Vishvakarmaprakash - Book Summary

Certainly! Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Vishvakarmaprakash" based on the provided information and text:

Book Title: Vishvakarmaprakash Author: Unknown Publisher: Unknown Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/034186/1

Summary:

The "Vishvakarmaprakash" is a Jain text that functions as a comprehensive treatise on architecture and construction, drawing heavily from the principles of Vastu Shastra. The text is presented with a Hindi commentary ("Bhasha Teeka"). It aims to guide individuals and communities in building auspicious and harmonious structures, from individual homes to larger public edifices and religious institutions.

The text begins with invocations to deities like Ganesh, Saraswati, and Mahesh, emphasizing the importance of divine blessings for successful endeavors. It then delves into the foundational concepts of Vastu Shastra, explaining its origins and significance.

Key Themes and Content:

The Origin of Vastu Purusha: The text narrates the mythological story of the creation of the Vastu Purusha, a cosmic being whose form is integrated into every building. It describes how the Vastu Purusha was created by Brahma, subdued by the gods, and how its worship became essential for auspicious construction. The text specifies the Vastu Purusha's birth details, including the day, month, constellation, yoga, and karana, highlighting its divine origin.
Importance of Vastu Puja: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to the necessity of performing Vastu Puja. It explains that this ritual should be conducted during various stages of construction and habitation, including the commencement of house building, housewarming, and even during annual rituals, auspicious events like births and weddings, renovation of old structures, and after the removal of obstacles (shalya). It lists specific situations where Vastu Shanti is crucial, such as in houses affected by negative influences like owls, crows, or sounds of animals, or those damaged by natural elements.
Land and Site Selection (Bhoomi Lakshana): The text provides detailed descriptions of ideal land characteristics. It categorizes land based on color, smell, taste, and shape, associating specific qualities with different social strata (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra). It describes auspicious land shapes (square, circular, etc.) and those to be avoided (triangular, irregular, those resembling animals or weapons). The importance of testing the soil for fertility and purity is also emphasized.
Prosperity and Obstacles from Land Shapes: The text elaborates on the auspicious and inauspicious consequences associated with various land shapes, linking them to wealth, progeny, happiness, and potential dangers.
Earth Testing Methods (Bhoomi Pariksha): Various methods for testing the suitability of land are outlined, including digging and refilling the soil, filling a pit with water and observing its level, and using fire (lamps) to assess its qualities. The text suggests planting seeds and observing their growth as another indicator of the land's fertility.
Omens (Shakuna and Apshakuna): The text details auspicious omens to be observed during housewarming and construction. These include sounds of conches, music, presence of auspicious items, and positive interactions. Conversely, it lists inauspicious omens like harsh sounds, negative encounters, and the presence of ill omens, emphasizing the need to avoid such signs.
Groundbreaking and Foundation Rites (Khanan Vidhi): The text describes the ritualistic process of groundbreaking. This involves selecting an auspicious time, performing pujas to deities like Ganesha and the Navagrahas, purifying the land, and consecrating a pot with various sacred items. The procedure for digging and placing the foundation stone is also explained.
Directional Placement and Cosmic Alignment: The text discusses the importance of the Vastu Purusha's orientation (face) based on the lunar cycle and months, and how the house's orientation should align with it for prosperity. It also details the positions of Rahu and the Moon's influence on construction activities.
Astrology and Timing (Kaal Vinirnay): The text stresses the significance of astrological calculations for choosing auspicious days, times, lunar phases, constellations, and planetary alignments for various construction stages. It warns against certain inauspicious combinations.
Prosperous and Detrimental Planetary Influences: The text explains how the positions of planets at the time of construction influence the outcome, detailing the benefits of favorable planetary placements and the detriments of unfavorable ones.
Construction Materials and Measures: The text discusses the appropriate use of wood, stone, brick, and other materials, along with their specific measurements and proportions. It provides guidelines for constructing different parts of a building, such as pillars, doors, windows, and walls, often linking the materials and sizes to the social status of the inhabitants.
Types of Buildings and Their Dimensions: A considerable portion is dedicated to describing various types of buildings, including palaces, houses, temples, water structures (tanks, wells), and residential quarters for different social classes and professions. It provides specific dimensional guidelines for each.
Specific Building Types:
- Palaces: Detailed descriptions and measurements for royal residences, including those for kings, queens, ministers, and other courtiers.
- Temples (Prasada): Guidelines for constructing temples, their various parts, and the placement of deities. The text emphasizes the merit of building temples, especially for Lord Vishnu.
- Water Structures (Vapi, Kupa, Talaga): The text explains the construction of wells, tanks, and ponds, emphasizing their auspicious placement and the importance of pure water.
- Residential Houses: Detailed layouts and measurements for houses based on the social class of the occupants.
- Other Structures: Mentions of pavilions (Mandapa), gateways (Dwara), and fortifications (Durga).
Detailed Architectural Elements: The text elaborates on:
- Pillars (Stambha): Descriptions of different types and their measurements.
- Doors (Dwara): Guidelines for placement, size, and auspicious timings, including the concept of "Dwara Veda" (forbidden door alignments).
- Walls (Bhitti): Proportionate construction.
- Roofs and Shikhara: Measurements and designs for spires.
- Pavilions (Mandapa): Descriptions of various types and their benefits.
- Water Bodies: Rules for ponds, wells, and stepwells.
- Fortifications (Durga): Strategies for building defensive structures.
Shalya Nidan (Diagnosis of Defects) and Remedies: The text explains how to identify potential defects in construction sites and buildings, often linked to physical ailments or misfortunes. It also suggests ways to rectify or mitigate these issues, often through specific pujas and rituals.
Proportions and Measurements: The text utilizes a system of measurements based on hands (hasta), finger widths (angula), and units like 'pada' (a unit of measurement in Vastu), providing precise proportions for different elements.
The Final Chapters: The latter part of the text continues with the detailed descriptions of building various structures like residential houses, water bodies, and fortifications, along with their specific rules, auspicious times, and the importance of celestial alignments. It concludes with the methods of performing Vastu Puja, offering oblations (bali) to various deities and spirits, and the final consecration rites.

In essence, "Vishvakarmaprakash" serves as a practical manual for Jain followers, integrating spiritual, astrological, and architectural knowledge to ensure the creation of buildings that promote well-being, prosperity, and spiritual harmony. It emphasizes that every aspect of construction, from land selection to the final placement of a stone, carries cosmic significance and requires careful planning and ritualistic observance.