Vastu Shastra

VASTU: A place where living beings reside Later it came on to include not only the site but also the dwelling built upon it Eventually, neadsteads, thrones, chariots, images, paintings, etc.

Information gathered from: 1. 2. 3. Literary sources Sculptural sources Murals, representations on murals

Rig ved doesnot have any mention of ways of building. Atharva ved contains hymns recited during the building of the house. These codes spoke of proportions and systems of construction.

Vastupurusha

According to vastu shastra,, the vastupurusha mandala can be drawn in 32 ways

The simplest one consists of a square; all others result from the division of this square into 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49.,64, 81 and so on up to 1024 small squares, i.e. padas.

The size in which it is drawn is immaterial.

In a plan for a large area, it can regulate the disposition of various buildings. In the plan of a temple, it can define the rhythm of the architectural members or the proportion between the thickness of the wall and the size of the interior.

The geometric form of vastupurusha mandala can be explained by reference to the Vedic sacrificial rite, during the performance of which Aryans carried braziers from one altar to another.

ROUND & SQUARE The round altar symbolizes the celestial world A square altar symbolizes the terrestrial world

A round altar symbolizes movement, the cyclical movement of time A square can not be moved by itself, but it is final and unequivocal form. As perfect from it is used by the Hindus to indicate the absolute.

TIME & SPACE Time enters the mandala by coordinate the signs of the zodiac Space enters the mandala by orienting the square towards the four or eight cardinal points.

Planning Principles
In the planning of a town or village, one first has to ascertain which vastu purusha mandala is appropriate. The priest astrologer chooses it out of the 32 possibilities.

The town wall has to be erected along the outer border of the mandala The streets run from north to soutn and from east to west along the lines marking off the padas from one another. A mandala of 64 padas is recommended over others.

Prescription of a city, town or market centre: 1. 2. A broad royal way crosses the entire city N-S & E-W following the median line of the diagram. In cities, this royal pathway should be 12 metres wide, in towns, 10 metres, and in markets, 8 metres. The processional way runs continuously along the inner side of the wall too. 3. 4. 5. It should be wide enough for princely processions and for troops to march. Royal pathways are continued outside the 4 gopurams placed on 4 cardinal axis. Slightly narrower are the large carrier ways 6m. 5m. 4m respectively. Pedastrians are not allowed on these, as it is reserved for carriages and elephants. 6. 7. Narrowest streets simple carriage ways have separate footpaths on either ways. Certain quarters and streets in the city are reserved for certain castes and professional groups respectively.