Chapter 43 - The cars and chariots (ratha-lakṣaṇa)

1-2. I shall (new) describe in order, according to rule, the characteristic features and measurement of (cars and) chariots [viz., ratha-lakṣaṇa] fit for the ride of the gods, the Brahmans, and the kings,

3. The wheels, shapes, measurement, and ornaments, etc., of the chariots will be described.

5-8. The fifteen kinds of the transverse measurement (i,e., diameter) of a wheel should begin from three spans (i,e., one and a half cubits, or twenty-seven inches) and end at five cubits, the increment being by six aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter cubit); the same number of variety (i.e., fifteen kinds) as before may begin (again) from two spans (i,e„ one cubit) and end at four cubits and a half, the increment being by half a span (i.e., a quarter cubit): these should be the diametrical measure of the wheels (in the cars) of the gods, the Brahmans, and the kings.

9-10. The fifteen kinds of thickness (of the rim of those wheels) should begin from two aṅgulas and end at seventeen aṅgulas, the increment being by one aṅgula.

11. The wheel should be made circular, and the spokes (paṭṭa) should be symmetrically attached to it.

12. The (whole) diametrical measure (of the wheel) being divided into three parts, the hub (kukṣi) in the centre should be one park.

13-15. The fifteen kinds of the dimension (thickness) of the navel baud (veśana) in the centre of the hub of the wheel should begin from three aṅgulas and end at seventeen aṅgulas (the increment being by one aṅgula); the hole (for the axle) should be always circular, and the hub also should be of circular shape.

16-17. The fifteen kinds of the projection (i.e., naval band) of the wheel beginning from three aṅgulas and ending at seventeen aṅgulas, the increment being as before (i.e., by one aṅgula), are thus stated.

18. The hub of the wheel should be adorned with all ornaments both inside and outside.

19-21. The length of the axle (akṣa) together with the axle-hands (śikhā) should begin from three spans (i.e., one and a-half cubits) and end at five cubits, the increment being by six aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter cubit); exclusive (of the length of the axle) the length of the axle-hands (alone) should begin from one aṅgula and end at eleven aṅgulas.

22-23. The nine kinds of width of the axle (akṣa) should begin from five aṅgulas and end at twenty-one aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas.

24-25. (The nine kinds), as before, of thickness (lit., height) of the axle should begin from seven aṅgulas and end at twenty-three aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas.

26. The axle-hand should be circular (in width), and its width and length should be made fittingly equal.

27-30. The śāla (sal), jambuka (rose apple tree), sāra (pithy trees) sarala (a kind of pine tree), vakula (Misusopa Elengi), arjuna, madhūka (Aśoka tree), tintriṇī (tamarind tree), barbura (trees), vyāghrī (tiger tree), kṣīriṇī (milk tree), khādira (Acacia catechu) kṛkara, kṛtamāla (Cassia fistula), and śamī (Mimosa suma): with these timbers^[1], the wheels, etc., should be made with due consideration to their strength.

31. The length of the tooth (danta) should be four-fifths part of the width of the pike (śalya).

32-33. The straight length of the linch-pin (kīla) is said to be equal to one-and-a-half times, or twice the width of the tooth.

34. A hole should be made in the extremity of the tooth, and the axle-bolt, or linch-pin (kīla) should be adjusted in it.

35. There should be a support (ādhāra) above,the axle (akṣa); its measurement is stated below.

36-37. The fifteen kinds of the breadth of the support (bhāra) should begin from half a cubit and end at five cubits, the increment being by six aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter cubit).

38-39. The nine kinds of length at the front and back are said to end at twice the breadth, the increment being by one-fourth ot it.

40-42. Three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten aṅgulas should be the width of the support (bhāra) by the shortest (or thinnest) part, but at the front, back and the spoke (paṭṭikā) part, it (the width) should be twice those (measures).

42-43. The same as the aforesaid width (i.e., three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten aṅgulas, should be the breadth of the wood for the support (ādhāra) of all the chariots,

44. The height (thereof) should be increased by one-fifth of the breadth to twice.

45. To the upper part of the (main) support (ādhāra) of the chariot should be attached a supplementary support (upādhāra).

46-47. The length of the support (bhāra), being divided into four, five, six, or seven parts, should be decreased by one part (in the case of the supplementary support); and the last (i.e., seven parts) should be its length.

48-49. The height of the support of the chariot should be equal to the breadth or greater by one-fourth, one-half, for three-fourths, or twice the breadth.

60. The breadth of the wood (dāru) should be made equal to (? the height), and it should be adorned with all ornaments.

51. Underneath that (axle) should be made the ear (karṇana) one half of the height of the axle (akṣa).

52. There should be holes on the support (bhāra) of the axle (akṣa), at the end of the chariot.

53. The axle-bolt (kīla) should be adjusted in the holes; and spokes should be fittingly attached lengthwise.

54. Spokes (paṭṭikā) should also be fitted at the front and back of the supplementary support.

55-57. The pedestals (upapīṭha) above the forepart of the support (ādhāra) of the chariot should be equal to the height of the support or twice or thrice it; thus are stated to be made the pedestals adorned; with all ornaments.

