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Ritual Offerings to the Deities of the Site

...If the site is afflicted by sin or disease, one should offer curds and rice. To the deities of the directions, specifically to the Lord of the Gods Indra and Agni, one should offer various cooked grains and sweets. || 31 || For the purification of the site, one should offer gold, gems, and pearls. In the designated spots, one should place small lamps and incense. To the North-East, offer milk and curds; to the South, offer grains, sandalwood paste, and water mixed with sugar. || 32 || To the spirits of the earth, offer clarified butter Ghee and honey. To the wind-gods, offer milk, ghee, and Guggulu a fragrant resin used in incense along with wheat. || 33 ||

With dancing and music, one should honor the Earth-Bearer Dharadhara. Offer a cow that gives milk, a pot of ghee, and perform the rites as prescribed in the traditional texts Smriti. || 34 || To the spirits of the air, offer wine and various cooked meats. To the spirits of the intermediate directions, offer red rice and flowers to appease any lingering sins or negative energies. || 35 || Those who know the science of architecture should offer cooked meat and wine to the guardians of the quarters, starting from the East. || 36 || He who worships the site in this manner will never face misfortune.

He shall live for a hundred years in happiness and enjoy the heavens for an entire cosmic age Kalpa. || 37 ||

Thus ends the second chapter, named "Characteristics of the Site," in the Royal Favorite original: "Rajavallabha" treatise on the Science of Architecture original: "Vastu Shastra".

Chapter 3: On Dimensions and Proportions

Now, the methods for determining the auspicious stars, lunar days, and planetary positions are described, for without these, the building may bring disease or loss of fame. Therefore, the formulas for Aya income/gain and other proportions are told. Odd numbers are best for the houses of the gods. || 1 ||

In the construction of palaces, temples, and royal residences, the measurements should be taken using the "Hand" Hasta a unit of measure roughly 18-24 inches prescribed in the scriptures. For the houses of laborers, the measurement of the master's own hand may be used. The Aya is calculated by fingers Angula and other units. In the city, the measurement is done by the "Staff" Danda. || 2 ||

The wise architect should determine the proportions for the courtyard, the temple, the pavilion Mandapa, and the thickness of the walls. || 3 || In the halls of the gods, the houses of the learned, and in water-works, one must calculate the expansion and contraction. For the houses of the common people, the "Flag" Dhvaja proportion is best; for those who live by fire, the "Smoke" Dhuma proportion. The "Lion" Simha proportion is for thrones and the gates of kings. || 4 || The "Dog" proportion is for the lowest castes, the "Bull" for merchants, and the "Elephant" for the palaces of kings.