The Science of House Building (1889) - Page 20

Measurement for Driving the Foundation Stakes

The length of the stake should be eleven fingers A traditional unit of measurement based on the width of a finger, or it may increase by one finger up to twenty-four fingers in total. When driving these stakes, first determine the center of the Vastu Purusha The "spirit of the site" or cosmic man inhabiting the ground at the belly, then proceed to the southern corner and continue in a clockwise direction.

(Meaning) The length of the stake should be between 11 and 24 fingers. When driving the stakes, one must first identify the belly of the Vastu deity, then drive the first stake in the southwest corner, followed by the southeast, northeast, and northwest corners. (67)

Faults in Timber Joining and Door Placement

If a driven stake is knocked or pulled out, if the measuring rope snaps while being held, if a pillar is planted and then removed, if a single timber is joined in the middle of the house, or if a planned doorway is moved to a different location—death will surely follow such violations of the law.

(Meaning) It is a severe defect Dosha: a spiritual flaw or negative influence to knock or pull out a stake once driven, to snap the thick measuring rope, to uproot a pillar after it has been set, to join timber in the center of the house, or to alter the position of a doorway once it has been established. (68)

Defects in the Roof Ridge and Ropes

If the roof ridge is crooked or if the ropes are crossed while building the house, it will result in terminal illness. The inhabitants will face distress, and the mistress of the house will suffer from deep-seated enmity and hardship; this is the truth.

(Meaning) Building a house where the roof ridge is misaligned or where the structural ropes are crossed will manifest as terrible defects. (69)

Extensions and Upper Floors

If a house is extended toward the West or South, great faults will arise. If extended toward the North or East, it will bring attraction and prosperity. Excessive projections or slants are not good; likewise, crooked corners or misaligned upper floors are forbidden.

(Meaning) One should not extend a house toward the West or South. Extending toward the North or East is beneficial. However, having excessive projections, slants, or building upper floors with crooked, receding corners is prohibited. (70)

Rules for the Sacred Thread for the Four Classes

For the Brahmin The priestly class, use a thread made of Dharba grass Desmostachya bipinnata, a sacred grass used in rituals with three strands. For the King Kshatriya/Ruling class, use a thread made of cotton with two strands. For the Merchant Vaishya class, use two strands made of palm fiber. For the wise Farmer Shudra/Laboring class, use two strands made of fiber from the Atthi Ficus racemosa or Cluster Fig tree tree.