Part 2 - Mayamata: a brief account (Summary)

Mayamata comprises about 3300 verses and is divided into 36 chapters. They are—

Chapter 1: Saṃgrahādhyāya (Summary)

Chapter 2: Vastuprakāra (Dwelling)

Chapter 3: Bhūparīkṣā (Examination of the site)

Chapter 4: Bhūparigraha (Taking possession of the site)

Chapter 5: Mānopakaraṇa (System of measurement)

Chapter 6: Dikpariccheda (Orientation)

Chapter 7: Padavinyāsa (Diagrams)

Chapter 8: Balikarman (Offerings)

Chapter 9: Grāmavinyāsa (Villages planning)

Chapter 10: Nagaravidhāna (Towns)

Chapter 11: Bhūlambavidhāna (The number of storeys and the dimensions)

Chapter 12: Garbhavinyāsa (The foundation deposit)

Chapter 13: Upapīthvidhāna (The socle)

Chapter 14: Adhiṣṭhānavidhāna (The base)

Chapter15: Pādapramāṇadravyaparigrahavidhāna (Dimensions of the pillars and choice of materials)

Chapter 16: Prastarakaraṇa (Entablature)

Chapter 17: Sandhikarmavidhāna (Joinery)

Chapter 18: Prāsādordhvavargā (Making of the roof and completion of the building work.)

Chapter 19: Ekabhūmividhāna (One storeyed temple)

Chapter 20: Dvibhūmividhāna (Two storeyed temple)

Chapter 21: Tribhūmividhāna (Three storeyed temple)

Chapter 22: Caturbhūmyādibahubhūvidhāna (Temples with four or more storeyed)

Chapter 23: Prākāraparivāravidhāna (Enclosures and Attendant’s shrines)

Chapter 24: Gopuravidhāna (Gateways)

Chapter 25: Maṇḍapavidhāna (Pavilions and halls)

Chapter 26: Śālāvidhāna (Houses)

Chapter 27: Caturgṛhavidhāna (Features of houses for the four classes)

Chapter 28: Gṛhapraveśa (First entry into a house)

Chapter 29: Rājaveśmamānāna (Royal palaces)

Chapter 30: Dvāravidhāna (Doors)

Chapter 31: Yānādhikāra (Vehicles)

Chapter 32: Śayanāsanādhikāra (Beds and seats)

Chapter 33: Liṅgalakṣaṇa (The Liṅga)

Chapter 34: Pīthalakṣanā (Pedestals)

Chapter 35: Anukarmavidhāna (Renovation work)

Chapter 36: Pratimālakṣaṇa (Iconography)

These all chapter have been arranged in a particular pattern. They can be categorized into three large sections. The first section basically deals with the dwelling site. First ten chapters are included in this category. The second section, i.e., the construction of building is explored by next twenty chapters. Last six chapters (31to 36 chapters) discuss on vehicles, seats and iconography. Here we provide a brief summary of all these chapters.

Chapter: 1

The first chapter of Mayamata gives a summary of the entire treatise. It mentions different aspects of building constructions, like, dwelling sites, examination and taking possession of the site, system of measurements, orientation, diagrams, offerings, plans for village and town, the number of storey and the dimensions, foundation deposit etc. The chapter is named as Saṃgrahādhyāya.

Chapter: 2

The title of the second chapter is Vāstuprakāra (Dwelling sites). This chapter defines two technical words, i.e. vastu and vāstu. Vastu indicates the dwelling sites, while vāstu means the arrangement of all kinds of dwelling. Maya defines the word vastu and classifies them into four categories, viz., earth, buildings, vehicles and seats. This chapter also discusses several types of sites according to the Hindu caste system.

Chapter: 3

This chapter is named as Bhūparīkṣa (examination of the site). In this chapter various kinds of examinations of the construction sites are illustrated.

Chapter: 4

This chapter deals with several methods of soil testing. It also has discourse on some significant features that are required for the possession of the site. Hence, it covers a detailed description on different kinds of soil. Ploughing of the site and sowing of different seeds to examine the fertility rate of the soil is a significant method of soil-examination in ancient India. Another famous method is ‘pit’ method. The nature of the soil (dry or moist) is another crucial method in this process.

Chapter: 5

Chapter five of Mayamata describes the measurement system of building construction. There are several kinds of measurement units. It starts from atom and increases up to rope (rajju). Kroṣa, gavyūta, yojana are some notable measurement units that to measure distance between two different places. The module (daṇḍa) unit of measurement is also defined in this text. The classifications of technicians are also recorded in this chapter. Four types of technicians in building construction are mentioned here. They are–Sthapati, Sūtragrāhin, Takṣaka and Vardhaki.

Chapter: 6

The title of the sixth chapter is Dikpariccheda (Orientation). The orientation of the construction site is arranged following the method of Śaṅku (gnomon). The concept of apacchāyā is also to be discussed as per gnomon theory. Two specific lines are used in the building construction, first one is called pramāṇasūtra (measuring line) and second line is known as paryantasūtra (ending line of the construction). The lay-out of building is also described in this chapter.

