Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 406

Sec. VI] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA 381
SIXTH SECTION
Fine Arts Architecture
The BLS provides a good deal of information regarding the development of Architecture' which included the planning and founding of cities, towns and villages, the erection of buildings of different types, palaces, council halls, forts, gateways, decorative designs, selection of sites, examination of the soil, preparation of building materials with proper selection, and laying out the foundation and the like. Carpentry, wood carving, stone masonry, etc., were also associated with the art of house-building.
In connection with the topic 'Houses' it has already been pointed out in the seventh section of the fourth chapter that 'Architecture' as one of the branches of Fine Arts was highly developed and patronized by the kings and nobles of that period.
The evidences of the architectural development as revealed in this canonical work are fully corroborated by those of other Jaina texts which refer to Vatthuvijja (art of house building) as one of the important arts studied and cultivated by the Vatthupādhagas." There an architect (vaddhai) was regarded as one of the fourteen Jewels'.
It is stated that in the case of constructing a new building in a city a proper examination of the land and its levelling were made before digging the earth and laying the foundation on a well pressed ground; then it was erected by the mason with the building materials, such as, bricks, rings, (undiyão) cast on different places, etc.
The text throws some light upon the construction of buildings, walls, etc., by making incidental references to
1 Avasyaka Cūrņi, II, p. 177. • Jambi Sutra, 3, 55, p. 229. Vide 'Life in Ancient India'
by Dr. J.C.Jain, p. 187. : Brhatkalpa Bhasya Pithikā 331 3; also Cf. Digha Nikāya-1,
p. 9; Milindapanha, pp. 331. 345.