Vastu-shastra (1): Canons of Architecture

by D. N. Shukla | 1960 | 63,284 words | ISBN-10: 8121506115 | ISBN-13: 9788121506113

This page describes Method of Study of the study on Vastu-Shastra (Indian architecture) first part (Fundamental Canons/Literature). It discusses basic concepts such as the philosophy, astronomy, geography and history of Hindu Architecture. Vastushastra can be traced to ancient literature while this thesis also reveals details regarding some of the prime canonical works.

(iii) Method of Study

Lastly in this introductory: chapter, I ought to have indicated, the method of study I have followed in this work but this topic has. been dealt with in the “Introduction”, of this work.

A special mention, in this connection, has to be made of the re-arrangement of the contents (chapter-wise) of the Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra which I have made. If was necessitated, because the author being a king, the compilation and the arrangement might have been left to some of his assistants, or it might be a later mishap that the present arrangement is faulty and gives an impression that the work, especially the first 48 chapters of it, lack coherence, logical sequence and order (vide Dr. Acharya’s notice of the Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra—H. A. I. A. pp. 178-81). Hence an attempt at the re-arrangement of the chapters is made to rectify this defect—vide the chapter ‘The study of Hindu Science of Architecture.’ Thus in brief is indicated my humble attempt towards the great task of studying a technical work, making known to the public, its contributions in the realm of architecture. Whether I have been successful in interpretating the data faithfully and correctly or not, is for the scholars to judge. Fortunately many of them are living, and to them I owe a debt of gratitude, because, but for their pioneering work in this field, a scholar like myself with meagre resources could never have attempted the humble study of a great work. I am really very happy to remark that this study of Bhoja’s Samarāṅgaṇa-sūtradhāra has been acclaimed a pioneer work—vide the report of the examiners (extracts given in the Introduction).

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