Building Architecture of Sthapatya Veda

by Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati

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The Science and technology of Vaastu Shastra – re-defined re-interpreted and its relevance and all – time universal applicabililty re – established. Archetypal building forms illustrated and punctuated with apt quotations. The textual matter enriched

The book is both a scholarly exposition of the philosophical principles of Sthapatya Veda and a practical presentation of the rhythm and creation of rhythm bound forms which give rise to a variety of structures. A complete compendium on the science of Sthapatya Veda, popularly known as Vaastu Veda, with special reference to principles and practices of Vaastu based building architecture. Apart from the valuable textual matter, the book is also enriched with illustrations on the design process and aesthetic elevation treatment for buildings based Vaastu.

For any serious student of Vaastu Shastra this book is an essential bible. It is the culmination of the life work of Dr.Sthapathi, India's foremost temple builder, architect and Vaastu house builder. Dr. Sthapathi's words, like his buildings, are alive with consciousness and spirit.

Here's an excerpt from the preface:

"Vaastu Shastra has nowadays come to be related to the mere design principle of located the bedroom and kitchen inside a built space and only very few think beyond this point as to what is that which brings in a spritually alluring ambience when the built space or oriented according to Vaastu. Now comes the question of the attributes of the Space that surrounds us. Is there any relations between our inner space and the space surrounding us? If so, what is that? And how is the resonance between our inner space andbuilt space effected by the Vaastu science? What is that which we are able to experience when we are inside a temple in front of the sanctum-sanctorum? Can we say that it is the resonance in vibration of our inner self and that of the built space of the sanctum, which in popular terms is called "Bhakti?" Quite intriguing isn't it?"

Contents of the Book:

I:

1. Sthapatya Veda.
2. Central theme of Sthapatya Veda.
3. Vaastu Shastra - a scientific treatise - not a religious document.
4. The twin scriptures of Vaastu and Agama Shastras.
5. Vitruvius - architect on craftsmanship and scholarship.
6. Traditional Indian science and technology.
7. Sacred geometry of Dr. Robert Lawlor of Australia.
8. Genesis of traditional Indian science, art and architecture.
9. Vaastu Shastra, a class by itself.
10. Vaastu Shilpa, as advanced science and traditional technological practice.
11. Two fold OM and five fold Veda.
12. 'Time and Space' - 'Rhythm and Form'.
13. Vibration and resonance.
14. Vastu Reva Vaastu - subtle to gross, energy to matter.
15. Measure of Earth's Mantle.
16. Mayan, the Great Scientist of Bharat.
17. Shilpa Vidya-Rahasyopanishad - Vaastu sutropanishad.
18. Rig Vedic Vaastoshpati Sukta - Vishwakarma Sukta.

II. Technological material:

19. Tala system of spatial measures.
20. Selection of building site.
21. Orientation of buildings, cities and villages.
22. Ayadi calculations.
23. Vaastu Purusha Mandala as applied in scientific concept.
24. Concept of time and space and design of building spaces.
25. Effect of subtle and gross spaces on human system.
26. Discussion on the designing of house buildings.
27. Archetypal or basic patterns for house buildings.
28. Town planning.
29. Outlines of temple architecture.
30. Trees and plants in and around the buildings.
31. The absolute, pure and auspicious cosmical periods of Vaastu.
32. Vaastu Puja and Vaastu Homa.
33. Building designs based on Vaastu principles.
34. Biographical sketch of Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati.

About the Author:

Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati was born at Pillayarpatti, a village in Tamil Nadu. He hails from an illustrious family of traditional architects and sculptors, with an unbroken lineage of centuries, who built the great Brihadeeswara Temple at Tanjore. Dr. Sthapati was the Principal of the Govt. College of Architecture and Sculpture at Mamallapuram, near Chennai, for many years. Now he has founded the Vaastu Vedic Trust and created a research institution called the Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation. He has designed the palatial library and administrative block of the Tamil University at Tanjore, the Muthiah Mundram at Madurai and several other buildings and complexes, which are looked upon as visual musical forms. He is also the master sculptor and builder of the huge 133 feet statue of Thiruvalluvar in stone, which stands off the shore in mid-sea at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India. He has organised several international seminars and workshops in India and abroad on the Vaastu tradition. He is the author of many books related to the ancient science and art of Indian architecture and sculpture. At present he is also Professor and Head of the Dept. of Sthapatya Veda, in the World University of Traditional Indian Science and Technology and Culture at Chennai.