Chapter 3 - The classification of Architecture (vāstu-prakaraṇa)

1-2. The various abodes where gods and men dwell have been noticed by the divine sages; those objects will also be elaborated now (in this science of architecture).

3. The ground, the edifice and other buildings, the conveyance, and the bedstead and other couches are the four classes (of architectural objects).

4. Of these classes the ground is the chief object for all purposes.

5-6. The mansion and other buildings are truly called dwellings because of their connection with the (chief) object (the ground). Indeed these buildings are abated to be the (main architectural) object by those who specialise in the knowledge of architecture.

7-8. The palace, the pavilion, the council-chamber, the hall, similarly the water-shed, and also the theatre: all these are stated by the ancients to be (understood by the term) edifice (harmya).

9-10. The fast conveyance, the car, the palanquin, and similarly, the chariot: all these, Oh architect, are known as the kinds of conveyance. The bedstead will similarly be described (now).

11-12. The cage, the swing, the sofa, the eight-legged crow-(shaped) bed, the plank-bed, similarly the small bed: all these are stated to be (implied by the term) couch (paryaṅka).

13. These are said to be the four main topics, namely, the ground and the others.

14. The earth becomes the abode of all beings because of the sun.

15-16. The contour, the colour, the odour, the features, the sound, the caste, and the touch: by examining these in order the site (for a building) is ascertained for measurement.

17. The site, selected after all these tests, is (further tested) differently for the different castes (lit. the twice-born).

18-20. That site is auspicious for the Brahmins, which is square (in shape), whitish in colour, possessing the fig tree, sloping towards the north, and sweet and fragrant in taste.

21-23. With (the length) exceeding the breadth by one-eighth, reddish in colour, with declivity towards the oast, bitter in taste, possessing the peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), and wide in size: such a site is suitable and prosperous to the Kṣatriyas (lit. the kings).

24-26. With the length exceeding the breadth by not more than one-sixth, yellowish, in colour, possessing the fig tree (Ficus infectoria), with declivity towards the east, and sour in taste: such a site is auspicious and the source of all success to the Vaiśyas (life, the merchant class).

27-29. With the length exceeding the breadth of four parts by one part (i.e. one-fourth), possessing the banyan tree, black in colour, pungent in taste, and with declivity towards the east: such a site bears prosperity to the Śūdras.

30. Of the sites described above the (first) two are stated to be the best and the (last) two fair.

31. The ground (which is) the chief of the (four classes of architectural) objects is thus described; all the four classes are (treated in) the same (manner).

32. The classification of architectural objects is thus described. They are (further) distinguished (separately) for (the different castes, namely,) the twice-born and the other.

33-34. All (kinds of sites) are suitable to the Brahmins, especially to the Gods, and for the Kṣatriyas similarly; for the Vaiśyas and the Śūdras (the sites) should be as stated above in order.

Thus in the Mānasāra, the science of architecture, the third chapter, entitled: “The classification of architecture.”