कामिक आगम: पूर्व भाग (अष्टाविंशति मूल शैव आगमों का प्रथम एवं सर्वोच्च आगम महाकोश)

५१ आद्येष्टका विधिः
51 A'DYES"T'AKA' VIDHIH
51 Directions for Placing the First Bricks
आद्यष्टका विधानं तु वक्ष्ये हर्म्यादिके क्रमात् ।
ऐन्द्रे वा चोत्तरे चैशे कूटं वा मण्टपं प्रपा ।। १
भूतादि विश्वहस्तान्तं वितानाद्यैरलङ्कृतम् ।
दर्भमाला समायुक्तं दिग्गजैश्च समन्वितम् ।। २
a'dyes"t'aka'vidha'nam tu vaks"ye harmya'dikam krama't |
aindre va' cottare des'e ku't'am va' man.t'apam prapa' || 1
bhu'ta'di vis'va hasta'ntam vima'na'dyair alan'kr'tam |
darbhama'la' sama'yuktam digajais'ca samanvitam || 2
Next, in an orderly sequence, I will explain the process of placing the bricks for the first time
inside the foundation pit. This process should be adopted for the houses, temples and others.
In the north or in the north-east of the proposed costruction, a hall, a pavilion or a thatched
shed should be built. Its width may be from 5 hastas to 13 hastas. It should be decorated with
canopy and other associated things. It should be furnished with darbha bunches and images
of the directional elephants.
तन्मध्ये वेदिकां कुर्यात् तत्ति्रभागैक भागतः ।
एकहस्तं द्विहस्तं वा मुष्टिमात्र समन्वितम् ।। ३
कुण्डानि कारयेद्दिक्षु विदिक्ष्वष्टौ प्रधानकम् ।
पञ्चवाचैककुण्डं वा वृत्तं वा चतुरश्रकम् ।। ४
tanmadhye vedika'm kurya't tattribhagaika bha'gatah |
eka hastam dvihastam va' mus"t'ima'tra samanvitam || 3

kun.d'a'ni ka'rayeddiks"u vidhiks"vas"t'au pradha'nakam |
pan"ca vacaika kun.d'am va' vr'ttam va' caturas'rakam || 4
At the center of the paviloion, an altar(vedika) should be provided so as to occupy one part
out of three parts of the pavilion. Fire-pits should be designed around the altar, their measure
being one hasta, 2 hastas or a measure equal to the clenching of the fist. Four fire-pits in the
main directions and four fire-pits in the intermediary directions are to be designed. There
should be one primal fire-pit(pradhana kunda). If not nine, there may be 5 fire-pits or one
fire-pit in the form of circle or square.
विसृज्य शिल्पिनं पश्चाद्गोमयेन तु लेपयेत्।
पञ्चगव्येन संप्रोक्ष्य हृदयेनानुमन्त्रतः।। ५
visr'jya s'ilpinam pas'ca'd gomayena tu lepayet |
pan"cagavyena samproks"ya hr'dayena'numantratah || 5
Having disposed the sthapati with due honors, the Acharya should purify the interior ground
of the pavilion by besmearing the whole area with cow-dung. Then he should sprinkle the
panca-gavya(five substances got from the cow, mixed in due order and in due propotions)
over the ground with the accompaniment of hrudaya mantra and the related mantras.
त्र्यङ्गुलं तु समारभ्य चैकैकाङ्गुल वर्धनात्।
अष्टत्रिंशाङ्गुलान्तास्तु चेष्टका विस्तरा मता।। ६
एकादिद्वादशान्तानां तलानां स्यात्त्रयं त्रयम्।
अथवा विस्तरास्तासं पादव्यासं महालये।। ७
tryan'gulam tu sama'rabhya caika'n'gula vardhana't |
as"t'atrims'a'n'gula'nta'stu ves"t'aka vistara' mata' || 6
eka'di dva'das'a'nta'na'm tala'na'm sya'ttrayam trayam |
athava' vistara'sta'sam pa'davya'sam maha'laye || 7

The width of the bricks to be placed should be from 3 angulas to 38 angulas, increasing the
width by one angula at each step according to the nature of the proposed building. For the
buildings, from the single storeyed to 12 storeyed, the increment should be by 3 angulas
each time. Or , in the case of big temple, the width of the brick may be equal to the width of
the pillar(of the ground floor).
सपादार्धत्रिपादा वा द्विगुणा वा सपादकाः।
इष्टकाया इह प्रोक्तं विस्तारार्धं त्रिपादकम् ।। ८
पादं वा पञ्चभागे तु त्रिद्व्यंशं वा घनं भवेत्।
sapa'da'rdha tripa'da' va' dviguna' va' sapa'daka'h।
is"t'ka'ya' iha proktam vista'ra'rdham tripa'dakam॥ 8
pa'dam va' pan"cabha'ge tu tridvyams'am va' ghanam bhavet।
The length of the bricks should be one and one fourth, one and half, one and three fourth,
twice, or two and one fourth of their width. The thickness of the brick should be half, three-fourth,
one fourth or three parts out of five parts of the width.
आचार्य आदिशैवस्तु शिवदीक्षा समन्वितः।। ९
सुस्नातस्तु सुचिर्भूत्वा सकलीकृत विग्रहः।
सुशुक्लवस्त्रस्सोष्णीषस्सोत्तरीयस्सुभूषितः।। १०
पञ्चाङ्गभूषणोपेतस्सशिष्य परिचारकः।
a'ca'rya a'dis'aivastu s'ivadi'ks"a'samanvitah॥ 9
susna'tastu sucirbhu'tva' sakali'kr'ta vigrahah।
sus'uklavastras sos"n.i's"as sottariyas subhu's"itah॥ 10
pan"a'n'gabhu's"an.opetas sas'is"ya parica'rakah।
The Acharya who hails from the Adisaiva lineage and who has been initiated into the foremost
kind of sivadiksha(acharya abhisheka) should take bath involving mantras and mudras and
purify himself. He should maintain total identity with the form of Siva by doing the prescribed
nyasas. Being clad in pure white cloth, he should wear turban, upper garment and ornaments.
He should adorn himself with five specific ornaments prescribed for five parts of his body.
Being accompanied by his disciples and sanctified attendants, he should come to the pavilion.