58. Above that (pedestal) should be a member looking like the entablature together with the crowning fillet (uttara), etc.

59-62. That (member) should be decorated with the images of the lion, the elephant, and the crocodile, with the paintings of leaves and all other things, with the dancing (nāṭaka) demons (bhūta), and the demi-gods (yakṣa) on the four girths; (it should be) girdled with hooded serpents, and ornamented with arches (toraṇa) and small pillars (pāda), and also with the ear and the trunk of the elephant (karikarṇa and nāsikā).

63. All these should discreetly be made for beauty in all parts of the chariot except the bottom (or lower part).

64. The support of the chariot is described above; the measurement of the chariot (itself) is stated here (now).

65-67. The breadth should begin from three or four spans and end at five cubits, and five cubits and a-half, the increment being by six aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter cubit): these are stated to be the ten kinds of measures: (five) at the top and (five) at the bottom (lit., by the interior).

68-69. The eight kinds of the projection (nirgama) thereof should begin from one span and end at two and a quarter cubits, the increment being by six aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter cubit).

70-71. The storey (tala) extending from bottom up to top, should be discreetly [made] one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or up to nine (in number).

72-73. The five kinds of height of the spire (śikhā) should begin from one span (i.e., half a cubit), and end at one cubit, the increment being by three aṅgulaṣ (one-eighth cubit).

74-75. The (five kinds of) height of the spire over the second (storey) should begin from five aṅgulas and end at seventeen aṅgulas, the increment being by three aṅgulas.

76-77, The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the third storey should begin from one span and end at one-and-one-fourth cubits, the increment being by three aṅqulas.

78-79. The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the fourth storey should begin from one cubit and end at three spans, the increment being as before, (i.e., by three aṅgulas).

80-81. The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the fifth storey should begin from one cubit and three aṅgulas, and end at thirty-nine aṅgulas, (the increment being by three aṅgulas).

82-83. The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the sixth storey should begin from one and a quarter cubits, and end at one and three quarters cubits, (the increment being by three aṅgulas).

84-85. The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the seventh storey should begin from three spans less one-fourth (i.e., thirty-three aṅgulas) and end at three and three-fourths spans (i.e., forty-five aṅgulas), (the increment being by three aṅgulas).

86-87. The five kinds of height (of the spire) over the eighth storey is known to begin from three spans (i.e., thirty-six aṅgulas) and end at two cubits (i.e., forty-eight aṅgulas), the increment being by three aṅgulas.

88-89. (The five kinds of) height of the spire over the ninth storey should begin from three and one-fourth spans, and end at four and one-fourth spans, the increment being by three aṅgulas (i.e. one-fourth span).

90-91. (As an alternative), the height (of the spires) over the storeys from the first to the ninth should end at twenty-eight aṅgulas, consisting of one span (i.e., twelve aṅgulas) at the bottom (first storey), and the increment being by two aṅgulas (instead of three),

92-93. (As another alternative), the height (of the spires, over the nine storeys) from bottom to top should begin from one span (i.e., twelve aṅgulas) and end at twenty aṅgulas, the increment being by one aṅgula.

94-96. Each of those (nine) storeys should be greater in height than the one immediately above it by twenty-four or twenty-five aṅgulas.

96-97. A floor (kuṭṭima) should be constructed for each storey; its measurement should be included in the measurement of the base mentioned before.

98-99. The base may be famished with a pedestal, or it may be alone (i.e., without the pedestal); (the measurement of) the base should be made excluding the measurement of the pedestal.

100. When the base is thus measured (i.e., excluding the pedestal) its cornice (karṇa, ear) should be made higher than usual.

101. The export (architect) should make the images of all the gods in all the chariots.

102. All the chariots should be equi-angular; they may be (made) with or without porticos (bhadra).

103-104. The projection of the porticos should be made beginning from one span and ending at three spans, the increment being by three aṅgulas (i.e., a quarter span).

105-106. The (projection of the) support (i.e., the lower base) of the chariots should be one-third, three-fourths, three-fifths, or one-half of its breadth.

107. There should be four porticos (niches?) on the four sides; or there may be three, two, or one lion-figure (on each side).

108. The wise (architect) may get made one portico inside the other as said before.

109. All the porticos may fittingly be furnished with vestibules (nāsikā, lit., nose).

110. The bud ornaments (kuḍmala) should be fitted at the side (pakṣa) of the face (like porticos).

111-115. The names of the chariots described above will be stated now: the Nabhasvān-bhadraka, Prabhañjana-bhadraka, Nivāta-bhadraka, Pavana-bhadraka, Pṛṣata-bhadraka, Indraka-bhadraka, and Anila-bhadraka; these are known to be the names of the chariots which are (always) made (equi-)angular.

