Chapter 45 - The thrones (siṃhāsana-lakṣaṇa)

1-2. The measurement and the characteristic features of thrones [viz., siṃhāsana-lakṣaṇa] suitable as the seat for the gods and the Cakravartin and other (classes of) kings will be stated now.

3. The throne called the Prathama (first) should be made for the first (stage of) coronation.

4. The Maṅgala throne is said to be used for the (second stage of) coronation called Maṅgala (auspicious).

5. The Vīra throne is said to be used for the (third stage of) coronation known as Vīra (hero).

6. The Vijaya throne is said to be used for the (concluding stage of) coronation called Vijaya (victory).

7. These are said to be the four kinds (of thrones); they should be used as the royal seats for the kings

8-10. They (the thrones) are called the Nityārcanāsana (for daily worship) and the Nityotsavāsana (for daily festival); the throne for the special worship is called the Viśeṣāsana, and for the great festival the Mahotsavāsana: these are said to be the four kinds of thrones fit for the gods.

11-16. Again the first throne is called Padmāsana (lotus seat), the second Padmakeśara, the third Padmabhadra, the fourth Śrībhadra, the fifth Śrīviśāla, the sixth Śrībandha, the seventh Śrīmukha, the eighth Bhadrāsana, the ninth Padmabhadra, and the tenth Pādabandha: these are said to be the names of the (other) thrones.

17. The measurement of all the above mentioned thrones will be described (now).

18-19. The nine kinds of breadth should begin from seven aṅgulas and and at twenty-seveu aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas.

20. The length of the thrones for worship (i.e., gods) and for other purposes (i.e., for the kings and others) should be as before.^[1]

21-23. The nine kinds consisting of (three in each of) the smallest and the other (i.e., the intermediate, and the largest) types should begin from fifteen aṅgulas, and end at thirty-one aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these are said to be the breadth of the thrones for daily worship (nityotsava).

24. The length (thereof) should be made as usual, and is said to be increased in order up to twice the breadth^[2].

25-27. The breadth should begin from nineteen aṅgulas and end at thirty-five aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these nine kinds consisting of (three in each of) the smallest, and the other (i.e., intermediate, and the largest) sizes are stated to be given to the thrones for the special festival (mahotsava).

28-30. The length measured between the two legs should be twice the breadth, or twice less one-fourth, or one-and-a half times the breadth; it (the length) may, however, extend to the outside as well as the middle of the legs.

31. The length and breadth should thus be measured in all cases.^[3]

32. This is the measurement (of the thrones) for the gods; (the dimensions of) the thrones for the kings will be described (below).

33-35. Of the Prathamāsana they (the nine kinds of breadth) should begin from fifteen aṅgulas and end at thirty-one aṅgulas, the tncrement being by two aṅgulas: these are said to be the nine kinds of breadth (for the Prathamāsana) consisting of (three in each of) the smallest and the other sizes.

36-37. The length (thereof) should be greater than the breadth by one-half or three-fourths, or twice that; these arc the three kinds of length.

38-40. The nine kinds of breadth as before should begin from seventeen aṅgulas and end at thirty-five aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these are said to be for the Virāsana, the length (thereof) should be made as before.

41-43. The breadth of the Vijayāsana should begin from twenty-one aṅgulas and end at thirty-seven aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: those are said to be the nine kinds of breadth; the length (thereof) should be made as before.

44. The length and breadth are thus described^[4]; their height is stated below.

45-47. The nine kinds of height consisting of (three in each of) the smallest, and the other sizes should begin from one aṅgula, and end at nine aṅgulas, the increment being by one aṅgula: those are the (nine kinds of) height (of the seats) for personal use^[5]: they are made in proportion to the (respective) breadth.

48-50. The height of the Nityārcana throne (for daily worship) should begin from three aṅgulas, and end at nineteen aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these are said to be the nine kinds of height, and should be made in proportion to the breadth.

51-53. The height of the Nityotsava throne should begin from five aṅgulas, and end at twenty-one aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these are said to be the nine kinds consisting of (three in each) of the smallest, and other sizes as before.

54-56. The height of throne known as the Viśeṣārcanāsana should begin from seven aṅgulas and end at twenty-three aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas: these are, as before, the nine kinds consisting of three in each of the smallest and the other sizes in order.

57-59. The nine kinds of height of the throne called the Mahotsavāsana, consisting of the smallest and other sizes should, exactly in the same manner as before, begin from nine aṅgulas and end at twenty-five aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas.

60-62. The nine kinds of height of the pinnacle (śikhara) (? of all the thrones) consisting of the smallest, the intermediate, and the largest sizes, are said to be three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven aṅgulas.

63-64. The height of the Prathama throne should begin from nine aṅgulas and end at seventeen aṅgulas, the increment being by one aṅgula.

