In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)

1) Stūpikākīla (स्तूपिकाकील) refers to an “axis rod”, as discussed in chapter 9 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mūrdheṣṭakāvidhi-vimānadevatākalpana]: [...] [After the “last bricks” or mūrdheṣṭakā-ceremonies]—A stūpikākīla (axis rod) is mounted over the bricks which, in turn, have been covered in their pit with a cache of precious gems, grains, etc. The stūpī-finial is cemented over this by the Ācārya, and surmounting the stūpī-dome a śikhākumbha-pot is placed, having been filled with precious metals and gems (24-41). [...]

2) Stūpikākīla (स्तूपिकाकील) refers to a type of “temple-finial”, as discussed in chapter 4 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text consisting of more than 1800 verses devoted to temple-building and the practical concerns of the Pāñcarātra priestly community.—Description of the chapter [ālayalakṣaṇa-mūrdheṣṭakāvidhāna]: After telling about the requirements for proper pratiṣṭhā-installation procedures (1-6), Vasiṣṭha then tells about the stones to be collected for making icons (7-9a). [...] Then Vasiṣṭha turns to the rites of placing the “last bricks” (51-72), after which the artisans and workers are paid and discharged and the stūpikākīla is put in place (73-78a) This finial is topped by the śikhākumbha and a cakra-symbol (73b-79) .

3) Stūpikākīla (स्तूपिकाकील) refers to “temple-finials”, as discussed in in chapter 9 of the Śrīpraśnasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising 5500 Sanskrit verses covering a number of subjects ranging from selecting a temple site through building and furnishing it to sanctifying and maintaining worship in the sacred complex.—Description of the chapter [prāsāda-bhedādayaḥ]: Viṣṇu names and identifies 17 types of vimāna-constructions [...] The stūpikākīla-finials are to be placed there in varying numbers according to what gains the Yajamāna is seeking (41- 53). The vimāna-tower should be populated with images of the Lord in His various forms placed in niches in different directions and on various storeys (54-63). These should be painted according to Shastraic injunctions (64-96).

context information

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)

Partial matches: Stupika, Kila.

Full-text: Stupi, Shikhakumbha, Kila, Murdheshtakavidhana, Alayalakshanamurdheshtakavidhana, Murdheshtaka, Prasadabheda, Murdheshtakavidhivimanadevatakalpana.

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