Dimensions of Royal Residences in Vāstuśāstra
Residences of Kings (Nṛpa Gṛha)
The palace of a king (nṛpa-maṇḍira) should measure 108 hastas in width. Its length must be one-fourth more than the width, i.e.,
- Width = 108 hastas
- Extra length = 27 hastas (¼ of 108)
- Total length = 135 hastas
Thus, the royal palace should ideally be 108 x 135 hastas in dimension.
In addition to the main palace, four more palaces should be constructed for the king, each 8 hastas less in width than the previous one, keeping the same proportion of length being one-fourth more than width. Altogether, five palaces for the king are described, and these are considered auspicious.
Residences of the Commander-in-Chief (Senāpati)
The principal residence of the senāpati should be 64 hastas in width. The remaining four houses for him should each be 6 hastas less in width than the previous one. The length of each residence should be one-sixth more than its width. In this way, five residences are prescribed for the commander.
Residences of Ministers (Mantrī) and Secretaries (Sāciva)
The chief residence of a minister should be 60 hastas in width, with four additional houses each 4 hastas less than the previous one. Their length should be one-eighth more than the width.
The text also notes that the final portion of this rule applies to the residences of the king’s queens (mahishi).
Residences of Queens and the Crown Prince (Mahishi and Yuvarāja)
- Queens (Mahishi) – The queen’s chief residence should be half the size of the minister’s house. Hence, the principal residence measures 30 hastas in width, with length slightly greater (33 hastas and 18 aṅgulas).
- Crown Prince (Yuvarāja) – The main residence should be 80 hastas in width, and the length should be one-third more than the width (106 hastas and 16 aṅgulas).
The houses of the prince's brothers should be half the size of the prince's.
Residences of Nobles and Royal Officials (Sāmantas and Pradhāna Rājapuruṣa)
The difference in dimensions between the king’s residence and the minister’s residence serves as the measure for the residences of the nobles (sāmanta), royal sons, and senior officers.
Residences of Guards, Courtesans, and Artists (Kañcuka, Veśyā, Kalājña)
The difference in dimensions between the king’s residence and the crown prince’s residence serves as the standard for the houses of bodyguards, courtesans, and artists.
Residences of Messengers and Officers (Dūta, Adhyakṣa, Adhikr̥ta)
The difference in dimensions between the residences of the Yuvarāja and the ministers is to be applied for building the houses of departmental heads, messengers, and skilled officials.
Houses for Departmental Employees
For the subordinate employees under the department heads, houses should be built with the same measurement as that of the Ratigṛha (pleasure house) and Kośagṛha (treasury).
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Dimensions of Royal Astrologer, Priest, and Physician Houses
The houses of the Daivañj (royal astrologer), Rāja-vaidya (royal physician), and Rāja-purohita (royal priest) should be 40 hastas wide and 46 hastas plus 16 aṅgulas long. The remaining four houses should be 4 hastas shorter each, in succession. (145)
The king’s principal house should have a width of 108 hastas and a length of 135 hastas (its “Savāya” or proportionate length). Similarly, the second house should have a width 8 hastas less, i.e., 100 hastas, and its length Savāya = 125 hastas. In the same way, for the convenience of other houses, a table has been provided showing the proportional width and length for each.
