Mortar: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Mortar means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Shilpashastra (iconography)
A Mortar is used for the process of pounding various ingredients, as part of the process of creating a Canvas, in the ancient Indian art of Painting (citra), according to the Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa, an ancient Sanskrit text which (being encyclopedic in nature) deals with a variety of cultural topics such as arts, architecture, music, grammar and astronomy.—Canvas is a kind of surface on which a painter can draw a picture. In ancient time walls are seen to be plastered with different substances and these were prepared for Painting. [...] For the process of plastering on a wall (i.e., kuḍya or bhitti), the painter needs to mix and mingle various ingredients. After that, the mixture should be transferred to a touch stone mortar for the process of pounding.
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Mortar (used to cement the icons in place) is denoted by the Sanskrit term Sudhā, as discussed in chapter 9 (Kriyapada) of the Padma-Samhita: the most widely followed of Samhita covering the entire range of concerns of Pancaratra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jnana, yoga, kriya and carya) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mūrdheṣṭakāvidhi-vimānadevatākalpana]: [...] [After placing the Śikhākumbha-pot]—[...] Since many of the icons on upper storeys [of the vimāna] will have been made first, then fastened at their appointed places on śūlas, the mortar [sudhā] used to cement them in place must be made in a certain way to assure that they will remain long-standing and secure (70b-76a). Five colors for paints and other decorations are mentioned briefly in closing (766-77).
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+490): Ulukhala, Kandana, Udukhala, Vilepa, Aulukhala, Cavita, Ulukhalika, Vajralepa, Avaghata, Musala, Ashmabhala, Khala, Dantolukhalika, Kandani, Limpana, Lauhabhanda, Lepa, Kshoda, Kuntani, Pancasuna.
Relevant text
Search found 207 books and stories containing Mortar, Mortars; (plurals include: Mortars, Mortarses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Exposing Sustainable Mortars with Nanosilica, Zinc Stearate, and Ethyl... < [Volume 10, Issue 10 (2018)]
Towards Sustainable Masonry Construction Through Natural Aggregate... < [Volume 17, Issue 3 (2025)]
Mechanical Performance of Lime Mortar Coatings for Rehabilitation of Masonry... < [Volume 13, Issue 6 (2021)]
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
Characterization and Analysis of the Carbonation Process of a Lime Mortar... < [Volume 18, Issue 12 (2021)]
Characterization of Three Types of Recycled Aggregates from Different... < [Volume 20, Issue 4 (2023)]
Environmental Impact of Phosphogypsum-Derived Building Materials < [Volume 17, Issue 12 (2020)]
Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3 (by Henry Parker)
Story 227 - The Gamarala who went to the God-World < [Part III (b) - Stories of the Western Province and Southern India]
Story 6 - The Millet Trader < [Part I - Stories told by the Cultivating Caste and Vaeddas]
Story 251 - How they killed the Great-bellied Tambi < [Part III (b) - Stories of the Western Province and Southern India]
Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra (by C. G. Kashikar)
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 3 - Drawing of a hexagonal lotus diagram < [Chapter II - Initiation of Disciple]
Part 1 - Alchemical apparatus (yantra) < [Chapter VI - Laboratory equipment]
Part 5 - Details and Equipments of the Laboratory < [Chapter I - Requisites for metallurgical operations]
Interpretation of Funerary Spaces in Roman Times < [Volume 14, Issue 9 (2023)]
Interpreting Visuality in the Middle Ages < [Volume 15, Issue 9 (2024)]
The Carving of Kṛṣṇa’s Legend: North and South, Back and Forth < [Volume 11, Issue 9 (2020)]
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