Part 7.2 - Stambha-bheda (various kinds of columns)

[Note: This article is part of the series: pādapramāṇa-dravya-parigraha-vidhāna (Measurement of the pillars and regulation of the acquisition of materials)]

There are eighteen types of pillar mentions in the texts Mayamata. They are generally known by names of some deities. They are—

1. pratistambha, 
2. nikhātastambha, 
3. jhaṣāla-stambha, 
4. brahmakānta, 
5. viṣṇukānta, 
6. indrakānta, 
7. saumya, 
8. rudrakānta, 
9. madhey aṣṭāsra, 
10. rudracchanda, 
11. padmāsana, 
12. bhadraka, 
13. śuṇḍapāda, 
14. citrakhaṇḍa, 
15. śrikhaṇḍa, 
16. śrivajra and
17. kṣepaṇa.^[1]

Pratistambha pillar is to be arranged from prati (stereobate) to uttara (architrave). This pillar is to be placed above janma (plinth, a part of base). Maya says that to build a nikhātastambha a deep pit should be made and a floor (tala) is conducted over it. Therefore this pillar is to be installed. This type of pillar rises from pāduka (plinth) and grows up to the uttara (architrave).

The jhaṣala-stambha started from the adhiṣṭhāna (base) and build up to the uttara (architrave) and this pillar is six to twelve parts wider at the top than at the base. 

Maya says that:

adhiṣṭhānottarāntaḥstho jhaṣālastaṃbha ucyate |
tadvayāsādarkabhāgādyaṃ ṣaḍbhāgonāgravistaraḥ ||

(Mayamata 15.11)

The pillar, which is square in shape and decorated with kumbha (bell capital) and maṇḍi, is called Brahmakānra. The eight-angled pillar is called Viṣṇukānta.

The hexagonal pillar is called the Indrakānta. The sixteen-angled pillar is called Saumya. These angled columns are square at the base and then transition to octagonal, hexagonal, or circular shapes. This type of column is known as Pūrvāstra. If the circular pillar is complete with kumbha (bell capital) and maṇḍi, it is called Rudrakānta. In the context of traditional Indian architecture, a maṇḍi refers to a decorative element often found on pillars. This design can include floral patterns, geometric shapes, and sometimes depictions of mythological scenes or figures. According to ‘A dictionary of Hindu Architecture’ maṇḍi means: ‘the crowning part of the capital of a column’^[2] …

If the length of the pillar is twice its width, with an octagonal middle section, square shapes at the top and bottom, and without kumbha (bell capital) and maṇḍi, it is called Madhey aṣṭāsra (octagonal in the middle). The pillar known as Rudrachhanda has a square base, an octagonal middle section, and a circular top. The pillar known as Padmāsana features a lotus design at its base, with a height of one and a half to two daṇḍa and twice its width. The upper part of this pillar can be decorated with any desired shape or a maṇḍi.

The pillar known as Bhadraka has a base with a lotus design padmāsana, two maṇḍis with the shape of a chakravāka (a type of bird), and a bhadra (auspicious symbol) in the middle. In the text Kāmikāgama, a similar description can be found when describing the Bhadrakānta pillar. 

It is stated that:

mūlepadmāsanācśātha cakravākairalaṅkṛta |
sabhadramadhyabhāgaśca madhyakānta dvipiṇḍikaḥ || (Īśānaśiva-gurupaddhati 31.24)

[At the base, adorned with a lotus seat and decorated with chakravaka birds. The middle part is elegant, with a middle portion decorated with double circular elements.]^[3]

A pillar with decorations of vyala (mythical creatures), elephants, lions, and other beings at its base, and an upper part designed in any desired shape, is named according to its decorations.

A pillar with the design of an elephant trunk and adorned with a kumbha (bell capital) and maṇḍi is called a śūṇḍapāda pillar.

When pearls are carved throughout the entire śūṇḍapāda pillar, it is called a piṇḍipāda. The citrakhaṇḍa pillar has a square section at the top measuring two daṇḍa in height. Below this is an octagonal padma (lotus design) measuring half a daṇḍa. Below that is a sixteen-angled padma measuring one daṇḍa, followed by a square middle section also measuring one daṇḍa. Below this, another sixteen-angled padma is created, and the remaining part of the pillar is square. This type of pillar is called citrakhaṇḍa. If the middle section is octagonal, the pillar is called śrikhaṇḍa.

If the middle section of the aforementioned pillar has sixteen angles, it is called śrivajra. The front part of the kṣepaṇa pillar is square in shape. A kṣepaṇa pillar has three sections and is decorated with leaves and other designs. Below this, the pillar has a base divided into three or four parts. All pillars are adorned with potika (small decorative elements) and various types of designs.

Maya describes eighteen distinct types of pillars, each named after deities and possessing unique structural and decorative features. These pillars are significant in traditional architecture and offer a variety of forms and ornamentations.

Here we give brief information depending on above mentioned illustration.

Pratistambha: Built from the stereobate to the architrave, placed above the plinth.

Nikhātastambha: Installed in a deep pit, rising from the plinth to the architrave.

Jhaṣāla-stambha: Extends from the base to the architrave, wider at the top.

Brahmakānta: Square in shape, decorated with kumbha and maṇḍi.

Viṣṇukānta: Eight-angled.

Indrakānta: Hexagonal.

Saumya: Sixteen-angled.

Rudrakānta: Circular with kumbha and maṇḍi.

Madhey aṣṭāsra: Square at the top and bottom, octagonal in the middle.

Rudrachhanda: Square base, octagonal middle, circular top.

Padmāsana: Lotus design at the base, with a height of one and half and two daṇḍa.

Bhadraka: Lotus base, two maṇḍis shaped like a chakravāka, and a bhadra in the middle.

Śūṇḍapāda: Elephant trunk design along its length, with kumbha and maṇḍi.

Piṇḍipāda: Śūṇḍapāda pillar with carved pearls.

Citrakhaṇḍa: Square section at the top, octagonal and sixteen-angled padmas, with a square middle section.

Śrikhaṇḍa: Similar to Citrakhaṇḍa but with an octagonal middle section.

Śrivajra: Similar to Śrikhaṇḍa but with a sixteen-angled middle section.

Kṣepaṇa: Square front part, three sections, decorated with leaves and other designs, with a base divided into three or four parts.

These pillars are an integral part of traditional Indian architecture. Such pillars not only provide the ancient architectural practices but also underscore the cultural and religious significances. The detailed descriptions of these pillars reflect the advanced craftsmanship of Indian architectural traditions.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Vide. Mayamata, vol.1.p.181-185

[2]:

P. K.Acharya, A dictionary of Hindu Architecture, p-491

[3]:

Translated by the researcher