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230
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
SILPA SASTRA.
BY REV. J. F. KEARNS, MISSIONARY, S. P. G., TANJORE.
There is in Tamil a treatise on Silpa Sastra, said to have been originally composed in Sanskrit by Myen, who, according to mythology, was a son of Brahmâ and architect of the gods. The original work appears to have been disseminated far and wide, and to have suffered by omissions as well as by additions. The work under consideration seems to have been formed from selections of existing editions of the original work under the superintendence and guidance of persons having a practical knowledge of Silpa Sâstra, or at least of persons professing to have such knowledge. It has passed through a second edition, from which we may infer that the work is in demand. It were greatly to be desired that a future edition should have a competent Tamil scholar to carry it through the press, for the errors in the present edition are numerous beyond all precedent; and this, added to a bad style, renders the perusal of the book anything but a pleasant recreation. There are, besides, frequent repetitions, and many things that might be omitted without in any way impairing the value of the book as a work of art. The book is dedicated to the glory of Siva, and after the usual slokas in praise of the deities the need of a Silpan is thus stated:"Temples, towns, seaports, houses,
Tanks and wells, these require the Silpan's hand;
Construct them by the hand of another? This is said to be equal to the sin of murder." The study of the Atharvána Veda, the 32 Šilpa treatises, a perfect knowledge of the Vedic mantras, by which images are inspired with the indwelling presence of deity, are necessary to the Silpan who desires to understand his profession thoroughly.
The book next gives the cubit measure as follows:
"Eight atoms make one cotton fibre (in thickness),
Eight fibres make one hair (in thickness), Eight hairs make one grain of sand, Eight grains of sand make one mustard seed, Eight mustard-seeds make one bamboo-seed, Eight bamboo-seeds make one finger, Six fingers make one quarter-cubit, Twelve fingers make half a cubit,
[AUGUST, 1876.
Eighteen fingers make three-quarters of a cubit (this latter is termed matthibam), Twenty-four fingers make one cubit. This measure is also called Jâthi and Mâmangulam. It is used by Brâhmans, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras."
But although this is the standard of measurement for all four castes, the instrument itself is constructed of a different material for each. The rule is as follows:
For Brâhmans the measure should be of bamboo, For Kshatriyas it should be constructed of ebony, For Vaisyas it should be of teak, For Sudras of the red vengai (Atropa Mandagora).
As a preliminary to all work, the exact position of Vasthu-purusha (the god of the earth) must be accurately ascertained. He is represented as sleeping, standing, walking, reclining, &c., and the exact time of each of these is of the utmost importance, for each duration of time has an influence for good or evil towards the man who wishes to build. His sleeping-time is very unlucky. To ascertain these times, a marvellous amount of astrological calculation has to be got through. In the months of Sitterai, Vaykasi, Adi, Avarni, Aipasi, Kârtika, Tai, and Masi he is "standing or up." But having ascertained so much, it is still necessary to ascertain the lucky days in these months. Accordingly we are told
The 10th of Sitterai, the 21st of Vaykasi, the 11th of Adi, the 6th of Avarni, the 8th of Aipasi, the 8th of Karttika, the 21st of Masi, and the 12th of Tai-on these days Vasthûpurusha is up: these are proper days.
Having gone so far, we have still further to go, for we have to ascertain the auspicious hours of these days. Here they are:
The 8th Indian hour of the day in Tai, the 10th of Kârttika, the 2nd of Adi, the 5th of Sitterai, the 21st of Avarni, and the 8th Indian hour of the day in Aipasi.
There is very much more to be ascertained regarding Vasthu-purusha before the house-post is set up; and to deter people from venturing to build before ascertaining everything about Vasthu, and, having ascertained all necessary knowledge, to compel them to build accordingly, we are told
