main doors, three interior courtyards and eight joints. The verandah of building is to be measured one third or half of the main building. There are three main entrances in this construction. It is stated that gargoyles (苍腻濒补苍颈辫谤补) must be planed inside and outside of the porch. In ancient architecture, gargoyles referred to as 苍腻濒补苍颈辫谤补. This is an ornamental figure often placed on the exterior part of buildings or temple construction. They are generally carved shape and associated with mythical creatures or deities.
If the building is planned for gods, 产谤腻丑尘补峁嘺, or kings, the door can be arranged in the center of the front facade of the building. However, for other classes of people, it should be established to the side of the middle. The reason for this distinction in door placement is likely rooted in traditional beliefs and social importance. Placing the door in the center of the front facade for gods, Brahmins, or kings may symbolize their higher status and importance. On the other hand, for other classes of people, placing the door to the side of the middle may reflect a different cultural significance.
Maya says that:
madhyadv膩ramanindita峁� suramah墨devak峁t墨艣膩laye |
艣别峁Ｄ佱箛腻尘耻辫补尘补诲丑测补尘别惫补 惫颈丑颈迟补峁� 迟补迟蝉补尘辫补诲腻尘腻蝉辫补诲补峁� || (Mayamata, 26.196)[鈥淭here is no harm in placing the door in the centre (of the front facade) of a building intended for gods, Brahmins or kings but, for other categories of people, an auspicious door is placed to the side of the middle (of the facade).鈥漖[1]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
B.Dagens, Mayamata, vol.2. p.563