Chapter 16 - The description of the entablatures and roofs (prastara)

1. I will now briefly describe the rules concerning the entablature (and the roof) [prastara] in this science (of architecture).

2-4. The sis varieties of height of the uppermost portion (of the column) which is stated to be the height of the entablature are three-fourths of the base, equal to it, and greater by one-fourth, one-half, and three-fourths, and twice it.

5-7. As an alternative (the height of entablatures) for the buildings of gods (i.e., temples) and of the (four) castes (i.e., dwellings) is stated in cubit measurement: the six kinds of height of the entablature should begin from seven cubits and end at four cubits and a half, the decrement being by half a cubit.

8-9. These (six varieties of entablature) are employed in the buildings of the sis respective classes, (namely), the gods, the Brahmans, the Kings (Kṣatriyas), the crown princes, the Vaiśyas, and the Śūdras.

10-13. As an alternative, the same sis varieties of height of the entablature are stated to be half, or three-fourths of the height of the pillar, preferably equal to it, or greater by one-fourth, half, or three-fourths, or twice it; of these the beat proportion is specially recommended.^[1]

14-16. As another alternative, the expert architect may divide the height of the pillar into eight (equal) parts; (of these) seven, six, five, four, three, and two parts are stated by the great sages to be the six kinds of height of the entablature.

17. The height of all these varieties of entablature should extend to the region of the crowning fillet (uttara).

18-20. Kapota, prastara, mañca, pracchādana, gopāna, vitāna, valabhī, matta-vāraṇa, vidhāna and lupa: these are the synonyms (of entablature).

21. All the component mouldings in the height and all the oilier parts of the entablature are described here.

22-29. The expert (architect) should divide the height of (an entablature) into thirty-one (equal) parts; (of these) the height of the first fillet (uttara) should be three parts and a half, and the second fillet (vājana) one part; the height of the cornice (valabhi) should be four parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part and a half; as an alternative the height) of the first fillet (uttara) may be three parts, and the second fillet (vājana) one part; equal to that (i.e., one part) should be the small cyma (kṣudra-padma), and the large cyma (mahā-padma) above three parts; above that the fillet (vājana) should be one part, and the corona (kapota) seven parts; the fillet (āliṅga) should be one part, and the interval (antarita) one and one-ball parts; the ovolo (prastara) should be two parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part and a half.

30-31. The part above the crowing fillet (uttara) should be of four, five, six, seven, and eight parts: the pillar outside the building may be either of these-measures (parts).

32-33. The projection of the fillet (uttara) should be of such measurement as would make it look beautiful; the projection of this fillet (uttara) and of the (second) fillet (vājana) should be equal.

34. The projection of the cornice (valabhi) should be equal to or three-fourths of it.

35. Above that the projection of the fillet (vājana) should be symmetrically one-fourth of it.

36-37. The projection of the corona (kapota) should be equal to it, or the projection may extend outwards (to any other proportion), that is, the projection may be made thee-fourths, half or one-fourth of it.

38-39. The projection of the (fillet (āliṅga) should as well be made extending just outside the pillar; the projection to the interval (antarita) above should be similar or equal to it.

40-41. The projection of the crescent moulding (prāti) should be equal to half, or three-fourths of it; at the top of the fillet (vājana) its projection should extend outside the pillar.

42-44. Prati, prastara, and so also prati-vājana, anvanta, avasāna, vidhāna, and vidhānaka: all these are stated by the learned to be the synonyms (of prati).

45. The prati is shaped like a petal, and the vājana consists of two parts.

46-47. Vājana, kṣepaṇa, vetra, paṭṭa, uttara, paṭṭikā, kampa, trika, and mada, etc., and the antarita are synonyms.

48. Tulā-daṇḍa, jayantī, and phalakā are syaonymous.

49-50. Kapota, vaktra-hasta, lupā, gopānaka, and candra: all these are synonymous.

51-52. Saṃgraha, muṣṭibandha, maddala, uddhṛta-hasta, valabhī, and dhāraṇa: all these are synonymous.

53-55. Above that, all other mouldings such as nāṭaka, anta, mṛṇālikā, vallikā, patra, valli, citrāṅga, and kulilāṅghrika: all these are stated to be synonyms by the ancient great sages.

56-58. Uttara, vājana, ādhāra, ādheya, śayana, uddhṛta, mūrdhaka, mahā-tauli, svavaṃśaka, and the ādhāra (base) of praccādana (roof): all these are said to be synonyms.