राजा आदि के पञ्चगृहों के क्षेत्रफल कौ तालिका
| प्रथम गृह | द्वितीय गृह | तृतीय गृह | चतुर्थ गृह | पंचम गृह | माप (नाप) का प्रमाण | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| हाथ | अंगुल | हाथ | अंगुल | हाथ | अंगुल | हाथ | अंगुल | हाथ | अंगुल | ||
| १ राजा राष्ट्रपति | १०८ | ० | १०० | ० | ९२ | ० | ८४ | ० | ७६ | ० | विस्तार (चौड़ाई) |
| १३५ | ० | १२५ | ० | ११५ | ० | १०५ | ० | ९५ | ० | दैर्घ्य (लम्बाई) | |
| २ सेनापति | ६४ | ० | ५८ | ० | ५२ | ० | ४६ | ० | ४० | ० | विस्तार (Width) |
| ७४ | १६ | ६७ | १६ | ६० | १६ | ५३ | १६ | ४६ | १६ | दैर्घ्य (Length) | |
| ३ मन्त्री | ६० | ० | ५६ | ० | ५२ | ० | ४८ | ० | ४४ | ० | विस्तार (Wideness) |
| ६७ | १२ | ६३ | ० | ५८ | १२ | ५४ | ० | ४९ | १२ | दैर्घ्य (Lengthness) | |
| ४ रानी | ३० | ० | २८ | ० | २६ | ० | २४ | ० | २२ | ० | विस्तार (Broadness) |
| ६७ | १२ | ६३ | ० | ५८ | १२ | ५४ | ० | ४९ | १२ | दैर्घ्य (Lengthiness) | |
| ५ युवराज | ८० | ० | ७४ | ० | ६८ | ० | ६२ | ० | ५६ | ० | विस्तार (Amplitude) |
| १०६ | १६ | ९८ | १६ | ९० | १६ | ८२ | १६ | ७४ | ० | दैर्घ्य (Tediousness) | |
| ६ युवराज के अनुज | ४० | ० | ३७ | ० | ३४ | ० | ३१ | ० | २८ | ० | विस्तार (Breadth) |
| ५३ | ८ | ४९ | ८ | ४५ | ८ | ४१ | ८ | ३७ | ८ | दैर्घ्य (Elongation) | |
| ७ सामन्त | ४८ | ० | ४४ | ० | ४० | ० | ३६ | ० | ३२ | ० | विस्तार (फ़राखी) |
| ६७ | १२ | ६२ | ० | ५६ | १२ | ५१ | ० | ४५ | १२ | दैर्घ्य (तवालत) | |
| ८ कंचुकी आदि | २८ | ० | २६ | ० | २४ | ० | २२ | ० | २० | ० | विस्तार (अर्ज) |
| २८ | ८ | २६ | ८ | २४ | ८ | २२ | ८ | २० | ८ | दैर्घ्य | |
| ९ कर्मा-ध्यक्ष | २० | ० | १८ | ० | १६ | ० | १४ | ० | १२ | ० | विस्तार (दराजी) |
| ३९ | ४ | ३५ | १६ | ३२ | ४ | २८ | १६ | २५ | ४ | दैर्घ्य (वसीअ) | |
| १० दैवज्ञ | ४० | ० | ३६ | ० | ३२ | ० | २८ | ० | २४ | ० | विस्तार |
| ४६ | १६ | ४२ | ० | ३७ | ८ | ३२ | १६ | २८ | ० | दैर्घ्य | |
| ११ वैद्य | ४० | ० | ३६ | ० | ३२ | ० | २८ | ० | २४ | ० | विस्तार |
| ४६ | १६ | ४२ | ० | ३७ | ८ | ३२ | १६ | २८ | ० | दैर्घ्य | |
| १२ पुरोहित | ४० | ० | ३६ | ० | ३२ | ० | २८ | ० | २४ | ० | विस्तार |
| ४६ | १६ | ४२ | ० | ३७ | ८ | ३२ | १६ | २८ | ० | दैर्घ्य | |
Residences of Brāhmaṇas and Other Varṇas
Brāhmaṇa’s residence: 32 hastas in width, with length increased by one-tenth. Four additional houses, each 4 hastas less, are also built.
Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra: Each class has houses 4 hastas smaller than the previous varṇa’s house.
The best house for a Brāhmaṇa should measure 32 hastas. For a Kṣatriya it should be 28 hastas, for a Vaiśya 24 hastas, and for a Śūdra 20 hastas.
Dimensions of Rati-gṛha (Pleasure House) and Kośa-gṛha (Treasure House)
The difference in dimensions between the residences of the king and the commander defines the size of the treasure houses (kośa-gṛha) and pleasure houses (rati-gṛha).
The palace of the king has a width of 108 hastas, while that of the commander (Senāpati) is 64 hastas. Therefore, a Ratigṛha (pleasure house) or Kośagṛha (treasury) should be constructed with a width of 108 – 64 = 44 hastas.