65-66. The nine kinds of height of the Maṅgala throne are

said to begin from eleven aṅgulas and end at nineteen aṅgulas (the increment being by one aṅgula).

67-68. The nine kinds of height of the Vīra throne are said to begin from thirteen aṅgulas and end at twenty-one aṅgulas (the increment being by one aṅgula).

69-70. The nine kinds of height of the Vijaya throne are said to begin from fifteen aṅgulas and end at twenty-three aṅgulas (the increment being by one aṅgula).

71. The six formulas beginning with, the auspicious āya should be specially considered with regard to the breadth or (all) the four sides (lit., limbs) (of the thrones).^[6]

72. The Yonis are determined by multiplying (the breadth, etc.), with three, four, five or six, and dividing the product by eight.

73-75. The wise (architect) should multiply (the breadth, etc.), with six, seven, eight, and divide the product by twelve, the remainder is said to be the Āya; when he multiplies the same by seven, eight, or nine, and divides the product by ten, the remainder is said to be the Vyaya.

76-78. When it (the length) is multiplied with eight, nine, or ten, and the product is divided by twenty-seven, the remainder is said to be the Dina (i.e., Ṛkṣa), and when it (height) is multiplied with eight, nine, or ten, and the product is divided by seven, the remainder is called the Vāra.

79. When it (the height) is multiplied with three, four, or five, and the product is divided by nine, the remainder is called the Aṃśa.

80. All the Yonis except the gaja (elephant) is auspicious for the thrones.

81-82. It is auspicious and conducive to all prosperity to make the Āya greater than the Vyaya (lit., to have greater Āya and less Vyaya); but it is ruinous to all prosperity to make the Āya less and the Vyaya greater.

83-84. The dhūma, kāka (crow), gardabha (donkey) and śvāna (dog): these Yonis should be avoided; all the other Yonis are auspicious; the auspicious Yonis should be used here (in measuring thrones).

85. The measurement of all (the thrones) are thus described; the relative measurement (i.e., the comparative measurement of different parts) is stated here.

86-87. The wise (architect) should make the (lion-legged) thrones with the base together with the pedestal, or only with the base, or with the pedestal alone.

88-91. Of the twelve parts of the height, the base should be two parts, the small pillar (pādaka) one part; and a half, the fillet-ear (kampakarṇa) five parts, the small fillet (kampaka) half a part, the cyma (or lotus, abja) one part, the fillet (vājana) above one part, and the projection (kṣepaṇa) hall a part.

92-95. The Vedibhadra type of pedestal should be furnished with various pigeons (kapota); at the two upper parts the pigeons should be carved without their neck; they should be fitted at the bottom of the thrones fit for the gods and the kings.

96-97. The height of the pedestal should be one-fourth, one-half, or three-fourths of the height of a throne, or it may be (even) greater (if desired).

98. As an alternative the whole of the last portion may be given to the plinth which should be identical in height to the base.

99-108. Of the twelve parts of the height, one part should be the height of the base; above that the fillet (kampa) should be of half a part, and the pillar should be made of one part; the large cyma (mahāpadma) should be made of one-and-three-fourths parts; above that the round ear (karṇavṛtta) and the small cyma (padmaka) should be (jointly) one part and a half; the neck (kandhara) should be made of half a part; equal to that (i.e., half a part) should be made the petal of the round (circular) fillot (kampavṛtta) above, and the cyma above that should be half a part; the round pitcher (kumbhavṛtta) should be one part, and the small cyma (padmaka) above that half a part; equal to that should be made the round drip (nimnavṛtta) and the fillet above that; the small neck (galaka) above should be of two parts, and the round fillet (kampavṛtta) one part; the drip (nimna) and the fillet (kampa) should be half a part each, and the small corona (kapotaka) should be made of one part.

109-111. The one part above that being divided into four parts, should be discreetly distributed among the (flat) fillet (āliṅga), the interval (antarita), the crescent fillet (prativājana), and the round fillet (vṛttakampa); and the whole should be adorned with all ornaments.

112. It should be decorated with leographs, etc., with leaves and flowers; and there should be carved two crocodiles at the two wings.

113. The two pigeon-like mouldings (kapota) should be furnished with nose-like ornaments (nāsikā), and it should be decorated with the carving of female crocodile face.

114-115. Sprouts and leaves should be gracefully carved at the four corners (karṇa); the middle part should be ornamented with those leaves, and it should be adorned with all (other) ornaments.

116. The nock (gala) should be furnished with calyx ornaments (nāṭaka), and the carvings of the (demi-gods) Yakṣas and Vidyādharas, etc.

