Chapter 40 - The royal palaces (rājaharmya)

1. The characteristic features of the palaces of the kings [viz., rājaharmya] (of various ranks) will be described now.

2-7. (The breadth) of the palaces of all classes of kings, of three sizes each, namely, the smallest and others (i.e., the intermediate and the largest) types, is said to begin from one hundred and eighty-one daṇḍas (of four cubits each) and end at two hundred and one daṇḍas, the increment being by two daṇḍas: their breadth is thus stated. The length (thereof) will be stated now: it (the length) should be greater than the breadth by one-fourth, one-half, three-fourths, or twice the breadth.

8-12. It (the breadth) should begin from one hundred and sixty -nine daṇḍas and end at one hundred and eighty-one daṇḍas, the increment being by two daṇḍas; these are the nine kinds consisting of three types, beginning from the smallest and ending at the largest (including the intermediate): the width of the palace of the Mahārāja (class of kings) is thus described; the length (thereof) in all cases should be made greater than the breadth as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) stated before.

13-16. The nine kinds (of breadth) consisting of three typos, the smallest, (the intermediate and the largest), are said to begin from one hundred and fifty-three daṇḍas and end at one hundred and sixty-nine daṇḍas, the increment being by two daṇḍas: thus are described all varieties of breadth of the palace of the Narendra (class of kings).

17-19. The nine kinds of (breadth consisting of) the smallest and other types should begin from one hundred and thirty-nine daṇḍas and end at one hundred and fifty-(five), daṇḍas: thus is described the breadth of the palace of the Pārṣṇika (class of kings).

20. In all oases the length should be made greater than the breadth as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) stated before.

21-23. The nine kinds (of breadth) as before (i.e., consisting of three types, the smallest, etc.,) should begin from one hundred and twenty-three daṇḍas and end at one hundred and thirty-nine daṇḍas, the increment being by two daṇḍas: this should be the breadth of the palace of the Paṭṭadhara (class of kings); the length (thereof) should be as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) stated before.

24-26. The nine kinds (of breadth) of the smallest and other types should begin from one hundred and seven daṇḍas and end at one hundred and twenty-three daṇḍas, the increment being two daṇḍas: this should be the breadth of the palace of the Maṇḍaleśa (class of kings); the length (thereof) should be made as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) said before.

27-29. The nine kinds of breadth should begin from ninety-one daṇḍas and end at one hundred and seven daṇḍas: thus should be (the breadth) in the palace of the Paṭṭabhāj (class of kings); the length (thereof) should be as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) said before.

30-33. The nine kinds of the aforesaid measure (i.e., the breadth) should begin from seventy-five daṇḍas and end at ninety-one daṇḍas, the increment being by two daṇḍas: this should be the breadth of the smallest and other types in the palace of the Prāhāraka (class of kings); the length (thereof) should be increased up to twice the breadth as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) stated before.

34-37. The nine kinds of (breadth consisting of) the smallest and other types are said to begin from fifty-nine daṇḍas and end at seventy-five (daṇḍas), the increment being by two (daṇḍas): thus should be (the breadth) in the palace of the Astragrāha (class of kings); the length (thereof) should be as (i.e., in accordance with the proportions) stated before.

38. There should be one to seven courts (sālā, lit., wall) in the palace of the Cakravartin (class of kings).

39. (One to) six courts (prākāra) should be made in the palace of the Adhirāja (class of kings).

40. There should be one to five courts (sālā) in the palace of the Narendra (class of kings).

41. There should be up to four (courts) in the palace of the Pārṣṇika (class of kings).

42. There should be one to throe courts (sālā) in the palaces of the three (classes of) kings beginning with Paṭṭadhara, (i.e., including the Maṇḍaleśa, and the Paṭṭabhāj).

43. There should be one to two courts (kuḍya, lit., wall) in the palaces of the Prāhāraka and the Astragrāha (classes of kings).

44-48. The innermost court (sālā) should be of one part, and the second of three parts; the third (court) should be of seven parts, and the fourth of thirteen parts; the fifth (court) should be of twenty-one parts, and the sixth of thirty-ono parts; and the seventh (court) should be of three parts more (i.e., thirty-four parts), or of forty parts thus should be made the (proportionate) width (of the seven courts); the length should be as before (i.e., in accordance with the usual proportions).

49-50. If some (i.e., when a certain) specified measure in daṇḍas (of four cubits each) be given to the innermost court, the measure (of the other courts) up to the seventh court should be increased in accordance with the aforesaid (proportions).

51. These measures of the courts may exclude or include the (measure of the boundary) wall (bhitti).

52-53. Thus the wall should be erected internally, and always externally; the wall should also be erected on the back side; the measurement (of them) will be described in order.