इष्टकाः पञ्चगव्यैश्च क्षालयेद्वर्मणा गुरुः ।। ११
हेमकौतुक सूत्रेण कार्पोसोत्थेन बन्धयेत्।
is"t'ka'h pan"cagavyais'ca ks"a'layed varman.a' guruh // 11
hemakautuka su'tren.a ka'rpasotthena bandhayet /
The Guru(Acharya) should purify the bricks to be placed first by sprinkling ‘pancagavya’
over them with the accompaniment of kavaca mantra. Then he should tie the thread made
of gold or cotton around the bricks.
स्थण्डिलं कारयेद्विद्वान् अष्टद्रोणैश्च शालिभिः ।। १२
तदर्धं तण्डुलोपेतं तण्डुलार्धतिलान्वितम् ।
तिलार्धं लाजसंयुक्तं दर्भैश्चैव समन्वितम् ।। १३
इदमुत्तमकल्पं स्यात्तदर्धं मध्यमिष्यते ।
तदर्धं अधमं ज्ञेयं सर्वत्रैव विनिर्मितम् ।। १४
लिखित्वाष्टदलं पद्मं कर्णिकाकेसरान्वितम् ।
स्थण्डिलं पञ्चगव्येन संप्रोक्ष्य हृदयेन तु ।। १५
sthan.d'ilam ka'rayed vidva'n as"t'adron.ais'ca s'a'libhih // 12
tadardham tan.d'ilopetam tan.d'ula'rdha tila'nvitam /
tila'rdham la'jasamyuktam darbhais'caiva samanvitam // 13
idam uttama kalpam sya'ttadardham madhyam is"yate /
tadardham adhamam jn"eyam sarvatraiva vinirmitam // 14
likhitva's"t'adalam padmam karn.ika' kesara'nvitam /
stan.d'ilam pan"cagavyena samproks"ya hr'dayena tu // 15
Next, he should design a sthandila( a flat altar, raised a little above the ground) with 8 dronas
of paddy grains, 4 dronas of unhusked rice, 2 dronas of sesamum seeds and 1 drona of parched
paddy grain as well as with darbha grass. This is for the superior kind of sthandila. Half of this
quantity mentioned in each grain is for the medium type of sthandila. And half of the quantity
prescribed for the medium is for the lower type of sthandila. Such quantity is to be maintained

for the sthandila under all circumstances. Then he should design an eight petalled lotus so as
to appear with pericarp and filaments and sprinkle pancagavya over the sthandila with the
accompaniment of hrudaya mantra.
स्वस्वदिक्स्थापनार्थं च लेखयेदिष्टकान्तरे।
पूर्वभागे त्वकारं तु याम्ये म्वाकारमेव च।। १६
इकारं पश्चिमे देशे त्वीकारं चोत्तरे न्यसेत्।
उकारमूर्ध्वभागे तु वस्त्रैराच्छाद्य पूजयेत्।। १७
svasvadikstha'pana'rtham ca lekhayedis"t'ka'ntare /
pu'rvabhage tvaka'ram tu ya'mye tva'karam eva ca // 16
ika'ram pas'cime des'e tvi'ka'ram cottare nyaset /
uka'ram u'rdva bha'ge tu vastraira'ccha'dya pu'jayet // 17
For placing the bricks in their appropriate directions, he should scribe the prescribed letter
on the edge of each brick. In the east brick, the letter a ; in the south, the letter a’; in the west,
the letter i ; in the north, the letter i’; on the upper brick, the letter u. Having written in this way,
he should cover the bricks with clothes and do the offerings.
ऋग्यजुस्सामाथर्वाणि शिवशास्त्रं यथाक्रमम्।
अधिदेवाः इह प्रोक्ताः पूर्वादीनां यथाक्रमम्।। १८
r'gyajussa'ma'tharva'n.i s'ivas'astram yatha'kramam /
adhideva'h iha proktah pu'rva'di'na'm yatha'kramam // 18
The Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda are the presiding deities for the east,
south, west and north respectively. The Agama is the presiding deity for the upper side.
तन्तुनावेष्टितान्कुम्भान् गन्धाम्बु परिपूरितान्।
पिधानान् सितवस्त्राढ्यान् हेमयुक्तान् सकूर्चकान्।। १९
पुष्पाम्रपल्लवोपेतन् इन्द्राद्यष्ट दिशासु वै।
लोकपालाधिपानष्ट शिवकुम्भ समायुतान्।। २०

