वास्तु मण्डन (मण्डन सूत्रधार - गृह, राजप्रासाद, दुर्ग एवं नगर-वास्तु सटीक)

xvi Vāstumaṇḍana Uniqueness of this book lies in a particular field; that is, on the fort architecture. This is probably the only book where the description of a fort, the remains of which still exist near Udaipur, could be located. This book gives original blueprint of the planning of that particular fort. It is traced from other references that Maṇḍana himself, during the rule of Rāṇā Kumbhā, built this fort. The remains of the boundary wall of the fort, even today, look like that of the great China wall. Vāstumaṇḍana provides the detailed description of the fort as well as those of palace and its inside. BASIC TOPICS Topics of the book can be divided into four main groups;

1. Astrology, astronomy, and ecology.
2. Fort and palace architecture.
3. Building architecture – śālā houses, etc.
4. Different components of the house. CHAPTERS ON ASTROLOGY, ASTRONOMY & ECOLOGY Vāstumaṇḍana clearly indicates ardent passion of Rāṇā Kumbhā towards astronomy and astrology. In his time, astrologers were hired to execute activities and works within the ambit of the entire kingdom. Astronomy was closely related to astrology and Rāṇā Kumbhā being the astronomer himself, observed intently the movements of the planets based on which important decisions were taken. Every step of construction activities, from the onset to the conclusion was governed by the decisive and instrumental influence of astronomy and astrology. The very first chapter starts with the description of good and evil yogas, position of the stars, solar and lunar zodiacs, etc. All these were incisively scrutinized at the outset of any new construction. In all sorts of construction the book categorically mentions of the lagna, tithi, vāra, auspicious for the owner as well as that of the influence of lunar zodiacs. With the help of astrology or owner's zodiac sign, the author tried to determine the direction of one's house plan. According to him a person having zodiac signs of pisces, scorpio or leo shall have his house facing toward East and so on (Ch 1. Śl 41–42). In this connection the book The Royal Palaces of India, may be referred which says the plan of Jaipur was based on a maṇḍala with the royal residence in the middle. Its rectangular grid plan is tilted at an angle of 12 degree East to North to coincide with Leo, the astrological sign of Kacchwaha dynasty. Thus it is distinctly evident that Vidyādhara Bhaṭṭācārya, the planner of Jaipur city kept in mind the verdict of Maṇḍana Sūtradhāra and acted accordingly.