117. The round pitcher (vṛttakumbha) should also be ornamented with calyx ornaments and bauds (paṭṭa), etc.

118. All those mouldings resembling the lotus should be furnished with filaments and petals, etc.

119. The height of the neck (gala) ornamented with various bands (paṭṭa) may be of any (other) desirable measure.

120. Thus is described the Padmāsana (the lotus seat); this should be the throne for Śiva and Viṣṇu.

121. The same with a pedestal (upapīṭha) is called the Padmakesara.

122. The pedestals should be furnished with small, round, and angular (i.e., crescent) fillets (kampa).

193. The drips (nimna) should be adorned with pearls, and the gems should be inserted all over.

124. The neck portions of all the pedestals should be ornamented with calyx (nāṭaka).

125-126. They should be furnished with small cuckoo cots, nests, arches, vestibules (nāsikā), jug-pillars (kumbhapāda), and vestibule-neats (nāsikā-pañjara).

127. They should be furnished with all ornaments and adorned with paintings of the lotus, etc.

128. Thus should be decorated the thrones of gods and all the kings known as the Cakravartin and others.

129. Of the twenty-one parts of the height, the base should be one part.

130. The pillar (pāda) and the projection (kṣepaṇa) should be one part each, and the cyma (ambuja, lit., lotus) one-and-three-fourths parts.

131-132. The one part above that being divided into three parts, the drip (nimnaka) is said to be of one part, and the round fillet (vṛttakampaka) two parts.

133. Above that the fillet (kampa) should be one part, and the height of the cavetto (vapra) five parts.

134. The one part above that being divided into three parts should be (equally) given to the circular moulding (vṛtta), the cyma (padma), and the small circle (vṛttaka).

135. Above that, the cyma (padma) should be equal to the circular moulding (i.e., one-third part) and the smaller circle equal to the cyma.

136. The remaining two parts should be given to the torus (kumuda) which should be made round.

137. The one part above that being divided into three parts should be (equally) given to the circle (vṛtta), the cyma (padma), and the fillet (kampa).

138-139. The cornice (karṇa) above should be of three parts, and the one part above that being divided into three parts should be (equally) given to the fillet (kampa), the cyma (padma), the circle (vṛtta); and the small corona (kapotaka) should be of two parts.

140. Above that the joining fillet (āliṅga) and the interval (antarita) should be made of one part each.

141. Above the crescent moulding (prati) should be the fillet (vājana), on which again should be a fillet (kampa), and the whole should be adorned with all ornaments.

142. Thus should be made the (throne called) Padmabhadra; this is fit for the Adhirāja (class of kings).

143. There should be sixteen (equal) parts in the height, and the base should be made of one part.

144. The fillet (vājana) should be half a part, and the small band (vetraka) one-fourth of a part.

145. The large cyma (mahāmbuja) above that should be three-and-one-fourth parts.

146. Above that the drip (nimna) should he half a part, and the cyma (padma) equal to the latter (i.e., half a part).

147. The height of the torus (kumuda) should be two parts, and the cyma (ambuja) above that half a part.

148. Equal to that (i.e., half a part) should be the fillet (kampa) above, and the height of the neck (gala) three parts.

149. The fillet-cyma (kampapadma) should be one part, and the small corona (kapotaka) two parts.

150. The connecting fillet (āliṅga), the interval (antarita), and the crescent fillet (prativājana) are said to be one part each.

151-152. Thus is described the (throne called) Śrībhadra; this should be adorned with all ornaments. this is suitable for all purposes (lit., seats, sarvāsana) of the Adhirāja and the Narenda (classes of kings).

153. Of the twenty-two parts of the height, the base should be made of two parts.

154. Of the same measure (i.e., two parts each) should be made for the sake of beauty three circular ornaments in order like the steps of staircases.

155. Above that the cyma (padma) should be one part, and the surrounding cane-like band (vetraka) half a part.

156. The upper fillet (kampa) should be half a part, and above that the small circle (vṛttaka) half a part.

157. The three parts of the cavotto (vapra) should be adorned with various flowers.

158. Above that the circle (vṛtta) should be half a part, and the cyma (paṅkaja) above equal to that (i.e., half a part).

159. The small circle (vṛttaka) above should be half a part, and the small cyma (padmaka) above the latter equal to that.

160. Above that the circle (vṛtta) should be half a part, and its petal (dala) should be equal to that.

161. The middle circle should be made of one part, and its projection (nirgama) should be shaped like the torus (kumuda).

162. Above that the cyma (padma) should be half a part, and the surrounding cane-like band (vetra) also half a part.

163. Above that the flat fillet (paṭṭa) should be half a part, and the height of the neck (gala) three parts.

164. It should be adorned with various pillars, lions, leaves, and creepers, etc.

165. Above that should be the upper fillet (agrapaṭṭa), and above the latter the circular band (vetraka).

166. Equal to that should be the cyma (padma) above, and the fillet (vājana) one part.

167. The corona (kapota) should be of two parts, and above that the fillet (vājana) one part.

168. Above that the circle (vṛtta) should be of one part, within which should be ornamented the leographs, etc.

169. This should be adorned with all ornaments, and the rest should be discreetly made.

170-171. Thus is described the (throne called) Śrīvisāla (this is) fit for the Pārṣṇika and the Narendra (classes of kings) to be used as the four thrones, namely, the Prathama ending at the Vijaya (including Maṅgala and Vīra, which are required for the four stages of coronation)^[7].

