Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary)
by D. N. Shukla | 1960 | 15,592 words | ISBN-10: 8121506115 | ISBN-13: 9788121506113
This page describes The First Operations (Kilaka-sutrapata) which is chapter 24 English summary of the Samarangana-Sutradhara by Bhoja. This work in Sanskrit representing a voluminous treatise on Vastu-Shastra (the science of Architecture), encompassing a broad range of subjects, such as Architecture, Shilpa-shastra (Iconography, Arts and Crafts) but also deals with Creation-theory, Geography, Philosophu, etc.
Chapter 24 - The First Operations (Kīlaka-sūtrapāta)
[Note: This chapter corresponds to Chapter 37 of the original Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra]
This chapter too is full of theological details of offering and worship in the laying of the nails, the kīlakas, the characteristics as hinted in the Foundation are almost similar, with the addition that herein, a very interesting light is thrown on the status of the masons and labourers engaged in the building of the house. The architect’s position was in no way inferior to that of the Āchārya—the Purohita and his companion astrologer Sāṃvatsarika—the triad representing Brahmā, Bṛhaspati and Tvaṣṭā (Vāstoṣpati or Viśvakarmā). Hence they too are offered worship with their companions and the labourers. After the ritualistic ceremonies are attended in the laying of the nails, it may be said that the architectural details regarding the nails however, are not wanting.
In the employment of the wood for the construction of the nails, the trees deemed fit are the trees having names in masculine gender, such as:
- Khadira,
- Udumbara,
- Aśvattha,
- Śāla,
- Śāka,
- Dhava,
- Arjuna,
- Añjana,
- Kadara,
- Aśoka,
- Tiniśa,
- Aruṇa,
- Gandana,
- Sirīṣa,
- Sarja,
- Nyagrodha, and
- Veṇu etc.
Among these a a classification is made caste-wise and profession-wise. As regards the dimensions of the nails, it is stated that those belonging to Brāhmaṇas, should measure thirty two aṅgulas in length, those to Kṣatriyas 28, Vaiśyas 24, and Śūdras 20; the width however, should be common i.e. six aṅgulas. As regards the shape of these columns, it should be square in case of Brāhmaṇas, octagonal in case of Kṣatriyas, hexagonal in case of both the Vaiśyas and Śūdras. Then follow the quality and material of the ropes to be tied down in nails in their laying operations.
It should be:
- Dārbha (made of Darbha grass),
- Mauñja (made of Muñja grass),
- Aurṇa (made of wool) and
- Kārpāsa (made of cotton) respectively.
As they belong to Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas and Śūdras.
Another interesting item of this chapter is the process of laying the nail-pillar as brought out by the Śaṅku-tāḍana. As many as eight blows should be given on the head of the nail-pillar and in this process if the pillar sits well in the pit, it is considered auspicious, otherwise inauspicious and in later case Śāntika is enjoined. Again if daring these blows, it gives way and the blow giving hands themselves give way, it is considered inauspicious.