মৎস্যপুরাণের আলোকে বাস্তুশাস্ত্র : প্রাচীন স্থাপত্য বিদ্যার রূপরেখা/ Matsyapurāner Āloke Bāstuṥāstra : Prācīn Sthāpatya Bidyār Rūparekhā

Abstract

The Matsyapurāṇa is one of the most diverse and significant works of ancient Purāṇic literature. Centered on the Matsya (fish) avatār of Lord Viṣṇu, this Purāṇa contains accounts of the dialogue between Manu and the Fish, the description of creation, philosophical inquiries, Manvantaras, various rituals, and descriptions of India’s famous royal dynasties. Amidst these Purāṇic discussions, one can observe a blend of logical, evidence-based, and realistic scientific perspectives. Among the Mahāpurāṇas, the analysis of the origin and expansion of various scientific branches is particularly noteworthy.

          One such renowned scientific branch is Bāstuṥāstra (Architecture). A fundamental tenet of Indian science is viewing the material world through the lens of spiritual consciousness—where a building is not merely a place of residence but a miniature reflection of the cosmos. Architecture is not just about bricks and stones; it is a proven applied science. This essay analyzes the thematic discussions of Indian Bāstuṥāstra through several perspectives: Philosophical and Cosmic, Perspective, Geographical and Geological Perspective, Astronomical Perspective, Architectural Aspects.  

​        The history of Indian Bāstuṥāstra began with Vedic literature and later found a prominent presence in the Purāṇas. The philosophical or religious background of these ancient texts highlights the true nature of Indian scientific practice. Above all, according to the Samarāṅgana Sūtradhāra, ‘Bāstu’ refers to land or a place that is habitable and where architectural construction follows natural and cosmic laws. The objective of this writing is to highlight the fascinating continuous discourse of this field in the light of the Matsyapurāṇa.