69-70. Of the same number of parts as before (i.e., thirty-one), the height of the crowning fillet (uttara) should be three parts; above that the fillet (kampa) should be of one part, and the height of the cornice (valabhī) equal to that (i.e., one part); above that something like the cyma (abja) should be made of nine parts, and the fillet (vājana) of half a part; the band (muṣṭibandha) should be two parts and a half, and the fillet (vājana) above one part and a half; the height of the stalk (mṛṇālaka) should be two parts, and the dado (kandhara) above one part; the corona (kṣepaṇa,) should be constructed above that of one part, and the cyma (padma) should be equal to that (one part); above that the fillet (vājana) should be one part and be adorned with foliage. and creepers; the stalk (mṛṇālikā) should grow up from the plantain base (stambha) and be furnished with flowers; above that the base (ādhāra;) and the baud (paṭṭa) should be two parts each, and the fillet (vājana) half a part; the band (muṣṭibandha) should be one part and a half, and the fillet (vājana) one part; above that the large fillet (mahā-vājana) is said to be two parts; the cymā (abja) below that should be half of that, and it should be beautifully fitted and fully ornamented.

71-76. (In the third variety) the height of the mouldings of the entablature of half the height of the pillar including those at the top and the base should be similarly measured: at the top the height of the crowning fillet (āliṅga) should be two parts; above that the fillet (vājana) should be one part, and the interval (antarita) three parts; the fillet (kampa) above should be one part, and the crescent (prati) should be made of two parts; and the fillet (vājana) above that should be one part: these should be the thirty-six parts of the height (of this type of entablature).

77-87. As an alternative (i.e. in the fourth variety), the height of the entablature being divided into thirty parts, the height of the crowning fillet (uttara) should be three parts, and the (second) fillet (kampa) should be made of one part; the comice (valabhī) above should be two parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part; the corona (kapota) should be five parts, and the fillet (āliṅga) one part; the interval (antarita) should be made of two parts, and the drip (nimna) of half a part; above that the cavetto (prati-vājana) should be made of one part and a half; above that the dado (kandhara) should be two parts and the fillet (vājana) one part; above that the dado (grīva) should be two parts, and the fillet (vājana) should be made of one part; the height of its corona (kapota) should be four parts, and the fillet (āliṅga) half a part; the interval (antarita) above should be one part, and the drip (nimna) should be made of half a part; and the ovolo (prastara) should be one part; and it (the whole) should be adorned with all ornaments..

88-93. (In the fifth variety) of the same number of parts (i.e. thirty, in the height of the entablature), the base (mūla) and the beam (gopāna) should be as before, and the crowning fillet (vājana) should be two parts; above that the height of the calyx (kulik, āṅghri) should be five parts; the peculiarity of this part is that it is decorated with the calyx (nāṭaka)^[2] (and) the corona (kapota), the small vestibule (kṣudra-nāsi), and with leaves and creepers, etc.; all the different parts of the entablature should be decorated with crocodiles, etc., and they should be furnished with sharks and bees, etc. and the rest should be made as before.

94-95. The width of the small vestibule (kṣudra-nāsa) should be one, two, or half a rod, and its height should extend up to the limit of the beam (gopāna).

96-97. All the small vestibules should be symmetrical to the lower pillar; but that small vestibule which conforms to the corner pillar (karṇa-pāda) should be half of the forepart of the column.

98-107. (In the sixth variety) the height of the entablature being divided into twenty-six parts, the height of the crowning fillet (uttara) should be three parts, and the (second) fillet (vājana) above one part; above that the cyma (padma) should be one part, and the fillet (vājana) oae part; the fist-band (muṣṭibandha) should be three parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part; the height of the stalk (mṛṇālikā) should be three parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part; the height of the band (paṭṭikā) should be four parts, and the fillet (vājana) one part; the fillet (kampa) should be half a part, the cyma (padma) one part, and the fillet (vājana) half a part; the corona (kapota) should be four parts, and the fillet (āliṅga) half a part; the fillet (vājana) should be equal to that (i.e,, half a part), and the interval (antarita) one part; and above that the cavetto (prativājana) should be made of one part.

108-110, Of the calyx, as also of (lit. together with) the base, the projection should be made a quarter (of their height); the outward projection of all (mouldings) above that should be (generally) half (of their height), or one, two, or three rods.

