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SILPA SASTRA.
AUGUST, 1876.]
box is kept in a certain part of the house, astrologically determined upon. The rule regarding the construction of the box is as follows:--
"Take clay from a crab's hole, clay from the horn of an elephant-i.e. clay that an elephant has on its tusk after butting the earth-clay from an anthill, clay from the horns of a bull-i.e. after butting the earth; mix them well together and form the box. Divide the box into nine parts, put diamonds into it, reverence it, and then bury it in the north-east point of your house, and happiness will ensue."
The next order pertains to "Doors" :"If the door of the house closes of itself, having been opened, it is a sign of long life to the householder. If it closes with a creaking noise, it is a sign that the house will perish. If it stands as one leaves it, it is a sign of long life and happiness.
"If it moves like the two pulses vatham and pittham, it is as though one said, Drive a nail in the centre bar:' disease. without end shall dwell in that house.
"If the door makes a noise like an oil-mill, the happiness of having sons shall not be found in that house. The householder's wife shall die, and distraction of mind shall ensue."
The author next passes on to the consideration of trees, of which he gives us three classes:"Male Trees.
"A tree that is strong and thick like a pillar that is long, straight, and regular-is a male
tree.
"Female Trees.
"A tree with a thick base, a pointed, narrow trunk, and small at the top, is a female tree. "Hermaphrodite Trees.
"Slender and long in the middle of the trunk and having a thick head, this without doubt is an hermaphrodite tree."
"Male trees serve for pillars; female trees for wall-plates, beams, and capitals; hermaphrodite trees serve for cross-joists, joists, and rafters."
"The mango is proper for temples, the margosa for Brahmans' houses, the teak for Kshatriyas, the illuppai for Cheṭṭis, and the vengai
for Vellalars' houses."
Our author now proceeds to treat of trees.
The three trees here classed under Ficus are now all referred to genus Urostigma. There are two Silk-cotton trees, Bombas malabaricum and Cochlospermum gossy
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Concerning Trees.
"For houses there are trees proper for their construction, and trees that are unsuitable; we shall now declare the trees that are suitable for gods and men.
"Trees from a place of public resort, trees from a village or from the precincts of a temple, trees that have been burnt, trees in which are birds' nests, trees growing on anthills, trees in which are honeycombs, trees fruiting out of season, trees supporting creepers, trees in which maggots dwell, trees growing close to tanks or wells, trees planted in the earth but reared by constant watering, trees broken by elephants, trees blown down by the wind, trees in burning-grounds, in forsaken places, or in places which had been paracherts, withered trees, trees in which snakes live, trees in places where there are hobgoblins, devils, or corpses. trees that have fallen down of themselves,these are all bad trees and to be avoided: if one uses such trees in his house, evil shall befall him.
"The Ficus racemosa, Ficus indica, Ficus virens, the Silk-cotton tree, the Butea frondosa, the Abrus, the Jujuba, the first leaf of a Palmyra. the Makirla (?), the Woodapple*-all these are to be avoided: for if any of them are used in the construction of a house, the wealth of the householder will decrease, his children will die. and poverty and affliction will be his lot."
Our author now gives us the auspicious days for setting up the posts, rafters, &c. :
"On Monday set up the posts, on Wednesday place the rafters, on Friday thatch the house, and on Thursday take up residence. Like Indra, the householder will have long life and happiness."
Our author next treats of certain astrological observations that are necessary in order to ascertain what the ground selected as a site may contain within itself, and on the discovery then made the person who intends to build is expected to act. He commences ir regularly by at once stating what observations are to be made, while a little further on he gives a complete list of the things that may be found and which affect the silpan.
We shall commence with the list; meantime
pium. Butea frondosa is commonly known as 'Dhak' or Palas, Jujuba as 'Bher; and the Wood-apple is either Egle marmelos or Feronia elephantum.-ED.
