Mayamata and Building Construction (study)
by Ripan Ghosh | 2024 | 61,593 words
This page relates 鈥榥umber of pillars depends on the dimensions of the 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.
Part 8.10 - The number of pillars depends on the dimensions of the building
[Full title: Features of houses for the four classes (肠补迟耻谤驳峁沨补-惫颈诲丑腻苍补) (10) The number of pillars depends on the dimensions of the building]
According to Maya there is no median pillar in 笔颈峁囜笉补艣腻濒补. Maya refers to that鈥�
kad膩cit pi峁囜笉a艣膩l膩y膩峁� madhya峁� na pravidh墨yate || (Mayamata 27.75)
The term madhya is interpreted as a pillar or stambha, depending on the context provided later. It is stated that鈥�
trihaste v膩 trihastardhe stambh膩 a峁ａ弓au sam膩hi峁� |
caturhaste ca s膩rdhe ca pa帽cahaste ca sadmani || (Mayamata 27.77)
The number of the pillars depends on the width of the respective building. If the width of the building is measured as 3/3.5 cubits, the building should be eight pillars. When the width is 4, 4.5, or 5 cubits, sixteen pillars should be built. For widths of 6, 6.5, or 7 cubits, twenty-four pillars are required. If the width measures 10.5 or 11 cubits, then forty pillars should be calculated. When the width is 12.5 and 13 cubits, fiftyeight pillars should be constructed.