इन्द्रेशनान्तराले तु संस्थाप्याभ्यर्चयेद्बुधः ।
ततो होमः प्रकर्तव्यस्त्वग्निकार्योक्तमार्गतः ।। २१
tantuna'ves"t'ita'n kumbha'n gandha'mbu paripu'rita'n /
pidha'na'n sitavastra'd'hya'n hemayukta'n saku'rcaka'n // 19
pus"pa'mra pallavopeta'n indra'dyas"t'a dis'a'su vai /
lokapa'la'dhipa'nas"ta s'ivakumbha sama'yuta'n // 20
indres'a'na'ntara'le tu samstha'pya'rcayed budhah /
tato homah prakartavyas tvagnika'ryokta ma'rgatah // 21
The Acharya should place in an orderly way 8 pots or round vessels(kumbhas) which should
have been wound with three-strand thread and well filled up with water scented with prescribed
ingredients such as cardamom,cloves,camphor and others. They should be with lid, their neck
part being wrapped with white cloth. He should place gold coin along with a buch of darbha-
grass having a knot at its tip(kurca) inside the pots which are to be further furnished with
flowers and mango leaves. These 8 pots are to be placed in eight directions starting from east
and ending with north-east for which Indra and others are the guarding deities. Added to these
8 pots , there should be one more pot known as ‘siva kumbha’ which is to be placed in between
the north and north-east. Then the learned Acharya should worship them with flowers and other
paraphernalia. Consequently, fire ritual and oblations are to be done systematically as explained
earlier under the context of placing the foundation deposit.
पलाशोदुम्बराश्वत्थन्यग्रोधाः प्राग्दिगादितः ।
वह्न्यपामार्गखदिर वटास्त्वग्न्यादि कोणतः ।। २२
प्रधानस्य पलाशस्यत्समिदाज्य चरूं तिलम् ।
तण्डुलेन समायुक्तं मूलब्रह्माङ्ग संयुतम् ।। २३
प्रत्येकं होमयेद्धीमान् मध्ये दिक्षु विदिक्ष्वपि ।
सहस्रं वा तदर्धं वा शतं तस्यार्धमेव वा ।। २४
pala's'odumbara's'vattha nyagrodha'h pra'gdiga'ditah /
vahnyapa'ma'rga khadira vat'astvagnya'di kon.atah // 22
pradha'nasya pala's'assya't samida'jya carum tilam /
tan.d'ulena sama'yuktam mu'labrahma'n'ga samyutam // 23

pratyekam homayed dhi’ma’n madhye diks”u vidiks”vapi /
sahasram va’ tadardham va’ s’atam tasya’rdham eva va’ // 24
The faggots got from palasa, udumbara, asvattha and nyagrodha trees are to be offered in the
fire-pits designed in the east, south, west and north respectively. And the faggots got from
vahni, apamarga, faggots from khadira and vata trees are to be offered in the fire-pits
designed in the south-east, south-west, north-west and north-east respectively. For the principal
fire-pit, palasa is the recommended faggot. With the accompaniment of mula mantra, brahma
mantras and anga mantras, the Acharya should offer the faggots, clarified butter, sesamum seeds
and unhusked rice into the fire-pits in the main and intermediary directions and into the principal
fire-pit. The number of oblations may be 1000, 500, 100 or 50.
विन्यसेन्मूर्तिपान् तत्त्वतत्त्वेश्वर समन्वितान् ।
तेषां होमं विधातव्यं पूर्णाहुतिं अथाचरेत् ।। २५
vinyasen mu’rtipa’n tattva tattves’vara samanvita’n /
tes”a’m homam vidha’tavyam pu’rn.a’hutim atha’caret // 25
Then he should invoke the eight deities, who are the eight forms of Siva along with tattvas
and tattvesvaras and for the sake of them, he should offer the oblations in the fire-pits. Then
he should offer the culminating oblation(purna ahuti).
प्रभाते विधिना स्नात्वा देशिको मूर्तिपैस्सह ।
संपूज्य चेष्टकान्कुम्भान्पूर्णाहुतिं अथाचरेत् ।। २६
pabha’te vidhina’ sna’tva’ des’iko mu’rtipaissaha /
sampu’jya ces”t’ka’n kumbha’n pu’rn.a’hutim atha’caret // 26
In the next morning, the Acharya, having completed the usual ceremonial bath, should come
to the pavilion along with the assisting priests(murtipas) and worship the bricks and kumbhas.
Then he should offer the culminating oblation.
प्रायश्चित्तं ततो हुत्वा पुनः पूर्णाहुतिं चरेत् ।
गर्भविन्यासमार्गोक्तस्थाने तान् विन्यसेत्क्रमात् ।। २७

pra'yas'cittam tato hutva' punah pu'rn.a'hutim caret/
garbhavinya'sa ma'rgokta stha'ne ta'n vinyaset krama't// 27
To nullify any defects that could have occurred, he should offer oblations for expiation and
again he should offer the culminating oblation. Then he should place the first bricks in the
places mentioned earlier under the context of foundation deposit.
हृदयं चैव शिखा चैव कवचं च शिरस्तथा।
मूलं चैव क्रमेणैव पठन्नेतांश्च विन्यसेत् ।। २८
hr'dauam caiva s'ikha' caiva kavacam ca s'iras tatha'/
mu'lam caiva kramen.aiva pat'henneta'ms'ca vinyaset// 28
Repeating the mantras known as hrudaya, sikha, kavaca, siras and mula, he should place
these bricks in due order.
अग्रमग्रं तथैशान्यां पृष्ठं पृष्ठं च नैर्ऋते।
पृष्ठाग्रे त्वनले वायौ ज्ञात्वा कर्म समाचरेत् ।। २९
agram agram tathais'a'nyam pr's"t'ham pr's"t'ham ca nairr'te/
pr's"t'ha'gre tvanale va'yau jn"a'tva' karma sama'caret// 29
He should place the bricks in such a way that the tips of two bricks meet at the north-east and
the bases of two bricks meet at the south-west; and the tip and the base of two bricks meet at
the south-east and the north-west. Having known this specific order of placing the bricks, he
should keep the bricks well arrayed.
मानुषे प्रागुदग्दीर्घा दिव्ये प्राक् प्रत्यगायता।
इष्टका प्रागवागेका प्रक्षेप्यादौ क्रमेण तु।। ३०
ma'nus"e pra'gudag di'rgha' divye pratyaga'yata'/
is"t'ka' pra'gava'geka' praks"ipya'dau kramen.a tu// 30

