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Page 29
building. They describe soil test experiments to determine the suitability of the land for construction. To determine the quality of the soil, the builder was instructed to create a cavity in the site, which he then refilled with the same soil. If the soil did not refill the cavity, the site should be rejected. It could not support the strength of a construction. If the soil refilled the cavity, the quality of the soil was fair, not particularly special. But if the soil was so plentiful that it spilled over the cavity, the site was ideal. This soil was firm and compact; it would not settle or shift under the weight of a building after construction.
To determine if there was adequate underground water for a well, the builder was to dig an area in the site to the depth of a man standing with his arms held straight above his head. If the site hit water at that depth, this indicated adequate water. To determine if a site was too arid, the builder was advised to dig out some of the site and fill it with water. If there was no water left, the soil was too dry. If most of the water remained, the site was too moist and should be rejected. If some of the water remained in the hole twenty-four hours later, the soil was potentially good.
These tests to analyze the soil quality and water availability were highly logical. And throughout the texts, scientific reasoning flowed right along with spiritual beliefs. Placement and orientation of a dwelling for a mortal or deity, commentaries about construction of furniture and conveyances that were used back thenall reveal common sense and reinforce Vedic theories about creation.
After all, creation of a man-made structure for the gods or kings or the simplest mortal had to strive for the perfection exhibited in the creation of the universe. Architects and their craftsmen had to follow the example of the celestial architect, Vishwakarma, and adhere to the principles of order and harmony and all the other pillars of the Vedic philosophy.

 
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