In Hinduism

Vastushastra (architecture)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (architecture)

Trihasta (त्रिहस्त) [=hastatraya?] refers to “three cubits”, according to the Devyāmata (in the section śalyoddhāra-paṭala or “excavation of extraneous substances”).—Accordingly, “[...] If [someone] touches a part of his body, [the officiant] should prognosticate an extraneous thing [at a depth] up to the part. If [someone] touches his neck, they know that there is [an extraneous thing] which is an iron chain. It should be understood that that iron chain [exists at a depth of] three cubits (hastatraya) [underground]. There is no doubt about it. [...]”.

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.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Trihasta (त्रिहस्त) refers to “(a measure of) three hastas”, according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “He who desires a mighty rain must perform this rite ‘the great-cloud-circle’ in an open space, overspread by a blue canopy, shaded by a blue banner, on a clear spot of earth; [...] then the prophet of the Law, after having painted towards the four quarters with liquid cow-dung on a reed, in the eastern quarter three hastas [e.g., trihasta-mātra] high must depict the snake-king called Triśīrṣaka, with cow-dung: in the southern quarter him called Pañcaśīrṣaka five hastas high; in the western, seven hastas high, Saptaśīrṣaka; in the northern, Navaśīrṣaka, nine hastas high. [...]”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Tri, Hasta.

Full-text: Prithuka, Hastatraya.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Trihasta, Tri-hasta; (plurals include: Trihastas, hastas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Kashyapa Shilpa-shastra (study) (by K. Vidyuta)

4. Measurement of the Doors < [Chapter 5 - Gopura Lakṣaṇa]

2. Types of Maṇḍapas < [Chapter 4 - Maṇḍapa Lakṣaṇa]

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