(vii.b) Śilparatna (Summary of Chapters 1-13)

The complete text is divided into two parts, the first dealing with architecture and the second with sculpture—iconography. Painting is treated in the last chapter of the first part, avowdedly in relation to the Vimānas and Gopuras to be decorated with painting of all kinds:

evaṃ sarvavimānāni gopurādīni vā punaḥ |
manoharataraṃ kuryānnānācitravicitritam ||

Similarly there are some five chapters arranged at the end of the second part of the text which seem to be a continuation of the first part dealing with human-dwellings, Manuṣyālaya (31), water reservoirs (32), house-hold furniture and useful machines, Asanādi-paricchada (33), wages to the labourers, Karma-kāra-vetana and weapons etc. Śāstra-lakṣaṇa.

Let us now concentrate on the contents of the first part which deals with architecture and painting (cf. the last chapter—Citra-lakṣaṇa the 46th).

Chapter 1:

The first chapter covers as many as three preliminary topics. The first is the Maṅgalācaraṇa in which after paying his homage to Virañcādhipa, the creator Lord (1), he salutes the two primordial architects Viśvakarmā and Maya (2-3) and continues his homage to the ancient Acharyas of Śilpaśāstra—Bhṛgu etc. (a notice of which has already been taken) (4-3) and then remembers his father who was himself a pandita of Śilpa (6) and concludes with his patron, Sri Devanārāyaṇa already referred to. The second is the catalogue of contents, the ‘Anukramaṇī’ (the scope and the subject-matter of the śāstra as dealt with in the book). The third topic concerns with the qualifications—equipment and relative positions of the Acharya, the Sthāpaka and the fourfold guilds of Architects—Sthapati and Sūtragrāhin, Takṣaka and Vardhaki i.e. Ācāryalakṣaṇa’ and ‘Śilpilakṣaṇa’.

Chapter 2-3:

The second chapter is a traditional treatment of measurements ‘Mānasādhana’—(M. 2 Maya. 5). The third deals with Bhūmilakṣaṇa in respect of the relative superiority and inferiority of a land to be selected for building, its first fourfold types—Pūrṇā, Supadmā, Bhadrā and Dhūmrā from the standpoint of the tapography of the land and the second Vāruṇī, Aindrī, etc. etc. from that of the easy access of the reservoirs of water and fertility of the ground for exhuberance of vegetation. In the selection of building plot, trees also play an important role. Only auspicious trees like, Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Plakṣa, Aśvattha etc. can be accommodated. In the end an important topic of the declivity or proclivity of the ground, what is technically called Plavavicāra is also briefly hinted at (M. 4, 5; Maya 3, 4).

N.B.—Dr. Acharya contends (perhaps on the superfluous identity of the titles of both the works) that the Śilparatna is a verbatim rendering of the Mānasāra which is completely devoid of truth. Take for instance the present chapter and the classification of the different types of Bhūmis in it and you will find these types with their details agree neither with those in the Mānasāra nor even the Mayamata. It follows quite a different tradition, I mean the Āgamas, and its classification of Supadma etc. tallies with that of the Tantrasamuccaya which is also a follower of Āgamas.

Chapter 4:

The 4th chapter deals with two topics, the Śaṅkusthāpana and Halakarṣaṇa under its technical title of ‘Śūdra-parigraha-prākāra’ both of which are very prudently very economically dealt with. Now without taking up the most important of the preliminary topics, the ‘Pada-Vinyāsa’ our text starts with ‘Grāmādilakṣaṇam [grāma-ādi-lakṣaṇa]’ which ought to have been followed afterwards. This chapter is of unique importance as it explicitly deals with the planning of gardens, orchards etc. as an essential equipment of an Indian village-plan or town-plan.

The details of this chapter on villages and towns first consist in giving the different types of human habitations like:

1. Kākini [Kākinī?],
2. Vartanā,
3. Khāṭa,
4. Kuṭitā (or Ekabhoga),
5. Maṅgala,
6. Grāma,
7. Pura,
8. Maṭha.

And then enumerates 14 kinds of theses settlements a notice of which may be taken in its proper place. Then follow the details of their planning, the vinyāsa-bheda, in details of measurements and roads and in accordance with the latter criterion as many as eight types of villages emerge, the Daṇḍaka, Svastika etc. Then follow the equipment of gardens, parks, flower-orchards and reservoirs of water, the vāpīs etc. Further next it briefly deals with the partitioning of the respective varṇas and professionals—the folk-planning. In the end it expatiates on the capital.

Chapter 6:

The sixth chapter is devoted to ‘Pāda-vinyāsa’, all those 32 types already noticed in the preceding manuals. The seventh is related to Vāstu-pūjā incidently bringing the origin of Vāstu, a legendary account of Chāgāsurā etc. cf, also the Aparājitapṛcchā [Aparājita-pṛcchā] where this topic has been more elaborately brought out.

Chapter 8:

In the 8th chapter again details of village-planning are continued especially the planning of village-gates. The next chapter takes the foundation and dedication of the village shrines and the subsequent chapter takes up Foundation and its allied accessories of Ādhāraśilā, Kūrmas and Kumbhas (nidhikumbha etc.) Next in the 11th chapter the Indian technique of dialling and ascertaining the cardinal points by means a gnoman [gnomon?] along with levelling of the ground what is technically sailed ‘Caturaśrīkaraṇam [caturaśrīkaraṇa]’ is elaborated. The subsequent chapter (12) again takes up the foundation details what is technically termed as ‘Garbhanyāsa’ in all kinds of plannings and buildings and incidently brings, in the traditional topic of brick-laying of the Prathameṣṭikā etc. The 13th chapter again takes up the topic of Vāstupadas, especially the different and manifold limbs of Vāstupuruṣa what are called śirās and nāḍis etc. under a peculiar designation (coined by this text) ‘Avāstukārmaṇa-jñāna’ and expatiates also on their vedhas and the resultant miseries.