54. Beyond the aforesaid dimensions the (boundary) wall should be erected all round.

55-58. The width of the (partition) walls between the courts from the first (i.e., the innermost) to the seventh is stated to begin from one daṇḍa and end at four daṇḍas, the increment being by half a daṇḍa; but according to some, the increment should be by one cubit (i.e., a quarter daṇḍa) and the seven varieties of width should end at two daṇḍas and a half.

59-61. The height of the rampart (vapṛa) beyond (the wall) should be equal to its width or greater by ono-fourth, one-half, three-fourths, or twice the width.

62-63. The width of the rampart (bhitti-gṛha, wall-house, support of the wall) should taper gradually from bottom to top, the width at the bottom being seven or eight parts, and decreasing (upwards) by one part.

64-67. The top of the enclosure (wall, prākāra), of which the distance (from the rampart) at the bottom should be one cubit, should be at a distance of six, eight, or twelve aṅgalus (from the top of the rampart); both the bottoms (of the enclosure wall and the rampart) should be fittingly fixed.

68. The rampart (lit., wall, bhitti) should be made of stone, brick, or earth.

69-71. As an alternative (to the rampart), a ditch (lit., water-wall) may be made butting against the (enclosure) wall, where a pavilionlike structure (should be made); this structure is made with the intention of supplying a shelter to the guards, etc.: this (guard)-house should be of suitable dimensions; its width is also stated (to be of suitable measure).

72. The Pamma-śāyika plan should be marked in all the courts (sālā).

73-74. Leaving out the Brahmā plot at the centre? in all the surrounding quarters should be constructed the dwelling houses of kings, and all other desirable people.

75-76. In the Indra (east), or the Varuṇa (west) quarter should be built the palace of the Sārvabhauma (class of kings); or it should be in the Ārya quarter, or in the four principal or intermediate quarters.

77. The palace of the Adhirāja (class of kings) should be built in the Yama (south) and the Vivasvat quarters.

78. The palace of the Narendra (class of kings) should be built in the Bhūdhara or the Kubera quarters.

79-80. The palace (lit., house) of the Pārṣṇika (class of kings) should be built in the Indra or the Indrajaya quarters; or this may be built in the Puṣpadanta quarter.

81-82. The palace (lit., house) of the Paṭṭadhara (class of kings) should be built in the Rudra, Rudrajaya, Asura, or Soṣaka [Śoṣaka?] quarter.

83-84. The palaces of the Maṇḍaleśa and the Paṭṭabhāj (classes of kings) should be built in the Gṛhakṣata, Savitra, or Sāvitra quarter.

85-86. The palaces (lit., houses) of the Prāhāraka and the Astragrāha (classes of kings) should be built in the Apavatsa, Āpavatsa, Mṛga, or Mukhyaka. quarter.

87-88. The palaces of all classes of kings may be laid out in the four plans beginning with the Sthānīya^[1] as has been recommended by the ancient (architects).

89. All the main palaces should have their (main) door towards the east,

90-91. The residences for the queens of the various classes of kings should be situated to the south, the north, the south-west, or the north-west of those main palaces.

92. The coronation hall, etc., should be situated to the south of the main palace.

93. The arsenal (lit., house for storage of weapons) should be situated in the Sugrīva, or the Puṣpadanta quarter.

94. The (ordinary) store-house should be situated in the Asura or the Śoṣaka quarter.

95. The treasury and the house for the storage of (valuable) clothes should be separately situated in the Varuṇa (west) or the Nairṛta (south-west) quarter.

96. The houses for keeping jewels and gold, etc., should be situated in the Soma (north) or the Mukhyaka quarter,

97. The house for the storage of ornaments should be optionally in the Gandharva or the Bhṛṅgarāja quarter,

98-99. The dining hall should be situated in the south or southwest, as well as in the north-east, where should also be situated the kitchen,

100. The tank should be dug in the north-west or the south-west.

101. To the north of the queen’s residence should be situated the house for the queen’s guards (kañcuki, attendants on the women’s apartment).

102. The flower pavilion should be constructed to the north-east of the Kubera quarter.

103-104- The bath-house should be situated in the Aditi or the Udita quarter; beyond that should be built the pavilion for washing purposes (lit., cleansing the body).

105. The maternity house^[2] should be situated in the north-west or the south-west.

106. The houses for male and female servants (? slaves) should be situated in the Pūṣan or the Vitatha quarter.

107. The bed-chamber (sleeping apartment) should be situated in the Gṛhakṣata quarter.

108. The house for the court ladies (vilāsinī, lit., fashionable ladies) should be situated in the Mukhya or the Bhallāṭa quarter.

