Pre-recorded Lecture: Introduction to the Mānasāra Vāstuśāstra and the Architecture of Ancient India
Readings:
- Mānasāra Vāstuśāstra, an ancient Indian architectural treatise dated to the 11th century CE (Selections)
- George Michell. The Hindu Temple. An Introduction to Its Meaning and Forms (Selections: pp. 14-19, 20-22, 49-50, and 54-85)
Asynchronous Assignment: Hypothes.is Annotation of the Mānasāra Vāstuśāstra
The Vitruvian Figure translates a world view, a cosmology, into a theory for good architectural design. This week we will explore how different world views have informed principles of spatial organization and, in turn, architecture. We will examine another ancient architectural treatise called the Mānasāra (“The Essence of Measurement”), the most authoritative Sanskrit text on Hindu temple design, compiled circa 1100 CE in Southern India but which contains much older material roughly contemporary with Vitruvius’ De Architectura. First, though, it would be useful to read George Michell’s work on the Hindu temple: the significance of its architecture and the role of the temple in Hindu religion and culture. Then read the Mānasāra and make note of similarities and differences between it and Vitruvius’ De Architectura. Think about authorial persona, language, and tone; how architecture is defined; the relationship between theory and practice; the role of math and geometry in design; the delineation of architecture’s aims; the source and conceptualization of architectural knowledge; and the relationship between gods, cosmos, human body, and buildings.
Please make at least 5 annotations on the readings (follow links below) for this week. Annotations are due by 12 Noon on Thursday, October 22nd.
- NB: This English translation of the Mānasāra includes the original Sanskrit text for each line. A helpful format for those who read Sanskrit, but a bit of a nuisance for those who do not. Direct the focus of your attention particularly to pp. 1-57 and 99-106. For pp. 168-234 it is important to just get a sense of content and the structure of its presentation.
Synchronous Discussion:
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- The Manasara and the Vastu Shastra “the science of building” in Ancient India
- What is architecture according to the Manasara? How is architecture/building conceptualized?
- Is this a theoretical treatise? Is this science?
- What is the relationship between the cosmos, human body, and built environment in ancient Indian thought
- Greco-Roman v. Indian temples
- The Manasara and the Vastu Shastra “the science of building” in Ancient India