111-114. Images of the bhūtas (demons), gaṇas (groups of deities^[3]), yakṣas (demigods), vidyādharas (demigods), or of men should be carved at the theatre (nāṭaka) parts of the temples, etc.; images of the yakṣas and vidyādharas should be carved in the (nāṭaka part of the) palaces of the kings; and in all other (residential) buildings the theatre (nāṭaka) part should be furnished with human figures.

115-116. All the fist-bands (muṣṭibandha) should be made parallel to the columns; and the rest should be made as before, and be decorated with all ornaments.

117. (In the seventh variety) of the same number of parts of the entablature, the calyx (nāṭaka) in the upper part should be of the same number of parts.

118-119. (In the eighth variety) the height (of the entablature) should be eight parts more (i.e., thirty-four): of these the corona (kapota) should be made (as before), and the rest should be made as before. These are the eight kinds of entablature.

120. The entablature above (the column) is thus described; the roof (pracchādana) will be described here.

The roof:

121-129. The features of the roof (vracchādana) and other members of all kinds of buildings beginning with the edifice are now described: it (the entablature) should extend up to the crowning fillet (uttara), the three-fold band (trika) or the corona (kapota), or just above the cornice (valabhī); and above that covering one part of the entablature (prastara) forming the roof (pracchāndana) a beam (daṇḍa) should be placed horizontally to the door, and above that (roof) should be the parapet staff (jayantika); it (jayantika) should be made of wood, stone or brick; or the parapet staff (jayantika) should be made of wood alone; otherwise if it be made of stone it should be attached to the beam; it may be similarly made of stone without (being connected with) the beam, bub (in that case) there should be made a (connecting) plank (phalakā); this should be made in all (kinds of) buildings, especially in the temples.

130-132. With regard to materials it (the roof) may be of three kinds: śuddha (pure, unmixed), miśra (mixed), and saṃkīrṇa (amalgamated). When it is made of one material it is known as śuddha, when made of two materials it is miśra, and when made of three (or more) materials it is saṃkīrṇa; with this knowledge the wise (architect) should get it constructed.

133-134. In buildings built of bricks alone, the roof (pracchādana) should be wooden; in stone-built houses, the roof (tauli) should be made of stone; these are their peculiarities.

135. It (the roof) should be furnished with bands (paṭṭikā) at the middle; and there should be the cornice (karṇa) at their ends.

136. It (the roof) should be square, or rectangular, or of some other shape as would suit the building.

137-138. There should be one, two, or three slabs (paṭṭa) placed one above the other; in the interspace there should be placed planks (phalakā), or stone (slabs); the roof (tauli) should extend to the parapet staff (jayantika).

139. It should, as before, end with a device like the pent-roof (lupā) or the petal (dala).

140. With regard to the (residential) houses I have been thus directed: this should be done owing to its practical benefits which have been observed.

141. The roof (tula) at the side (i.e., the pent-roof) may otherwise be constructed from above the slabs (paṭṭa).

142. A beam (daṇḍa) made of wood should be attached to its middle.

143. This type of roof (pracchādana) for residential houses was prescribed by the great sages to me,

144. The roofs (pracchādana) of all other buildings are described here.

145. The middle part should be constructed as stated before, and above that should be the entablature (prastara).

146. The assemblage of the external members should be as before, and the entablature should be of proportionate height.

147-149. As regards the lower (i.e., internal) side (of the roof) it should be, at the middle, circular just above the crowning fillet (uttara, of the entablature); the roof, otherwise, may be furnished with a large support (mahābhāra), or a small post (kṣudra-daṇḍa); and the parapet staff (jayantika) should be furnished with the supporting slab (ādhārapaṭṭa), and be connected with the roof (tulā).

150. The part above the middle covered with the entablature (prastara) should be again covered with the roof (tula)-proper.

151-152. There need not be any small slabs (kṣudrapaṭṭa) in the lower part of this device; otherwise that part should particularly be made four-cornered.

153-154. There should be slabs (paṭṭa) at the lour corners, and the buds (kuḍmala) should be constructed at the middle of the joint; and on the posts feet (pāda) the fully blossomed lotuses should be beautifully constructed.

155. The ornaments for the upper part of the quadrangle (madhya-raṅga,) in connection with that (roof) will be described (below).

156-157. The capital (bodhikā) should be constructed in the upper half of the column below the crowning fillet (uttara) at the top of the above mentioned post (caraṇa).