109. The house of the royal palanquin-bearers^[3] should be situated in the Dauvārika quarter.

110. The stables for horses and elephants, etc., should be built on the left side of the gate.

111. The guard-house for the watchmen (police) should be situated on the right side of the gate.

112. The house for the barber should be built is the Satyaka or the Antarikṣa quarter.

113. The carriage-sheds (lit., houses for keeping carriages in) should be built in the Bhṛśa quarter; and the rest should be arranged as stated before (i.e., by the ancient architects)¹.

114. The (arrangement of houses within the) innermost court is thus described; (that of) the outer courts will be described here.

115. The palace of the crown-prince should be built in the Varuṇa quarter (west).

116. To the east or the north of that should be the quarters for his servants.

117-118. The audience-hall should be built in the south, the north, the north-west, or the south-west, or to the north-west of the bank.

119. To the left or the south of the Nāga quarter should be laid out the pleasure garden (orchard).

120. Beyond that should be laid out the flower-garden in the Mukhya or the Bhallāṭa quarter.

121. Beyond those should be constructed the dancing hall, and the various courtyards for dancing.

122. Temples for one’s own (personal) worship as well as for the public (lit., votaries, yajamāna) should be built in the north-east.

123. The house for the priest should be built to the south of the palace in the second court (of the palace).

124. The house for the chanting of the sacred literature should be built in the Roga, or the Mukhyaka quarter.^[4]

125-126. On the outer side of the second enclosure wall should be (opened) its (main) gate; to the right of that (gate) should be situated the great armoury together with dragon-like door-guards on the outside.

127. The cow-sheds should be built in the Īśa quarter (northeast) with doors towards the Mahendra quarter (east).

128. On the either side of those should be built houses for rams; and the monkey-house should be situated in the Satyaka quarter.

129. The stable for horses should be built in the ares from the quarter of Soma (north) to the quarter of Īśāna (north-east).

130. The stable for the elephants should be built (in the region) from the quarter of Yama (south) to the quarter of Pāvaka (south-east).

131. Therefrom up to the quarter of Nairṛta (south-west) should be the place for the fowl-house.

132. The houses for the deer and other animals should be situated in the region from the north-west to the Mukhya quarter.

133. The bird-sheds should be built in the Sugrīva and the Puṣpadanta quarters.

134-135. An elevated platform (vedi) together with a courtyard for security from accident should be constructed beyond the north or in the north as well as the north-west.

136. Around that should be erected a fence of pointed pikes (śūlakampa) with doors in the south and the north.

137-138. To the west of those should be situated the pavilion (maṇḍapa) to see a fight from; this pavilion should be fittingly constructed so that ascending on it (i.e., on an elevated ground) one can conveniently see (the fight going on below).

139. The shed for the ram-fight should be built in the Varuṇa (west) or the Puṣpadanta quarter.

140-143. The pavilion for the cock-fight should be erected in the Mṛga or the Bhṛṅgarāja quarter; the courtyard of that pavilion should be fenced around by the interior; its width from end to end (lit., from bottom to top) should be one, two, three, four, or five cubits, and its depth (i.e., the height) should be two and a half cubits; it should be furnished with (cross) bars one and a half cubits (long).

144. The house for the peacocks should be built in the Dauvārika quarter.

145. The house for the ṭigers should be built beyond the right side of the gate.

146. Outside that should be built the temples and houses for the hunters.

147. The house for the secret residence should be situated in the Vitatha quarter of the third court.

148. In the Yama (southern) quarter of the fourth court should be. the war office (lit., the hall for discussing peace and war).

149-151. To seethe marching of (lit., mounting on) horses, elephants, and vehicles a pavilion should be built in the south, the west, the north, or the east of the sixth or the seventh court.

162. The theatre hall (raṅgamaṇḍapa) should be built in the Īśa (north-east), or the Vitatha quarter.

153. The prison should be constructed in the Bhṛśa, or the Antarikṣa quarter.

154. On the four sides of the court (prākāra) should be opened doors and gateways (gopura).

155. The rest should be made as said before (by the ancient architects) in accordance with the liking of the king in particular.

156. The unspecified pavilions (numbering) up to sixteen should be discreetly (constructed).

157. In the central (Brahmā) quarter should be erected an altar (Brahmā-pīṭha) together with a surrounding pavilion (temple).

158-161. The broad wall of the central altar, of the square or triangular shape, on each side, should be five, seven, or nine cubits (in height); the altar (Brahmā-pīṭha) installed in the centre of a village or of a royal palace is always worshipped like the Trikāla (Siva, the personified three times, namely, past, present, and future).

Thus in the Mānasāra, the science of architecture, the fortieth chapter, entitled: “The description of the royal palaces.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Including the Deśya, Ubhayacaṇḍita, and Bhadra (see chapter VII, page 34).

[2]:

Where a mother is confined for about a month subsequent to her having given birth to a child.

[3]:

Compare chapter IX. [?] 38, page 75, note 8.

[4]:

That is, following the ancient custom, and the comfort and convenience of the master.