172-174. The same (throne) with this difference that the projection of the circle within the cavetto (vapra) should be two parts, and the rest of the paintings should be (painted) as before, is known as the Śrībandha (throne): this is fit for the kings, the Pārṣṇika and the Paṭṭadhara, for the purposes (i.e., four stages of coronation.) mentioned before^[8].

175-176. The same (throne) with this difference that the upper fillet above the middle pitcher should be one part; this is called the Śrīmukha: this is fit for the Maṇḍaleśa (class of kings, for all the four stages of coronation).

177-178. The same with a surrounding circle (vṛtta) made at the forepart of the bottom without any cyma (ambuja) is said to be the Bhadrāsana: this is fit for the throne of the Paṭṭabhāj (class of kings).

179-181. The same with a cyma (ambuja) of two parts above the base, and the rest being made as before, is known as the Padmabandha throne: this is fit for the Prāharaka (class of kings) for the purposes of all the thrones (required for the four coronations)^[9].

182. Of the thirty parts of the height, the base should be made of two parts.

183. The height of the cyma (padma) should be three parts, and the fillet (kampa) should be made of one part.

184. The height of the cavetto (vapra) should be six parts, and the pitcher (ghaṭa) above that seven parts.

186. The cyma (padma) should be one part, the cornice (karṇa) four parts, and the fillet (kampa) one part.

186. The height of the corona (kapota) should be three parts, and the connecting fillet (āliṅga), etc., two parts.

187. This should be decorated with leographs, lions, flowers, and crocodiles, etc., at the cornice (karṇa).

188. There should be circular cane-like bands all over, and it should be decorated with the nine gems.

189. Thus should be made the (throne called) Pādabandha: this is fit for the Astragrāha (class of kings).

190. The lion legs should not be made for the (thrones of the) Astragrāha (class of kings).

191. The pedestal, etc., should be made for (the thrones of) the petty kings of the Vaiśya and the Śūdra castes.

192-193. The thrones furnished with four pinnacles would be suitable for all the thrones for all; they.are said to be fit for all the gods and the crowned kings.

194-195. The Prathama and the other thrones of all classes of kings are further described (here): they should be furnished with six legs shaped like the lion.

196. All those (four thrones) should be made facing the east, (because) if the reverse be made it will destroy all things.

197. The eyes (nirīkṣaṇa) should be opened at the four sides of the thrones for the gods.

198-199. The height of the legs of all (thrones) should begin from three aṅgulas, and end at nineteen aṅgulas, the increment being by two aṅgulas^[10].

200. Thus are described the various kinds of thrones; but those which appear beautiful should be used.

201-202. The height of the leg should be nine parts and the height of the lion four parts; the rest should be made as before, and be symmetrically constructed in their proper places.

203-206. The beautiful thrones marked with lions should be made for the Cakravartin, the king mentioned first; for all the (remaining) eight classes of kings also the thrones may be marked with lions and made (equally) beautiful.

207-210. The thrones called the Prathama, the Maṅgala, the Vīra, and the Vijaya together with their individual peculiarities in accordance with the nine classes of kings, as well as their common characteristics have been (thus) stated by the wise (architects),

211-212. The thrones of all the chief gods beginning with Viṣṇu and Rudra, of Jina and Buddha, as well as the occasion (lit., festival) of their use have been (also) stated by the learned (architects).

Thus in the Mānasāra. the science of architecture, the forty-fifth chapter, entitled: “The description of the thrones.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

That is, according to the usual proportions, namely, equal to the breadth, or greater by one-fourth, one-half, three-fourths, or twice the breadth.

[2]:

See note under line 20.

[3]:

The dimensions of the thrones designated above as the Nityārcana (line 8) and Viśeṣārcana (line 9) are not specified.

[4]:

It should be noted that the dimensions of the two other thrones, namely, the Maṅgala (line 4) and the Vīra (line 5) are nob specified; compare the note under line 31.

[5]:

These are obviously meant to be the height of the ten kinds of seats mentioned in lines 1115; the heights of the four divine and four royal thrones are separately specified in the following lines; compare lines 198-199.

[6]:

For details see the writer's Dictionary, pages 600, 610, and compare chapter IX, 63-93; XXX, 168-194.

[7]:

See lines 3-7.

[8]:

Compare lines 170-171.

[9]:

See lines 3-7, 170-171.

[10]:

Compare lines 45-47, and the note thereunder.