In the ma'nusha pada, the tips of the two bricks should face east and north. In the daivika pada,
the tips of the two bricks should face east and west. The fifth brick to be placed in the middle
should have its tip in east and base in west. In this way, the first bricks are to be placed in due
order.
नन्द्यावर्ताकृति स्थाप्यमिष्टकानां चतुष्टयम्।
पञ्चमीत्वीशवदना शैवी प्राग्वदना सुरे।। ३१
कौबेरवदनं नृणां एवं ज्ञात्वा तु विन्यसेत्।
nandya'varta'kr'ti stha'pyam is"t'ka'na'm catus"t'ayam।
pan"cami'tvi's'a vadana' s'aivi' pra'gvadana' sure।। 31
kaubera vadanan nr"n.a'm evam jn"a'tva' tu vinyaset।
The four bricks are to be placed to look like the petals of nandyavarta flower. In the case of
Siva temple, the fifth brick represents Isana face. In the temples of all other gods, the fifth
brick represents Tatpurusha face. In the buildings meant for the humans, the fifth brick
denotes Vamadeva face. Having known the significance of the fifth brick in this way, the
Acharya should do the rituals concerned with the placing of the first bricks.
आचार्यं प्राक् प्रपूज्याथ तेनैतत्कारयेत्सुधीः।। ३२
निष्कादि नवनिष्कान्तं काञ्चनं देशिकस्य तु।
a'ca'ryam pra'k prapu'jya'tha tenaitatka'rayet sudhi'h।। 32
nis"ka'di navanis"ka'ntam ka'n"canam des'ikasya tu।
The well-informed owner or the sponsor of the construction should first worship and honor the
Acharya and then fulfil the deeds through him. The ceremonial fees(dakshina) for the
Acharya may be from one nishka of gold to nine nishkas.
रत्नादीन्विन्यसेन्मध्ये त्ववटेषु च विन्यसेत्।। ३३
एकवर्गं द्विवर्गं वा त्रिवर्गं सर्वमेव वा।
गर्भन्यासोक्त मार्गेण विन्यसेद्देशिकोत्तमः।। ३४

ratna’di’n vinyasen madhye tvavat’es’u ca vinyaset // 33
ekavargam dvivargam va’ trivargam sarvam eva va’ /
garbhanya’sokta ma’rgen.a vinyased des’ikottamah // 34
He should place diamonds and other in the middle and in the left out space of the pit. Things
belonging to one goup, two groups, three groups or all the groups are to be placed in the left out
space of the pit by the foremost Acharya in the same way as prescribed for the foundation deposit.
आदौ जलेन संपूर्य शिवकुम्भस्थितेन तु ।
पुष्पं निक्षिप्य तत्रैव पञ्चरत्नानि विन्यसेत् ।। ३५
a’dau jaleva sampu’rya s’ivakumbhasthitena tu /
pus”pam niks”ipya tatraiva pas’ca’d ratna’ni vinyaset // 35
First, the Acharya should fill up the pit with the consecrated water of siva kumbha and then
place a flower on it and deposit five gems inside the pit.
शुभं प्रदक्षिणावर्तो वामावर्तस्त्वशोभनम् ।
वामावर्ते तु संजाते शान्तिहोमं समाचरेत् ।। ३६
s’ubhram pradaks”in.a’varto va’ma’vartastvas’obhanam /
va’ma’varte tu samja’te s’a’ntihomam sama’caret // 36
While pouring consecrated the water, if the water whirls around in clockwise direction, it
is to be considered that the placing of the first bricks will lead to auspiciousness and prosperity.
If the water whirls around in anti-clockwise direction, then it suggests that the placing of
the bricks is not conducive to auspiciousness. On the occurrence of such anti-clockwise
whirling, the Acharya should perform propitiatory oblations to alleviate inauspiciousness.
मन्दिरे मण्टपे चैव प्राकारे गोपुरे गृहे ।
परिवारालये पीठे शालायां च सभाविधौ ।। ३७

पुष्करिण्यां च कुल्यायां कूपे सेतोश्च बन्धने ।
अनेनैव प्रकारेण कर्म चैतत्समाचरेत् ।। ३८
अत्रानुक्तं तु यत्सर्वं गर्भन्यासोक्तमाचरेत् ।। ३९
mandire man.t'ape caiva pra'ka're gopure gr'he /
pariva'ra'laye pi't'he s'a'la'ya'm ca sabha'vidhau // 37
pus"karn.ya'm ca kulya'ya'm kupe setos'ca bandhane /
anenaiva praka'ren.a karma caitat sama'caret // 38
atra'nuktam tu yatsarvam garbhanya'soktam a'caret // 39
In the construction of shrines, pavilions, enclosing passage, super structure, house, shrines for the
retinue deities, tanks, canals, wells and bridge, the ceremony of placing the first bricks should
be performed in this way. All those directions which have not been told here are to be
adhered to as explained under the context of garbha nyasa.
। इति कामिकाख्ये महातन्त्रे आद्येष्टकाविधिः एकपञ्चाशत्तमः पटलः ।
। iti ka'mika'khye maha'tantre a'dyes"t'ka' vidhih ekapan"ca's'attamah pat'alah ।
This is 51ˢᵗ chapter titled "Directions for Placing the First Bricks" in the Great Tantra called Ka'mika

