Chapter 43 - Decorating rules (Aprayojya-prayojya)

[Note: This chapter corresponds to Chapter 34 of the original Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra]

[Full title: Aprayojya-prayojya (With what not to decorate and with what to decorate)]

One of the most characteristic features of the ancient architecture was the institution of excessive ornamentation in the buildings and household furniture. In keeping with this architectural tradition of old, the Samarāṅgaṇa has devoted a full chapter under this heading to describe what things are to be decorated and what not [i.e., aprayojya-prayojya] in the buildings like houses, palaces, temples, assembly halls and the huose-hold furniture, cots, coaches, pots, etc., as well as implements, ornaments, umbrellas, the flags and flag staffs, etc. etc.

A. The text first enumerates the following objects not fit to be employed for decoration in the secular buildings:—

1. All gods (only selected gods are fit to be decorated with) demons, planets, stars, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, Rākṣasas, Piśācas, Pitṛs, Pretas, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Nāgas, Cāraṇas, Bhūtasaṃghas with their wives and sons.

2. The Pratihāras, Pratihāriṇīs (gate-keepers—males and females) with their weapons.

3, The nymphs and their Gaṇas.

4, Dīkṣitas, vow-keepers, Pākhaṇḍīs, Nāstikas, the hungry, the suffering humanity (from illness), captivity, weapon-wounds, fire-burns; etc. etc., impotents, nudes, blinds, deafs, the mads and idiots.

5. Swinging sports, elephant-catch, wars between gods and demons, the quarrels among the kings, animal fights and hunting and the Kasas like Raudra, Vībhatsa and Karuṇa.

6. Conveyances like—Gajayāna, Aśvayāna, Rathayāna, aeroplanes, the sanctuaries as well as forests, and houses on fire.

7. The trees devoid of fruits and flowers, contaminated with the dwellings of the birds, having one or two branches, or those devoid of liquidity, dried up, having holes and those in the vicinity of dwellings of the spirits such as Kadamba, Śālmalī, Śelu, Tāra, Kṣāra, Lūka etc. and also thorny and those full of bitterness.

8. Among the birds the vultures, owls, doves, hawks, crows and among the animals, elephants, horses, buffaloes, camels, cats, asses, monkeys, lions, tigers, antilopes and jackals—the flesh-eating animals and birds both.

B. As regards the decorative objects, a detailed notice has been done in the Study (see Part III). Here it is enough to indicate that things and objects as well as men, animals, birds, denizens of heaven famous for their auspicious nature and character only can provide the motifs for decoration, such as Śrī, Aṣṭamaṅgalā, calf, cow, etc., birds like swans, the gardens, lotus beds etc. etc. To summarize, the Iṣṭadevatā on the house top (in length of only one hasta) and on the doors the image of the Pratihāriṇi, well decorated, together with treasures and goddess Lakṣmī are common properties of usual decorations. The walls (both internal and external) of the living chambers and the chambers of dance, drama are also to be decorated with paintings.