Rajvallabha Athwa Shilpashastra - Book Summary

Certainly! Based on the provided text, here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text titled "Rajvallabha athwa Shilpashastra":

Book Title: Rajvallabha athwa Shilpashastra (also referred to as Rajvallabh Yane Shilpashastra) Author(s): Narayanbharati Yashwantabharti Gosai Publisher: Mahadev Ramchandra Jagushte, Ahmedabad

Overall Purpose and Content:

"Rajvallabha athwa Shilpashastra" is a significant Jain text focused on Shilpa Shastra, which translates to the science of architecture, sculpture, and craftsmanship. The book aims to provide a comprehensive guide for the construction of various types of buildings and structures, particularly temples, palaces, and residential homes, with a strong emphasis on auspicious principles, Vastu Shastra (the science of space and its influence on well-being), and detailed architectural guidelines.

Key Themes and Sections:

The text delves into numerous aspects of architecture and Vastu Shastra, covering a wide range of topics as outlined in its detailed index and content:

Introduction and Significance of Architecture: The text begins by emphasizing the importance of a well-constructed home for happiness and well-being, stating that all forms of comfort stem from a proper dwelling. It highlights that a home is the foundation for all other material possessions and that even great scholars and deities prioritize their homes.
The Science of Vastu Shastra: A substantial portion of the book is dedicated to Vastu Shastra, explaining:
- Auspicious Times and Directions: It details the best times (months, days, lunar phases) and directions for commencing construction and entering a home.
- Land Selection and Preparation: The text discusses how to examine and select land, including methods for soil testing and identifying auspicious spots. It also covers the removal of obstacles (Shalya Nidan) from the land.
- The Vastu Purusha: It explains the concept of the Vastu Purusha, the cosmic being associated with the dwelling, and the rituals for worshipping and appeasing him. It describes the Vastu Purusha's form and the placement of deities in different parts of the structure.
- Layout and Design Principles: The book provides guidelines for the layout of houses, temples, cities, and other structures, specifying proportions, measurements (using units like Hast, Angul, and Yav), and the placement of various components like doors, windows, columns, and rooms.
- Dravya Sahayaka (Material Support): While not explicitly detailed in the provided pages, the title suggests an emphasis on material aspects of construction.
Architectural Elements and Their Significance:
- Types of Buildings: It discusses the construction of various buildings, including residential homes, palaces, temples (Prasad), cities (Nagar), wells (Koopa), tanks (Talav), stepwells (Vavadi), and pavilions (Mandap).
- Town Planning: The text outlines principles for city planning, including the arrangement of roads, the placement of different communities (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra), and the design of various structures within the city.
- Specific Components: It details the construction and placement of elements like doors (Dwar), entrances (Singhdwar), windows (Gavaksha), columns (Stambh), beams (Patta), plinths (Peeth), stairs, and decorative elements.
- Materials and Construction Techniques: While the provided text is in Gujarati, it refers to traditional construction methods, materials like stone, wood, and possibly metals, and the importance of proper measurement and proportion.
Auspiciousness and Malefics (Vastu Dosha): The text emphasizes the need to avoid inauspicious placements and configurations in architecture. It details specific directions and layouts that are considered detrimental to well-being, wealth, and longevity. It also discusses remedies and auspicious configurations.
Celestial Influences and Timing: The book integrates astrological principles, explaining the influence of planets, constellations (Nakshatras), and lunar phases on construction and Vastu. It provides guidelines for selecting auspicious timings for various stages of construction.
Historical Context and Examples: The author references ancient architects and their works, mentioning examples like the Dilwara Jain temples in Abu and the Mahavira temple in Siddhpur. It also acknowledges the decline of Shilpa Shastra due to historical events like invasions and the destruction of texts.
The Role of Architects (Shilpkara): The text implicitly highlights the skills and knowledge required of architects, emphasizing their understanding of mathematics, astronomy, and various crafts.
Specific Chapters/Adhyayas: The index indicates a structured approach, with chapters covering:
- Chapter 1: Auspicious timings, directions for homes, land testing, Vastu Purusha, auspicious trees, and measurements.
- Chapter 2: Vastu Purusha details, Yantras (diagrams), worship, and auspicious placements.
- Chapter 3: Ayadi Lakshana (principles of measurement and proportion), Nakshatras, and astrological calculations.
- Chapter 4: City planning, water structures (wells, tanks), royal courts, proportions of walls, doors, and columns.
- Chapter 5: Royal residences, ministerial dwellings, and various other types of structures.
- Chapter 6: Details about different types of halls (Shala), residential plans, beds, thrones, and decorative elements.
- Chapter 7: Specific architectural layouts for houses, temples, and monasteries.
- Chapter 8: Detailed descriptions and measurements of various architectural features and decorative elements like thrones, umbrellas, gateways, and decorative columns.
- Chapter 9: Further architectural layouts and classifications of dwellings for different individuals and purposes.
- Chapter 10: Measurement techniques, calculations, and the application of geometry in architecture.
- Chapter 11: Astrological influences on Vastu, auspicious timings for various events, and human body-based measurements.
- Chapter 12: Shagun Shastra (the science of omens) related to auspicious and inauspicious signs.
- Chapter 13: Auspicious timings for various ceremonies like C-section (Simanta Karma), Annaprashan, and commencing learning.
- Chapter 14: Omens and their interpretations, particularly related to animal behavior and natural phenomena during travel or construction.

Key Figures Mentioned:

Narayanbharati Yashwantabharti Gosai: The author who translated and compiled the work from older texts.
Vishwakarma: Revered as the divine architect and credited with originating Shilpa Shastra.
Mandan: A renowned architect and author of several Vastu-related texts, who is believed to have been associated with Maharana Kumbha.
Nathu: Mandan's brother, also an architect.
Kalaapurnasurishwarji Maharaj & Kalaaprabhasurishwarji Maharaj & Vidyutprabha Shriji & Vikramindra Shriji & Indra-Yasha Shriji: Spiritual figures and disciples associated with the preservation and dissemination of this knowledge, indicating a Jain tradition behind this work.
Mahadev Ramchandra Jagushte: The publisher.
Himmatvijayji & Mahasukhram Naranji: Individuals who assisted Narayanbharati in the translation and preparation of the book.

Significance:

"Rajvallabha" serves as a valuable repository of traditional Indian architectural knowledge, blending practical construction principles with astrological and spiritual insights derived from Vastu Shastra. It reflects a worldview where the built environment is intricately linked to the well-being of its inhabitants and the cosmos. The book's preservation and re-publication, particularly within a Jain context, highlight the continued relevance and appreciation of these ancient sciences.