५२ उपपीठ विधिः
52 UPPI’THA VIDHIH
52 Directions for the Construction of Pedestal and Base
उपपीठविधिं वक्ष्ये अधिष्ठान समन्वितम्।
एकहस्तं द्विहस्तं वा त्रिहस्तं परितोधिकम्।। १
विमानादि विशालात्त खातयेत्परितोऽधिकम्।
upapi't'ha vidhim vaks'ye adhis"t'ha'na samanvitam /
ekahastam dvihastam va' trihastam paritodhikam // 1
vima'na'di vis'a'la'tta kha'tayet paritodhikam /
Next in order, I will explain the directions for laying the supplementary base(upapi't'ha) along
with the base proper(adhis"t'ha'na). The architect should dig the ground all around the
proposed construction of temple and other buildings exceeding the original width by one hasta,
two or three hastas.
तत्र चिक्कणपाषाणमुष्टिमुद्गालुकादिभिः ।। २
अधिष्ठान षडष्टांशहीनं तु परिपूरयेत्।
पञ्चांशद्द्यंशत्र्यंशं वा हीनं वा परिकल्पयेत्।। ३
मुद्गरैर्गजपादैश्च काष्ठतुण्डैर्धनीकृते।
जलेन पूरिते तत्स्थं निरूनमुदकं यदि।। ४
तद्द्व्यपोह्य समुद्धृत्य दण्डमानं तु शैलके।
पतिते भारमात्रे तु न निम्नं च भवेद्यदि।। ५
तत आरभ्य शैलैर्वा त्विष्टकाभिश्च बन्धयेत्।

tatra cikkan.a pa's''a'n.a mus''t'imr'dvaluka'dibhih // 2
adhis''t'ha'na s''ad'as''t'a'ms'a hi'nam tu paripurayet |
pan''ca'ms'a dvyams'a tryams'am va' hi'nam va parikalpayet // 3
mudgarair gajapa'dais'ca ka's''t'hatun.dair ghani'kr'te |
jalena pu'rite tatstham nirunamudakam yadi // 4
tadvyapohya samuddhr'tya dan.d'ama'nam tu s'ailake |
patite bha'rama'tre tu na nimnam ca bhavedyadi // 5
tata a'rabhya s'ailair va' tvis''t'ka'bhis'ca bandhayet |
The place dug around should be filled up with pebbles, gravel, fine sand, moistened clods
of earth and others to the level less than 6 parts of the height of the base(adhis''t'ha'na) or
it may be less than 2 parts or 3 parts out of 5 parts of the height of the base. Then, to make
it hard and strong, the trench should be stamped down with pestle, huge log of wood shaped
like an elephant`s leg and piece of wood. Then the trench should be filled up with water.
If the water remains as it is without being absorbed into the gound and remains evenly spread,
then it should be taken to indicate the hardness and horizontality of the ground. Then the water
should be drained out and the trench should be filled up with pieces of stone measuring a wight
of one bha'ra, to a height of one rod(danda). They should be evenly spread without any gap
between them. Starting from that level, the architect should strengthen the trench with stones and
bricks.
आदौ प्रकृतिभूमिस्यात् त्रिप्रकारा तु सा स्मृता ।। ६
प्रकृतिर्हस्तमात्रेण चोत्तमे तु प्रशस्यते ।
अष्टादशाङ्गुला मध्ये हीने स्याद् द्वादशाङ्गुला ।। ७
जलस्य निस्रवार्थं तु प्रतिशालं प्रकल्पयेत् ।
षडङ्गुल क्षयेणादौ चतुरर्धं द्वितीयेके ।। ८
पक्षयोश्चत्र्यङ्गुलं हीनं प्रकृत्युपरि जन्मभूः ।
तदुपानमिति प्रोक्ता सैव भौमा प्रकीर्तिता ।। ९
तदूर्ध्वस्थमधिष्ठानं केवलं तु विधीयते ।
a'dau prakr'ti bhu'missya't tripraka'ra tu sa' smr'ta' // 6
prakr'tir hastama'tren.a cottame tu pras'asyate /