158-160. The bridge-like ornament (pālikā) should be constructed at the edge of the top of the large ear (pīna-karṇa); above that, in the calyx (nāṭaka) parts, the bridge (pālikā) should be twice in height; above that the height of the stalk (mṛṇālikā) should be equal to the height of the calys (nāṭaka).

161. The large capital (mahā-bodhikā) should be constructed above the stalk (mṛṇāla).

162. The wise architect; should construct a large roof (mahā-tauli) above that large capital (mahā-bodhikā).

163. The height of tie capital (bodhikā) should be as before, and the height of the roof (taulikā) should be equal to it.

164. When the slab (paṭṭikā) is used for support (adhāra) the larger roof (mahā-tauli) may be dispensed with.

165-166. The expert architect should construct at the edge of the top of the support (adhāra) those beautiful sets of mouldings which were prescribed for the limbs of the entablature (prastara).

167. At the top or above the support (ādhāra) should be constructed the roof (pracchādana).

168. The roof (pracchādana) should thus be constructed, and be ornamented as before.

169-170. Similarly the ornaments should be put on the upper part of the quadrangle (madhya-raṅga); its height should be made as before, and the rest should be discreetly constructed.

171-175, The roof (pracchādana) of the parts beyond the edge of that is described here: the crowning fillet (uttara), the second fillet (vājana), and the fist-band (muṣṭibandhana) should be constructed above the aforesaid main pillars (mūla-pāda), free pillars (stambha), and minor pillars (prati-pūdaka); and the stalk, or the fillet (vājana) should be constructed above the crowning fillet (uttara), etc.; above that the hip (śroṇika) together with the beams (daṇḍa) should be constructed.

176-177. The distance between the beams (daṇḍa) should be three, four, five, or six aṅgulas; the strength permitting the distance between the beams (daṇḍa,) may be twice (these measures).

178-179. The shape of the roof (tulā) should (generally) be like four square slabs (paṭṭa); they should be beautifully decorated with or without leaves and creepers.

180-184. Above that the parapets staff: (jayantika) should be constructed at the interspace; otherwise all the fillets (uttara) should be at the end of the forepart of the open space; in the interspaces of the entablature the fillets should be of proportionate parts (measure); all the outside fillets (uttara) should be fittingly constructed of timber; the fillet (uttara) of the entablature should be at its end from the axis of the post (pāda).

185. This is the Sarvatobhadra (type); the shape of the Alakṣa type will be described here.

186. All its beams (vaṃśa) beyond the entablature should extend proportionately to the cornice (karṇa).

187. The aforesaid pillar should be furnished with fillets (uttara); and the surrounding ones should be in accordance with that (i.e. the one at the centre).

188-192. Up to that should extend the Atakṣa typo; the two ears (karṇa) should be without any fillet (uttara); the beams (vaṃśa) should fittingly be constructed from east to south, from south to west, from west to north, and from north to east, and both inside and out; and the rest should be constructed as before, and the outside should be proportionate be the inside.

193. The covered doors on the outside should be furnished with the fillet (uttara), etc.

194-196. The arrangement of the storeys (tala) from the crowning fillet (uttara) to the bottom one is described (here): if on the outside there be an elongated portion the top of the staff (daṇḍikā) should be furnished with the stationary pent-roofs (lupā); otherwise it should be tastefully decorated with the aforesaid high platforms (mañca).

197-200. It (the roof) should be built of stone, wood or brick; and the beam (vaṃśa), etc., should be made sufficiently strong, and bulky; all the fillets (uttara), in the interior and the exterior should be symmetrical; all other members also should be symmetrical to the (main; structure.

201. If the fillets (uttara) be made in a contrary manner the master and the building will be destroyed.

202. The wave-ornaments (taraṅga) should be constructed at the upper and the middle parts of the buildings of the gods (temples) and kings (palaces).

203-204. If the Alakṣa and the other type of roof should be constructed according to rules it would bring prosperity: and it would be auspicious for the buildings of (gods), the twice-born, and all others.

Thus in the Mānasāra, the science of architecture, the sixteenth chapter, entitled: “The description of the entablatures (and roofs).”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

There is evidently some confusion: six proportions are proposed, but actually seven are given.

[2]:

Nāṭaka and kulikāṅghrika are synonymous (see lines, 53-55).

[3]:

ādityā viśvavasavastuṣitā bhāsvarānilāḥ |
mahārājikasādhyāśca rudrāśca gaṇadevatāḥ ||