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Vol XXII, 1998
THE VASTU-VIDYA OF VARAHAMIHIRA
extremities of the latter having the fourth terrace (eastern), Rucaka, having two terraces touching the ends in the west and east, and touching these two internally two more and one door on each side except in the north of these Sarvatobhadra was suitable for kings and other persons of eminence, while Nandyävarta and Vardhamana are said to be best for all the Svastika moderate 37
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Of the three-chambered (trisalaka) houses, Varāhamıhira has referred to four types, viz, Hiranyagarbha, a three-halled house without a northern hall, Suksetra, a house without an eastern hall, Culli, lacking a southern hall, and Paksaghna, without a hall in the west Out of these the first two are spoken of with approval, while the last two are regarded as inauspicious
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As for the two-chambered (dv-sälaka) houses, Varähamıhıra has mentioned six types, viz, Siddhartha, Yamasurya, Danda Vata, Grhaculli and Kaca, according as they had chambers in the west and south, west and north, north and east, east and south, east and west, and south and north of these only the first type was considered to be auspicious and the rest inauspicious
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Varahamıhira is very particular in his recommendations about the selection of a site for building a house Thus, he recommends that the soil that is soft, even and of sweet adour and taste, that is not hollow from inside, and that abounds in commendable herbs, trees and creepers is highly suitable for the purpose He advises that a house should not be constructed close to the residence of a minister or a rogue, a temple, a cattya tree and a cremation ground, or facing a cross-road, and on a site shaped like a tortoise and abounding in anthills and holes "Here, he seems to be prompted by the desire to provide an hygienic and peaceful environment and to ensure the durability of the structure Further, he disapproves the presence of water to the east, south-east, south, south-west, west and north-west of a house, while he approves of that to the north and north-east 42
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He gives us three modes of testing the soil As per the first mode, a circular pir, one cubit in diameter and depth, should be dug in the centre of the site, it should be filled again with the same earth; according as the pit is insufficiently filled, just filled and overfilled, the site in question should be regarded the worst, the moderate and the best respectively As per second mode, the pit should be filled with water which was allowed to remain for the time required for a hundred steps, if the water is not diminished, the site is
