The Science of House-Building

The lineage is established, the mind is exceedingly pure;
Avoiding lower associations, he attains excellence through wisdom.

(Meaning) One who wears golden ornaments, a ring on the finger of valor, and a traditional hair-knot original: "kudumi", possessing a divine physique, noble lineage, and a pure heart—avoiding the company of those outside the sacred craft—is a true Master Architect Shilpacharya: a master of the arts and sciences of construction. (49)

---

The Same Subject

Being pure, reciting the Vedas, wearing clean garments,
Mind and speech becoming one, casting away anger,
Performing daily rituals and worship with completeness,
It is his nature to recite the scholarly texts every morning.

(Meaning) The Master Architect must remain clean, recite the sacred scriptures original: "Vedas", and wear pure clothing or a sacred thread. With a clear and distinguished mind, his thoughts and words must be in harmony. He must abandon anger, complete his daily spiritual observances and divine worship without fail, and study the architectural treatises original: "Shilpa Shastra" in the early morning hours. (50)

---

Measurement of the Cubit-Rod

The fine atom, the tip of a hair, fine sand, a sesame seed, and a grain of paddy;
The described pigeon pea—eight of these make a finger-width.
By counting six of these, a quarter-cubit is formed;
With four of those quarters, take the measurement of one cubit-rod.

(Meaning) Regarding the cubit-rod Muzhakkol: a traditional linear unit of measurement: 8 atoms original: "Anuvu" make 1 hair-tip; 8 hair-tips make 1 grain of fine sand; 8 grains of sand make 1 sesame seed; 8 sesame seeds make 1 grain of paddy; 8 grains of paddy make 1 pigeon pea; 8 pigeon peas make 1 finger-width Viral: roughly 3/4 of an inch. 6 finger-widths make 1 quarter-cubit; 4 quarter-cubits make 1 full cubit. (51)

---

Another Variation

The 'Kidagu' cubit is for the tillers of the soil;
The prosperous 'Prajapatyam' is for the merchants;
The measured 'Danumudi' finger-length is for the kings;
The described 'Danukkiragam' is for the priests.

(Meaning) The measurement called Kidagu, consisting of 24 finger-widths, is the cubit designated for the Vellalars the agricultural community. The measurement called Prajapatyam, consisting of 25 finger-widths, is the cubit for the Vaishyas the merchant community. The measurement called Danumudi, consisting of 26 finger-widths, is the cubit for Kings Kshatriyas. The measurement called Danukkiragam, consisting of 27 finger-widths, is the cubit for Brahmins the priestly community. (52)

Know that eight pigeon peas make one finger-width;
Six of those established finger-widths make one span original: "Saan".