In the same way, the length of the king’s palace is 135 hastas, and that of the commander’s is 74 hastas and 16 aṅgulas. Therefore, the Kośagṛha or Ratigṛha should be built 135 – 74 + 16 = 60 hastas and 8 aṅgulas long.
Residences of Royal Subjects (Rājapuruṣa Gṛha)
The difference between the houses of the king, commander, and other varṇas (castes) determines the dimensions of royal subjects’ houses.
- The distance between the commander’s house and a Brāhmaṇa’s house determines the size of a Brāhmaṇa Rājapuruṣa house.
- The distance between the commander’s house and a Kṣatriya’s house determines the Kṣatriya Rājapuruṣa house.
- The distance between the commander’s house and a Vaiśya’s house determines the Vaiśya Rājapuruṣa house.
- The distance between the commander’s house and a Śūdra’s house determines the Śūdra Rājapuruṣa house.
Different authorities have described this in various ways. For example, Kiraṇākhyatantra mentions:
“With 31 hastas and a small extension, the area is divided among the three houses. For Kṣatriyas and others, four hands should be added to the width. The height of eight parts is suitable for a Brāhmaṇa house.”
Similarly, Bṛhat Saṃhitā and Varāhamihira recommend that no house should be less than sixteen hastas in width.
ब्राह्मणादि चार वर्णों के कोशगृह तथा राजपुरुषगृहों के मान की तालिका
| जाति | उत्तम गृह | द्वितीय गृह | तृतीय गृह | चतुर्थ गृह | पंचम गृह | क्षेत्रफल के अंग | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| माप की इकाई→ | हस्त | अंगुल | हस्त | अंगुल | हस्त | अंगुल | हस्त | अंगुल | हस्त | अंगुल | |
| ब्राह्मण गृह | ३२ | ० | २८ | ० | २४ | ० | २० | ० | १६ | ० | विस्तार |
| ३५ | ५ | ३० | १९ | १६ | १० | २२ | ० | १७ | १४ | दैर्घ्य | |
| क्षत्रिय गृह | २८ | ० | २४ | ० | २० | ० | १६ | ० | X | X | विस्तार |
| ३१ | १२ | २७ | ० | २२ | १२ | १८ | ० | X | X | दैर्घ्य | |
| वैश्य गृह | २४ | ० | २० | ० | १६ | ० | X | X | X | X | विस्तार |
| २८ | ० | २६ | ८ | १८ | १६ | X | X | X | X | दैर्घ्य | |
| शूद्र गृह | २० | ० | १६ | ० | X | X | X | X | X | X | विस्तार |
| २५ | ० | २० | ० | X | X | X | X | X | X | दैर्घ्य | |
| कोश गृह | ४४ | ० | ४२ | ० | ४० | ० | ३८ | ० | ३६ | ० | विस्तार |
| ६० | ८ | ५७ | ८ | ५४ | ८ | ५१ | ८ | ४८ | ८ | दैर्घ्य | |
| रति गृह | ४४ | ० | ४२ | ० | ४० | ० | ३८ | ० | ३६ | ० | विस्तार |
| ६० | ८ | ५७ | ८ | ५४ | ८ | ५१ | ८ | ४८ | ८ | दैर्घ्य | |
| ब्राह्मण राजपुरुष का गृह | ३२ | ० | ३० | ० | २८ | ० | २६ | ० | २४ | ० | विस्तार |
| ३९ | ११ | २६ | २१ | ३४ | ६ | ३१ | १६ | २९ | २ | दैर्घ्य | |
| क्षत्रिय राजपुरुष का गृह | ३० | ० | २८ | ० | २६ | ० | २४ | ० | X | X | विस्तार |
| ३६ | २१ | ३४ | ६ | ३१ | १६ | २९ | २ | दैर्घ्य | |||
| वैश्य राजपुरुष का गृह | २८ | ० | २६ | ० | X | X | X | X | X | X | विस्तार |
| ३४ | ६ | ३१ | १६ | X | X | X | X | X | X | दैर्घ्य | |
| शूद्र राजपुरुष का गृह | ३६ | ० | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | विस्तार |
| ३१ | १६ | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | दैर्घ्य | |
Parashva and Other Varṇa-Based Residences
The difference in dimensions between Brāhmaṇa and Śūdra houses should correspond to the houses of Mūrdhābhishta (son of Brāhmaṇa male and Kṣatriya female) and Bhurjakaṇṭaka (son of Brāhmaṇa male and Veśyā female). The Parashva house should be constructed proportionally based on the difference between the parents’ houses. Later, houses for laborers and subordinate workers should be built according to necessity.
