समराङ्गणसूत्रधार (महाराज भोज - वास्तु, स्थापत्य एवं यंत्र शास्त्र)

SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS The detailed contents of the Samarāṅgaṇa Sūtradhāra are shown in the Sanskrit analysis prepared by the previous editor, T. Gaṇapati Śāstrī. Here is a small synopsis of contents showing the principal subjects in English. Now I will speak chapter-wise. Ch. 1, entitled Mahāsamāgamana is introductory, stating that this Vāstu- śāstra follows the tradition of Viśvakarmā, who was commanded by Brahmā to place the various settlements and buildings, make the earth free from fear and worthy of habitation. Ch. 2, a dialogue between Viśvakarmā and his four sons, Jaya, Vijaya, Siddhārtha and Aparājita, who were commissioned by the father to build all kinds of Vāstu monuments in the four direction. Ch. 3, Praśna relates to questions of Jaya about the extent, nature and geography of the earth and heavenly constellations. Ch. 4, Mahadādisarga deals with the creation of Mahat (the Universal), Ahaṁkāra (the Individed Ego) and the five Tanmātras by Brahmā, who was born on the lotus, springing from the navel of Viṣṇu. Ch. 5, Bhuvanakośa deals with the length, breadth and circumference of the earth as well as of the seven continents and oceans. Ch. 6, Sahadevādhikāra depicts the age when gods and men lived together in a state of nature and obtained all their wants from the Kalpa-vṛkṣa or Wish- fulfilling Tree. Ch. 7, Varṇāśramavibhāga deals with the four classes of society and the four stages of life. Ch. 8, Bhūmiparīkṣā deals with the examination of the earth and the varieties of its clay prior to building. Ch. 9, Hastalakṣaṇa gives the measurement of a hasta or cubit, which was equal to twenty four aṅgulas or eighteen inches. Ch. 10, Puraniveśa deals with town planning of three sizes, big, intermediate and small, each having its contingent of moat, city wall, gateways, towers, roads and buildings. Ch. 11, Vāstutrayavibhāga,, deals with the three kinds of the site plan, divided into sixty four, eighty-one and hundred padas or squares like those on the graph, each serving as the station of a deity.