Science of House-Building

original: "Manaiyadi Sastram" — a traditional Vastu Shastra manual for architecture

(Meaning) When joining timber, if the "old head" the thicker, base end of the timber is placed below and the "young head" the thinner, top end is placed above, it is a harmonious arrangement. If the old head is placed inside and the young head is placed outside, it is considered good. If this is done incorrectly, disease and ruin will occur. If the young head is placed below and the old head is placed above, illness will result. (76)

Place both old heads together in the Southwest corner.
When joining them permanently, let the southern head be on top.
Place both young heads in the Northeast corner.
The rule states the northern head should be placed below when binding them.

(Meaning) Place both old heads in the Southwest corner, keeping the southern head on top. Place both young heads so they fit into the Northern corner, binding them so the northern head is below. (77)

The two young heads should not be joined in any other place.
Except for the prosperous corners mentioned, if they are joined
elsewhere, great disease and suffering will take hold.
So said the clear-minded sages who researched the inner secrets.

(Meaning) The two young heads must not be joined anywhere except the Northeast corner. The two old heads must not be joined anywhere except the Southwest corner. If joined elsewhere, poverty and disease will arise.

Divide half of the expanse into twelve parts.
Five parts for the filling?, five for the height...
The following section contains technical ratios for structural members
Six is the "man" Purusha, seven is the "season" Ritu, eight is the "sloping edge" Kodakai, and nine is the "pinnacle" Koti.

(Meaning) Divide half of the expanse into twelve parts. Five parts for the base, six for the Purusha, seven for the Ritu, eight for the Amilasai/Kodakai, and nine for the Koti. (78)

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Rules for Joining Beams After Identifying Good and Bad Wood

For storied houses, palaces, and temples,
In the long, intersecting rows of the virgin-path Kanni-paththi: a specific architectural alignment,
Measure the holes of the gathered timbers;
Knowing these instructions and the "Elephant's State" Anaiyin-nilai: a specific structural measurement or omen (80)

If you wish to join the beams, listen all you in the world:
Measure the interior of the house and divide it into a hundred distances.
Seeing the form clearly with a plumb line,
This is the good rule spoken for joining. (81)

If the joining of the beams UtthiramMain supporting cross-beam is done strongly in this world,
Through that, many internal blessings will flourish.