Royal Astrology

The measurement of a village or city, its treasuries and boundaries, is calculated in Yojanas a traditional unit of distance, roughly 8-9 miles. For temples, palaces, and houses, the measurement is by the Hasta cubit; the length from elbow to fingertip. For vehicles, seats, and beds, the measurement is determined by the Angula finger-width. || 34 ||

The science of Vastu architecture/habitation was first revealed by Brahma, then passed to Vishvakarma the divine architect, and then to Vishnu. Sages and gods reside within this knowledge. One must understand the center and the periphery, for in the center lies the victory of the divine. || 35 ||

The winds and the works of Vishvakarma are threefold in their nature and application. The forms are Ishana Northeast, Vittapati Lord of Wealth/North, Nishakara Moon/Northwest, Jayanta, Shri, Vasudeva, and Vishnu. These are the twenty-three deities of the directions. || 35 || Now, regarding the afflictions: if the deities are troubled, it leads to disease, loss of wealth, suffering for the subjects, and even death or destruction. One must place the deities in their proper order to avoid such ruin. || 36 ||

The distance between the hand and the sun likely a reference to gnomon shadow measurements must be maintained in the foundation of temples and dwellings. If a Hasta cubit is lost or added suddenly during the work, it manifests as an obstacle to the festival or the completion of the task. || 37 ||

A Tala is twelve Matras in measure. Two Talas make a span. A Danda staff is four cubits. Two thousand Dandas make a Krosha, and four Kroshas make a Yojana. Thus, the wise calculate the extent of the earth in hundreds of Yojanas. || 38 ||

dh Scribal mark

tr Scribal mark

One should contemplate the water and the thread leveling and alignment with a focused mind. The thread brings auspiciousness when placed according to the rules. || 39 ||

Thus ends the First Chapter on the Measurement of Mixed Arts in the Rajavallabha The "King's Beloved" treatise by Mandana Vastu Shastra. || 1 ||

In the beginning, from the fall of the drops of sweat from the brow of Shiva during his battle with the demon, the Vastu Purusha the personification of the building site was born. He fell facedown upon the earth. The gods then sat upon him to restrain him, and thus he became the dwelling-place of the gods. This must be known by the wise. || 1 ||

In temples, houses, ponds, gardens, wells, or stepped wells, and in the restoration of old cities or sacrificial sites, one must not place the door incorrectly. Without the proper ritual for the "Shambhu" auspicious corner, there will be certain loss. One must consider the intersection of the three lines and the corners. || 2 ||

The site is divided into a grid. For ordinary houses, a grid of 64 squares is used, but for temples and palaces, a grid of 81 squares the Paramashayika Mandala is prescribed. || 3 || In the temples of kings, in cities, and in all new constructions or restorations, the 81-square grid brings prosperity. || 4 ||

In the temple, the wind-portion and all materials must be consecrated in the pavilion. || 5-6 || For stepped wells, ponds, and gardens, the measurements are doubled. This is the second section, following the finger-width measurements.