116. The Nabhavsān-bhadra should be furnished with square porticos, and the Prabhañjana with the hexagonal porticos.

117. The chariot called the Nivāta should have two-sided porticos, and the Pavana three-sided porticos.

118. The Pṛṣata and the Indraka should be furnished with decagonal porticos.

119. The chariot called the Anita should be furnished with twelve-sided porticos.

120-122. According to some, the chariots may be made rectangular (paṭṭāśra); they may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, or oval.

123-125. The square chariots are called Nāgara, the octagonal ones Drāviḍa, the circular ones Vesara [Veśara?] the hexagonal ones Andhra, and the oval or of equal-sided ones are called Kāliṅgaka^[2].

126. The wise (architect) should name the cars of the above mentioned shapes and measures after the gods (for whom they are made).

127. And all the porticos mentioned above should be employed in those various chariots.

128. (For the purpose of the porticos) the breadth of the chariot may be extended by the side of the (small) pillar, and the length (thereof) to twice (the breadth),

129-131. Of the aforesaid measures, the smaller varieties should be employed in the chariots of the gods the Brahmans, and the kings for fighting and mock-fighting, the intermediate varieties (of the chariots) for daily use (lit., festival), and the larger varieties (of the chariots) of the gods and kings for some special occasion (lit., great festival).

132-136. All the chariots suitable for fighting should be furnished with three wheels; all those meant for mock-fighting or ordinary ride (?flying)^[3] should be furnished with four wheels; those meant for daily use (lit., ordinary festivals) should be furnished with five wheels; and all the chariots meant for special use (lit,, great festivals) are known to possess six, seven, eight, nine, or ten wheels in order (of the size).

137-139. The chariots for fighting should have three platforms, (vedi), those for mock-fighting two platforms; and those for daily use (i.e., ordinary festivals) should be furnished with one, two, or three platforms (vedi); the chariots for special use (lit., great festivals) may possess three to nine platforms.

140-143. The chariots of the king Sārvabhauma (i.e., Cakravartin, of imperial status) should be furnished with one to nine platforms; one to seven platforms should be constructed in the chariots of the Mahārāja (class of kings); one to five platforms should be constructed in the chariots of the Narendra (class of kings); and one to four platforms should be constructed in the chariots of the kings called the Pārṣṇika.

144. One to nine platforms should be constructed in the cars of Viṣṇu and Tryambaka (Siva).

145. One to seven platforms should be made in the cars of the heretics beginning from the Buddhists and ending at the Jains.

146-147. The number of platforms in the oars of other gods and goddesses should be four; but the best leading architect may make one to five platforms (for those cars).

148. The ornaments of the upper part of the cars (for the gods) will be described now.

149-150. One, two, or three storeys may be made in the divine cars; their measurement should be made according to one’s discretion, and the rest should be as prescribed by the authoritative architectural works (Āgama, lit., scripture).

151-154. The lower part of the cars should be decorated with the images of Brahmā (Gurupāda), Saroruha (Viṣṇu), Śiva (Guruvara) Ṣaṇmukha (Kārtikeya), (goddess) Sarasvatī, Gaṇapati, and the beloved (wife) of Śaṅkara (i.e., goddess Durgā), together with their various vehicles (vāhana), garments, and ornaments.

155-158. Now the (other) ornaments (i.e., decorations) of cars are described: (they consist of) peacocks’ feathers, chowries, arches (toraṇa), various bells, bright mirrors, fans, and the beautiful wreaths of the ketaka flowers.

159-160. From top to bottom the cars should be decorated with the (nude paintings of the) best of the heavenly women without any clothes on them, and representing on their limbs all their emotions.

101-162. (They should be painted to represent that they are) keeping very high tune of the mardala (a musical drum); at the top should be carved the Maruts (wind gods) as if moving slowly on the sky holding on by their hands.

163-164. The lute, the pipe (or reed), the mṛdaṅga (musical drum), together with the assemblies of many learned courtiers (paṇḍita), and so also should be carved the assemblies of the chiefs, kings, princes, ministers, priests, and the Brahmans.

165. The assemblies of teachers, masters of music, and artists should be party represented.

166. The gods Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva) surrounded by their devotees should be fittingly carved.

167-168. The door-keepers, Yakṣas, Kinnaras, Nāga girls^[4], Garuḍa (the king of birds) should be as well carved.

169-170. (The chariots) of the Cakravartin (class of universal monarchs) should be adorned (in addition) with the ornamental (kalpa) trees^[5] and also with all kinds of platforms.

Thus in the Mānasāra, the science of architecture, the forty-third chapter, entitled: “The description of the cars and chariots.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Compare page 13, lines 9-10; page 14, lines 24, 29; page 15, lines 30, 31; page 19, lines 56-57; page 176, lines 348-359.

[2]:

See the writer’s Dictionary under Nāgara, pp, 299-316.

[3]:

See note under the text.

[4]:

Supposed to be the most beautiful among the better sex.

[5]:

For the details of the oraameṇtal trees see chapter XLVIII.