A son of a Brāhmaṇa male and Śra-stree female is called Parashva. A son of a Brāhmaṇa male and Veśyā female is called Bhurjakaṇṭaka. A son of a Brāhmaṇa male and Kṣatriya female is called Mūrdhābhishta.
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Dimensions of Chatush-Shala (Four-Hall) Houses
The height of a Chatush-Shala house should be measured as four hastas from the roof. The total height should not exceed 100 hastas, as higher buildings are considered inauspicious.
The measurement of Shala and Alinda is also prescribed according to the Senāpati and King’s residences. For example, if the combined area of the Senāpati and royal house is 70 units, dividing 14 units gives the Shala value, and dividing 35 units gives the Alinda value.
The Vīthikā (veranda) should extend three times the Shala measurement, placed outside the building, with the front used for storing clothing and the western side for bedrooms.
The central height of the house is calculated as 1/16th of the width plus 4 hastas, applied uniformly in all directions.
For the remaining parts of the house, the height decreases in successive stories, reducing by 1/12th per story.
Four Types of Verandas
According to Varāhamihira:
- A house with a veranda in the east is called Soṣṇīṣ.
- A house with a veranda in the west is called Sāmāśraya.
- A house with a veranda in the north is called Sāvaṣṭambha.
- A house with verandas on all sides is called a Su-sthita Vāstu.
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Royal Houses for Yajña (Rājasyūya)
For kings performing the Rājasyūya Yajña, the ideal house should measure 8½ Nalva in proportion.
According to the Sanskrit dictionary Vācaspatiyam and the Amarakosha, a measurement of 400 hastas is called Nalwa. In other references, a measurement of 100 hastas is also referred to as Nalwa.
Measurements for Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra houses are prescribed as 7½, 6½, 5½, and 3½ Nalva respectively.
Wall Thickness for Mud and Brick Houses
In every solid building, the wall thickness should be equal to 1/16th of its width (span). However, this rule does not apply to buildings made of wood; there, the wall thickness can be adjusted as per convenience.
Even in texts like the Garga Samhita, it is stated that the wall thickness should be 1/16th of the span. Any deviation, either less or more, is considered defective.
Dimensions of Main Gates
- The main gate of the king’s or commander’s house should measure 188 aṅgulas in height. Half of the height of the royal gate is calculated as 188 ÷ 2 = 94 angulas.
- The width of a Brāhmaṇa’s gate is 27 aṅgulas. Its height should be three times the width (27 * 3 = 81 aṅgulas).
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##Column specifications:
The thickness of the door frame should equal the height of the door in angulas. Add 12 angulas to this to determine the thickness of the threshold at the bottom.
Multiply the door height by seven and take 1/80th of this product to determine the upper tip (Mori Udambar). Multiply the pillar height by nine and divide by eighty to get the thickness of the pillar base.
The front part of the pillar should be 1/10th thinner than this.
A pillar with a square center is called "Ruchak." Sixteen-sided pillars are called "Dvivajra," eight-sided pillars are "Vajra," thirty-two sided pillars are "Pralinka," and circular pillars are "Vrittasthambha." These classifications are as per the scholars.
Vāstuśāstra prescribes precise dimensions for the residences of kings, ministers, queens, nobles, priests, and even laborers, ensuring harmony, proportion, and auspiciousness in the royal city.
These measurements reflect not only the social hierarchy but also the cosmic order, guiding the layout of the city and individual dwellings. From the grandeur of the king’s palace to the modest homes of commoners, every house is designed with exact proportions, creating a balanced and harmonious environment for all inhabitants.