Chapter: 7

This chapter deals with various kinds of diagrams of lands, suitable for house/ village/town construction etc. Here we find thirty two diagrams started from one square diagram (sakala) to one thousand twenty two squares diagrams (indrakānta). A few diagrams are depicted with the mention of main corresponding deities.

Chapter: 8

The title of this chapter is Balikarman (Offerings). This chapter offers us detailed information of offerings for those deities who are already mentioned in the previous chapter of Mayamata i.e Padavinyāsa. Two types of offerings are prescribed for the construction of building, viz. individual offerings and common offerings.

Chapter: 9

This chapter deals with the topic of Grāmavinyāsa (Planning of villages). Though the word grāma generally denotes a village, but here grāmavinyāsa includes the settlement of town, forts etc. The arrangements of villages, measurement system, making of streets, number of inhabitants etc. are described in this chapter. Eight types of villages are mentioned in this chapter. A well-organized village should be decorated with walls, gateways and temple. Maya records all those elements that make the villages more healthy and beautiful.

Chapter: 10

This chapter of Mayamata deals with the topic of Nagaravidhāna (Planning of town). Dimensions of the town, measurement of surrounding walls, prohibited places, streets, royal capital, and other different types of town forts, etc. are described in this chapter. As per Mayamata, there were several kinds of town viz, kheṭa (inhabitants of śūdra), kharvaṭa (surrounded by mountains), pattana (business port), senāmukhya (town with secured by fort) etc. Daṇḍaka, Kartaridaṇḍaka, Vedibhadra, Svastika, Bhadraka, Bhadramukha, Bhadrakalyāṇa, Mahābhadra, Vāstusubhadra and Sarvatobhadra are the names of different kinds of town plans that Mayamata depicts with minute details. This chapter also deals with the planning of bazaar and temple architecture into a town.

Chapter: 11

This chapter deals with the numbers and dimentions of storeyes of temples, dwellings etc. The chapter is known as Bhūlambavidhāna.

Chapter: 12

The title of this chapter is Garbhavinyāsa (The foundation deposit). Different kinds of rituals are described that are usually observed at the time of building construction. The foundation deposit is one of them. For this purpose a casket should be placed at the construction site with various ingredients like śāli, vṛhi,kodrava, kaṅku, mudga, māṣa, kulatha and tila etc. The place of deposit, deposit for various temples, specific deposit of human dwellings, formula of foundation ceremony, deposit for wells etc. are included in this chapter.

Chapter: 13

This chapter deals with the description of Upapīṭhavidhāna. Upapīṭha or socle is an additional level, put under the base. Foremost, Maya briefly discusses the measurement procedure of socle. Next he classifies the socle into three categories viz. Vedibhadra, Pratibhadra and Subhadra. These all categories are explained in this chapter with their special features.

Chapter: 14

The title of the chapter is Adhiṣṭhānavidhāna (The base). Adhiṣṭhāna or base is a prominent feature to the construction of building. A common description of base and measurement system is found in this chapter. At the very outset, the architect should determine whether the soil quality is dry or moist. After proper examination of the soil, the foundation deposit should be executed at the construction. Thereafter the base should be built on it. The height of the base is to be measured depending on the number of storeyes of the building. Thereafter, various types of bases are explained with their specific features in Mayamata. The common features of all bases are generally discussed at the concluding part of this chapter.

Chapter: 15

This chapter deals with two major topics regarding building construction viz., the measurement of pillars and the choice of materials. At the very beginning, the chapter explains several features of pillars, including their dimensions, features, and the definition of module (daṇḍa) etc. The choice of materials is another significant topic of this chapter, where various aspects like searching for trees, procedure of making of bricks etc.

Chapter: 16

This chapter deals with the topic of Prastarakaraṇa (Entablature). The term Prastarakaraṇa is mostly applied to the entablature as well as to the ceiling of the roof. The entablature is set on the top of the pillars and mainly consists of three parts: the uttara (architrave), vājana (a fillet), and an upper fascia. We find some information on jālakāni (latticed windows) and walls in this chapter.

Chapter: 17

The title of the chapter is Sandhikarmavidhāna (Joinery). This chapter provides information on assemblies. Series of assembled structures with different dimensions are defined there. The concluding part of the chapter offers a detailed description of errors in joinery.

Chapter: 18

This chapter deals with the construction of Prāsadirdhvavargā (The roof of the building and the completion of building work). The decorative elements of the attic (Galalakṣaṇa), types of roofs, shapes, and measurements of roofs are discussed in this chapter. The description of the Stūpikā (Finial), which is placed at the top of the roof, is found in the first part of the chapter. The later part of the chapter mainly deals with the completion work of temples.

Chapter: 19 to 22

The chapters from nineteen to twenty two of Mayamata illuminate temples architecture. Chapter nineteenth deals with the details of one storeyed temple. Remaining three chapters describe two storeyed, three storeyed, four and more storeyed temples respectively.

Chapter: 22 to 25

These three chapters cover concentric enclosures of temples. They discuss on the shrines of attendant deities, temple gateways, pavilions and halls.

