________________
THE VĀSTU-VIDYĀ OF VARĀHAMIHIRA
N. M. Kansara
Varāhamıhıra (505 A D) was a scientist of rare merits, who in spite of his regard for ancient traditions and sages, followed always the scientific method In view of his extraordinary and masterly treatment of the subject of astronomy and astrology in all their ramifications, he was held in high esteem by scholars of ancient and medieval India About his greatness Alberuni (11th cent A D ), the Arab scholar and traveller, testified that he had already revealed himself as a man who accurately knew the shape of the world, and on the whole his foot stood firmly on the basis of the truth, and that he clearly spoke out the truth Varāhamıhıra is supposed to have been one of the nine traditional gems in the court of a mythical Vikramāditya?, and is thus stated to be a contemporary of Kālıdāsa, a poet of unrivalled fame? The Brhatsamhitā, usually classed under the astronomical and astrological treatises, is but a semi-Purāna, dealing, as it does, with heterogeneous subjects like the Purānas themselves in this treatise there are but five chapters devoted to both architecture and sculpture But the subjects have been treated with a master hand The chapters open with a definition of the science of architecture, and the author goes on to describe, briefly but succinctly and to the point, the sutable building sites, testing of soil, general plan, comparative measures of storeys and doors, and carvings thereon, and other important parts of the buildings
The preliminary subjects are described in the opening chapter No 53, entitled "Vāstuvidya" Then follows a description of the buildings proper, in chapter No 56, entitled Prāsāda-laksanam, under the same twenty types as in the Matsyapurāna and the Bhavisyapurāna, the names and details being identical The preparation of cement is discussed in a separate chapter No 57, entitled Vajralepa-laksanam'. One whole chapter No 79, entitled 'Sayyā-laksanam', is devoted to the construction of the necessary articles of house-furniture, such as bedsteads, couches, and seats Quite consistently with a sense of proportion Varāhamıhıra devotes only one chapter No 58, enttled 'Pratimā-laksanam' to sculpture, where, too, the details of images are described in a scientific manner