as"t'a'das'a'n'gula madhye hi'ne sya'ddva'das'a'n'gulam॥ 7
jalasya nisrava'rtham tu pratis'a'lam prakalpayet।
s"ad'n'gula ks"ayen.a'dau caturardham dviti'yake॥ 8
paks"ayostrayan'gulam hi'nam prakr'tyupari janmabhu'h।
tadupa'nam iti prokta' saiva bhauma' praki'rtita'॥ 9
tadu'rdhvastham adhis"t'ha'nam kevalm tu vidhi'yate।
The first level of the ground is known as prakruti(original ground). It is considered to be of
three kinds. Prakruti raised to one hasta is of superior type. The prakruti raised to 18 angulas
is of medium type and that raised to 12 angulas is of lower type. Then the architect should
design a stereobate(prati s'a'la') for the easy flow of water. The stereobate whose height is less
than the prakruti by 6 angulas in height is of supreme kind. That which is less than the prakruti
by 2 angulas is of intermediary type. That which is less than the prakruti by 3 out of 15 parts is
of lower type. That which is above the prakruti is called janma bhu, the plinth. It is also called
upana and bhauma. That which stands above the plinth is called adhis"t'ha'na, the base. If pillar
stands above this pedestal, then the pedestal itself is to be called the base(adhis"t'ha'na).
पादविस्तार मानेन साध्यर्धद्वित्रिदण्डकम्॥ १०
निर्गतं बाह्यदेशे तु तदर्धबहुलान्वितम्।
उपानोपरि पद्मं वा सोपानं तु तदूर्ध्वतः॥ ११
यथा शोभांशमानेन भूतवेदाग्नि भाजिते।
उन्नतार्थं च शोभार्थं रक्षार्थं च बलार्थकम्॥ १२
pa'davista'ra ma'nena sa'dhya'erdha dvitri dan.d'akam॥ 10
nirgatam ba'hyades'e tu tadardhabahula'nvitam।
upa'nopari padmam va' sopa'nam tu tadu'rdhvatah॥ 11
yatha' s'obha'ms'ama'nena bhu'taveda'gni bha'jite।
unnata'rtham ca s'obha'rtham raks"a'rtham ca bala'rthakam॥ 12
Based on the width of the pillar, the projection of the pedestal(upapi't'ha) may be in one
and half danda, 2 or 3 dandas. Its thickness should be half of this measure. Above the
plinth, there may be cyma(padma). And, above the cyma, there should be a slab for adjustment.
If the total height of the base is divided into 5, 4 or 3 parts, these members such as cyma, slab

and others should with such proportionate measures as to enhance elegance and beauty. The
pedestal(upapi't'ha) is basically meant for increasing the height(of the building), for infusing
elegance and beauty and for the strength of the building.
सभद्रं वा विभद्रं वा जन्मप्रभृति मध्यमे।
उपपीठं विधातव्यं अधिष्ठानोदयर्धतः॥ १३
पादेन च त्रिपादेन समेन त्रिगुणेन वा।
पञ्चांशे तु त्रयांशेन वह्न्यंशे त्वेकभागतः॥ १४
तदुच्चार्धं त्रिपादं वा पादं वाष्टांश हीनकम्।
द्विदण्डं वा त्रिदण्डं वा निर्गमं पादबाह्यतः॥ १५
पादुकाच्च बहिर्वाधो उपानस्तम्भ बाह्यकम्।
sabhadram va' vibhadram va' janmapabhrti madhyame।
upapi't'ham vidha'tavyam adis"t'ha'nodaya'rdhatah॥ 13
pa'dena ca tripa'dena samena trigun.ena va'।
pan"ca'ms'e tu trayams'ena vahnyams'e tvekabha'gatah॥ 14
taducca'rdham tripa'dam va' pa'dam va's"t'a'ms'ahi'nakam।
dvidan.d'am va' tridan.d'am va' nirgamam pa'daba'hyatah॥ 15
pa'duka'cca bahirva'dho upa'nastambha ba'hyakam।
There may or may not be a projecting moulding in between the plinth and the upapi't'ha,
supplementary base. This base should be designed with a height equal to half the height of
the base. Or its height may be one fourth, three fourth, three times, three fifth or one third
of the height of the base or equal to this height. Or, it may be three fourth or one fourth of
half the height of the base; or, less than half the height by 8 parts. Projection of the plinth of the
base in relation to the pillars of the ground may be 2 or 3 dandas. The projection may be aligned to
the exterior of the plinth or to the lower part of the base. Or, it may be aligned to
the projection of the base and pillars.
नवपङ्क्त्यंशकं कृत्वा त्र्यंशोचोपानमिष्यते॥ १६
द्व्यंशं पद्मं तदूर्ध्वं तु कम्पमेकांशमिष्यते।
षडंशः कर्णमिष्टस्स्याच्छेषं प्राग्वत्प्रकीर्तितम्॥ १७

कम्पस्त्वंशेन कर्तव्यं अष्टांशं उपपीठकम्।
तदेवोर्ध्वमधस्ताच्चेत् अम्बुजेन विहीनकम्।। १८
षडंशं उपपीठं स्याच्चतुर्विंशति भाजिते।
navapan'ktya'ms'akam kr'tva' tryams'occopa'nam is"yate // 16
dvyams'am padmam tadu'rdhvam tu kampam eka'ms'am is"yate /
s"ad'ams'ah karn.am is"t'am sya'c ches"am pra'gvad i'ritam // 17
kampastvams'ena kartavyam as"t'a'ms'am uppi't'hakam /
tadevordhvam adhasta'ccet ambujena vihi'nakam // 18
s"ad'ams'am upapi't'ham sya'c caturvims'ati bha'jite /
If the height of the upapi't'ha is divided into 19 parts, plinth takes 3 parts; lotus(cyma) takes
2 parts; kampa(fillet) takes 1 part; karna( middle part) takes 6 parts; kampa(fillet) takes 1 part;
lotus(cyma) takes 2 parts; pattika(fillet) takes 3 parts and kampa takes 1 part.Thus, this type of
upapi'tha is associated with 8 members from the plinth to kampa. If the lotus in the upper part
and that in the lower part are left out, then this type of uppi't'ha is considered to be associated with
6 members.
तदर्धं करणं प्राग्वदंशेनोत्तरमिष्यते।। १९
रुद्रांशेन त्रिभागेन कपोतमिह संममतम्।
अलिन्दान्तरितं द्व्यंशं प्रत्युत्सेधं तु तत्समम्।। २०
वाजनं चैकभागं स्यात्कर्णस्त्वष्टांश इष्यते।
उत्तरे चैकभागं स्याद्रुद्रभागेन कीर्तिता।। २१
कपोतकं त्रिभागेन भागेनालिन्दमिष्यते।
अन्तरीतं तु भागेन भागाभ्यां प्रति इष्यते।। २२
प्रतिवाजनमेकांशं सर्वालङ्कार संयुतम्।
tadardham karan.am pra'gvad ams'enottaram is"yate // 19
rudra'ms'ena tribha'gena kapotam ihasammatam /
alinda'ntaritam dvyams'am pratyutsedham te tatsamam // 20
va'janam tvekabha'gam sya't karn.astvas"t'a'ms'a is"yate /
uttare caikabha'gam sya'd rudrabha'gena ki'rtita' // 21