Chapter: 26

This chapter deals with the general features of dwellings. It provides the common dimensions of houses, and then divides them into seven categories, ranging from houses with one main building to those with seven main buildings. Additionally, there they are divided into some also subcategories. All these aspects are elaborated in the fifth chapter of the current thesis.

Chapter: 27

This chapter of Mayamata mainly deals with the arrangement of buildings according to the four classes of our society. The title of this chapter is Gṛhavinyāsa means the proper positioning of several kinds of buildings. These buildings are classified into four categories representing the four caste of the society. While Sukhālaya or Saukhya represents a main building house intended for brāhmaṇas, Annālaya, designated for the kṣatriyas, should be positioned in the east. Similarly, the dhānyālaya, intended to the vaishyas, should be located in the south. Lastly, the dhanālaya, which primarily serves the śūdras, should be situated in the west. This chapter also includes descriptions of the wall of enclosure (vāṭabhittividhāna), the layout plan of the building, and the measurements of the central pavilion.

Chapter: 28

This chapter is entitled as Gṛhapraveśa (first entry into a house). The first entry into a new building is always to be accompanied by several rituals. In this chapter, Maya refers to all kinds of activities that should be performed at the time of the first entry into a new building.

Chapter: 29

This chapter deals with the description of Royal palaces. There are descriptions of several kinds of palaces in this chapter. Establishment of small palaces, arrangement of buildings into the palaces, number of storeyes for the construction of palaces etc. have been elucidated in the first part of the chapter. Thereafter, stable for elephant horses, chamber of council, bath house, place of gold embryo ceremony etc. are described in this chapter.

Chapter: 30

In this chapter, we find the description of the Dvāravidhāna (door). It prescribes the proper dimension of the doors, and also discusses where they should be placed. Again the features that made the door auspicious or inauspicious are mentioned in the chapter with minute details. The last part of the chapter briefly mentions the Gopura (gateways) which have already been discussed in twenty-four chapter of the Mayamata.

Chapter: 31

This chapter of the Mayamata deals with different kinds of vehicles. Two types of vehicles are mentioned in this chapter viz. palanquin and chariot. The palanquin is considered to have three types: Pītha, Śikhara, and Maṇḍī. Two types of wheeled vehicles are mentioned in this chapter. The first one is the two-wheel chariots that are utilized during universal kingship ceremonies, annual festivals, and worship processions to gods. The next one is the temple chariot.

Chapter: 32

Beds and seats are described in this chapter. Maya provides a very brief description of them, through some information is previously mentioned thirty-fourth chapter of the Mayamata.

Chapter: 33

The name of the chapter is ‘Liṅgalakṣaṇa’. The term liṅga is here used to denote a sign, mark or representation of divine bodies. This chapter mainly deals with the descriptions of divine representations. Foremost, Maya refers to different kinds of divine representation. Then the characteristics of stones, searching of stones, measurement of liṅga etc. have been described in this chapter. Different types of liṅga are explained in this chapter.

Chapter: 34

This chapter deals with the features of pedestals. Pedestal, a base or supporting element arranged under a statue, is discussed in terms of its materials, measurements, and shapes. There are nine kinds of pedestals described in this text: Bhadrapīṭha, Padma, Vajrapīṭha, Mahāmbuja, Śrikara, Pīthapadma, Mahāvajra, Saumyaka, and Śrikāmya. All these pedestals are depicted in this chapter along with their common features.

Chapter: 35

This chapter also deals with the renovation work of temples, liṅgas, pedestals, images, and other types of constructions.

Chapter: 36

This is the last chapter of the Mayamata. This chapter deals with Pratimālakṣaṇa (iconography). Maya says that:

brahmādīnāṃ ca vinyāsaṃ debīnāṃ varṇamāyudhaṃ |
vāhanaṃ bhūṣaṇaṃ keturvimānaṃ vakṣyate kramāt ||

(Mayamata 36.1)

[“Now, successively presented are the arrangements, colours, attributes, mounts, decoration, emblems and emplacements of the whom the first is Brahmā and the goddesses.]^[1] ”

The chapter comprises descriptions of the image of Brahman, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara. In this context, Maya refers to sixteen images of Maheśvara, including Sukhāsana, Vivāha, Umāskada, Vṛṣārūḍha, Purāri, Nṛtta, Candraśekhara, Ardhanārī. 

The description of Dikpālas (deities of the directions) is another comprehensive part of this chapter. These deities are− 

1. Indra, 
2. Agni, 
3. Yama, 
4. Nirṛti, 
5. Varuṇa, 
6. Vāyu, 
7. Kubera, 
8. Candra, and 
9. Īśāna. 

The chapter also depict the images of the Saptarṣi, Saptarohiṇī, and Mātṛkās (goddesses). The Mātṛkās include Virabhadra, Brahmaṇī, Māheśvarī, Kaumārī, and Vaiṣṇavī, among others. Although several images of the deities are described in this chapter, the procedure for making them, including measurements and materials, is recorded in a very general manner.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

B. Dagens, Mayamata, vol.2.821.