Aparaajitpriccha (An Ancient Treatise on Architecture): Sanskrit Text, Hindi Translation, Related Sketches and Index of Verses

by Shrikrishna Jugnu and Bhanvar Sharma

Aparaajitpriccha occupies an important place in the scriptures of Indian Architecture. Many other treatises on Vastushastra such as Vishvakarmiyashilpa, Jnanaprakash Diparnav, Vastusara Samucchaya and almost twenty four other architectural texts composed by Sutradhara Mandan, Sutradhara Natha and Sutradhara Govind are based on Aparaajitpriccha. That is why, Aparaajitpriccha is so popular among the architect communities. Aparaajitpriccha is not only based on temple architecture, but it includes several other topics including the social customs and traditions in Western India during 12th century AD. It also contains the scientific architecture that is being practised in India since the ancient times. Since, Vishvakarma is considered to be the creator of all the architectural sciences, he is the main orator in this text. Aparaajit asks several questions on various aspects of Vastushastra and Vishvakarma gives the relevant scientific answers. This is the first edition of Aparaajitpriccha in which not only the old Sanskrit Text has been edited, but there is a complete hindi translation of each verse of the text along with detailed notes at relevant places in the text. There are related sketches as well as a complete index of verses at the end for the benefit of the readers and researchers.