kapotakam tribha'gena bha'gena'lindam is"yate|
antari'tam tu bha'gena bha'ga'bhya'm prati is"yate // 22
prativa'janam eka'ms'am sarva'lan'ka'ra samyutam|
If the total height of upapi't'ha is divided into 24 parts, karana(fillet) takes seven parts out of
eleven parts; uttara(fillet) takes 1 part; kapota(carona) takes 3 parts out of eleven parts;
alinda'ntarita(fillet) takes 2 parts; prati(stereobate) takes 2 parts; va'jana( fillet with greater
projection) takes 1 part; karna(neck or middle section) takes 8 parts; uttara takes 1 part out of
11 parts;kapota takes 3 parts; alinda(fillet) takes 1 part; antarita(recessed fillet) takes 1 part;
prati takes 2 parts and prati vajana(cavetto) takes 1 part. The upapi't'ha proportioned in this
way should be provided with all sorts of decorative members.
त्रिसप्तांशात उत्सेधो द्वाभ्यां जन्म तथाम्बुजम् ।। २३
गलमर्धेन चार्धेन पद्मं द्वयंशेन वाजनम् ।
अर्धेनाब्जं तथा कम्पं अष्टांशं कर्णमीरितम् ।। २४
अंशेनोत्तरमर्धेन पद्मं चोपानकं त्रिभिः ।
भागार्धमूर्ध्वकम्पस्स्यात् त्रिसप्तांशे तदुन्नते ।। २५
जन्म द्वयंशेन त्र्यंशेन पद्ममंशेन कन्धरम् ।
बाह्यवाजनमेकेन कम्पमष्टांशकैर्गलम् ।। २६
अंशेनोत्तरमंशाभ्यां वाजनं कम्पमंशकम् ।
trisapta'ms'ata utsedho dva'bhya'm janma tatha'mbujam // 23
galamardhena ca'rdhena padmam dvyams'ena va'janam|
ardhena'bjam tatha' kampam as"t'a'ms'am karn.am i'ritam // 24
ams'enottaram ardhena padmam copa'nakam tribhih|
bha'ga'rdham u'rdhvakampassya't trissaptams'e tadunnate // 25
janma dvyams'ena tryams'ena padmam ams'ena kandharam|
ba'hyava'janam ekena kampam as"t'a'ms'akair galam // 26
ams'enottaram ams'a'bhya'm va'janam kampam ams'akam|
If the total height of upapi't'ha is divided into 21 parts, janma(plinth) takes 2 parts; ambuja
(cyma) takes 2 parts; gala(lower neck) takes a half part and padma(cyma) takes a half part; va'jana
takes 2 parts; padma takes a half part and kampa takes a half part; karna(middle portion);

takes 8 parts; uttara takes 1 part; padma takes a half part and upana takes 3 parts. U'rdhvakampa
(upper fillet) takes a half part. For the same 21 parts, the members may be held in a different way. In
this mode, janma takes 3 parts; padma takes 3 parts; gala takes1 part; ba'hya va'jana(outer fillet with
greater projection) takes 1 part; kampa takes 1 part; gala(middle portion) takes 8 parts; uttara takes 1
part; va'jana takes 2 parts and kampa takes1 part.
सिंहभमकरैर्व्यालैर्भूतैः पत्रैरलङ्कृतम् ।। २७
प्रतिवक्त्रं झषालं स्याद्बालेनारूढ मस्तकम्।
अर्पिते नार्पिते मत्स्यैस्सर्वत्र परिकल्पयेत् ।। २८
अङ्गमङ्गं विशेषेण वृद्धिं हानिं च कारयेत्।
चतुःपञ्च षडंशं वा सप्ताष्टांशं तथापि वा ।। २९
अंशद्वयं त्रयांशं वा परिगृह्यावशेषतः।
परिलोप्य विधातव्यं आद्यङ्गत्वोपपीठकम् ।। ३०
simhebha makarair vya'lair bhu'taih patrairalan'kr'tam // 27
prativaktram cas"a'lam sya'd ba'lena'ru'd'ha mastakam /
arpite na'rpite matsyais sarvatra parikalpayet // 28
an'gaman'gam vis'es"en.a vr'ddhim ha'nim ca ka'rayet /
catuh pan"ca s"ad'ams'am va' sapta's"t'a'ms'am atha'pi va' // 29
ams'advayam traya'ms'am va' parigr'hya'vas'es"atah /
parilopya vidha'tavyam a'dyan'gatvopa pi't'hakam // 30
The upapi't'ha should be beautified with the depictions of lion, elephant, makara, vyala, groups
of dwarfs and petals. Its each side should be depicted with jhas"a'la ( a kind of crocodile) having its
head mounted on by a young boy. Be it with or without the aisle, it should be provided with the
figures of fish all around. The parts and sub-parts of the upapi't'ha may be increased or decreased
according to the context. 4,5, 6, 7 or 8 parts or 2 or 3 parts – all of these are to be considered for the
pleasant designing of the pedestal. Adhering to the good aspects and omitting the inauspicious
allocation of the parts, the pedestal(upapi't'ha) which is considered to be the first member
of the building should be designed.
अनेनैव प्रकारेण ह्यधिष्ठानं च कारयेत्।
द्विविधं तदिह प्रोक्तं प्रत्यङ्गं पट्टिकाङ्गकम् ।। ३१
चतुर्विंशति भागं तु कृत्वाधिष्ठान तुङ्गकम्

जगत्यष्टांशकेनोक्ता कुमुदं तत्समानकम् ।। ३२
अष्टपादं तदुद्दिष्टं कम्पमंशत्रिभागभाक् ।
कर्णत्वंशेन कम्पं स्यात् त्र्यंशं वाजनमिष्यते ।। ३३
anenaiva praka'ren.a hyadhis"t'ha'nam ca ka'rayet |
dvividham tadiha proktam pratyangam pattikangakam || 31
caturvims'ati bha'gam tu kr'tva'dhis"t'ha'na tun'gakam |
jagatyas"t'a'ms'akenokta' kumudak tatsama'nakam || 32
as"t'pa'dam taduddis"t'am kampam ams'atribha'gabha'k |
karn.atvams'ena kampam sya't tryams'am va'janam is"yate || 33
In the same way, the architect should construct the base proper(adhis"t'ha'na). In this Agama
the base is considered to be of two kinds- pratyanga and pat't'ika'n'ga. If the total height of
the base is divided into 24 parts, jagati takes 8 parts; astragal(kumuda) takes 8 parts; kampa
(fillet) takes 3 parts; karna(ear- element) takes 1 part; kampa takes 1 part; vajana(fillet) takes
3 parts. Kumuda part is also known as as"t'a pa'da.
जगती प्राग्वदुद्दिष्टा सप्तांशं कुमुदं भवेत् ।
पद्मं अंशेन कर्तव्यं शेषं पूर्ववदाचरेत् ।। ३४
सप्तांशा जगती प्रोक्ता षडंशं कुमुदं भवेत् ।
पद्मं अंशं कर्तव्यं कम्पमेकांशतो भवेत् ।। ३५
त्र्यंशं गलमित्युक्तं एकांशं चोर्ध्वकम्पकम् ।
पद्ममेकांशतो ज्ञेयं वाजनं द्व्यंशं इष्यते ।। ३६
ऊर्ध्वपद्मं तदैकांशं उपकम्पं तथैव च ।
jagati' pra'gvaduddis"t'a' sapta'ms'am kumudam bhavet |
padmam ams'ena kartavyam s'es"am pu'rvavada'caret || 34
sapta'ms'a' jagati'prokta' s"ad'ams'am kumudam bhavet |
padmam ams'ena kartavyam kampam eka'ms'ato bhavet || 35
tryams'am galam ityuktam eka'ms'am cordhvakampakam |
padmam eka'ms'ato jn"eyam va'janam dvyams'am is"yate || 36
u'rdhvapadmam tadaika'ms'am upakampam tathaiva ca |

In an alternate arrangement, jagati takes 8 parts; kumuda takes 7 parts and padma takes 1 part.
All other members are to be designed as explained before with the same parts. If the total height
is divided into 28 parts, jagati takes 7 parts; kumuda takes 6 parts; padma takes 5 parts; kampa
takes 1 part; gala takes 3 parts; urdhva kampa takes 1 part; padma takes 1 part; vajana takes 2 parts;
urdhva padma takes 1 part and upakampa takes 1 part.
पञ्चांशा जगती प्रोक्ता पद्ममेकांशतो भवेत् ।। ३७
दृगंशेनांशतः पद्मं कुमुदं चतुरंशकम् ।
शेषं प्राग्वत्समुद्दिष्टं कम्पस्तम्भोदयाश्रितम् ।। ३८
pan"ca'ms'a' jagati' prokta' padmam eka'ms'ato bhavet // 37
dr'gams'ena'ms'atah padmam kumudam caturams'akam /
s'es"am pra'gvatsamuddis"t'am kampastambhodaya's'reitam // 38
In an alternate way, in the same height of adhis"t'ha'na, jagati takes 5 parts; padma takes 1 part;
dr'g(eye-element) takes 1 part; padma takes 1 part and kumuda takes 4 parts. All other members
are to be designed as explained before with the same measures. These arrangements are based
on the height of the pillar.
भागैनैकेन जन्म स्यात्त्रिभागं गलमुच्यते ।
कम्पमेकांशतो ज्ञेयं षडंशं जगतिर्भवेत् ।। ३९
एकेन पद्ममंशेन गलमेकेन पद्मकम् ।
त्रिभागं कुमुदं पद्मं एकांशं परिकीर्तितम् ।। ४०
एकेन कम्पं द्व्यंशेन गलमंशेन कम्पकम् ।
दलमंशेन कर्तव्यं वाजनं द्व्यंशं ईरितम् ।। ४१
एकांशं जलजं प्रोक्तं कम्पमंशेन कीर्तितम् ।
bha'genaikena janma sya't tribha'gam galam ucyate /
kampam eka'ms'ato jn"eyam s"ad'ams'am jagatir bhavet // 39
ekena padmam ams'ena galam ekena padmakam /
tribha'gam kumudam padmam eka'ms'am pariki'titam // 40
ekena kampam dvyams'ena galam ams'ena kampakam /