Natyashastra

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प्रेक्षागृहाणां सर्वेषां तस्मान्मध्यममिष्यते । यावत्पाठ्यं च गेयं च तत्र श्रव्यतरं भवेत् ॥ २१॥

Among all the playhouses, the medium-sized one is considered the best, where the reading and singing are more pleasant and easier to hear.

english translation

[प्रेक्षागृहाणां सर्वेषां त्रिप्रकारो विधिः स्मृतः । विकृष्टश्चतुरस्रश्च त्र्यस्रश्चैव प्रयोक्तृभिः ॥) कनीयस्तु स्मृतं त्र्यस्रं चतुरस्रं तु मध्यमम् । ज्येष्ठं विकृष्टं विज्ञेयं नाट्यवेदप्रयोक्तृभिः ]॥ देवानां मानसी सृष्टिर्गृहेषूपवनेषु च । यत्नभावाभिनिष्पन्नाः सर्वे भावा हि मानुषा ॥ २२॥

In all playhouses, there are three types of construction methods remembered: the distorted (vikṛṣṭa), quadrangular (caturasra), and triangular (tryasra) designs, as stated by practitioners. The triangular type is considered the smallest, the quadrangular type is the medium, and the distorted type is the largest, to be known by those who practice the science of drama. The divine creation exists in houses and gardens, where all the emotions, born from effort and feeling, are present in human beings.

english translation

तस्माद्देवकृतैर्भावैर्न विस्पर्धेत मानुषः । मानुषस्य तु गेहस्य सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि लक्षणम् ॥ २३॥

Therefore, human beings should not compete with the emotions created by the gods. Now, I will describe the characteristics of a human's house.

english translation

भूमेर्विभागं पूर्वं तु परीक्षेत प्रयोजक । ततो वास्तु प्रमाणेन प्रारभेत शुभेच्छया ॥ २४॥

The practitioner should first examine the division of the land and then, with auspicious intent, begin the construction according to the prescribed measurements.

english translation

समा स्थिरा तु कठिना कृष्णा गौरी च या भवेत् । भूमिस्तत्रैव कर्तव्यः कर्तृभिर्नाट्यमण्डपः ॥ २५॥

The land should be level, firm, hard, black, or white, as it may be. It is on such a land that the construction of the playhouse (Nāṭyamaṇḍapa) should be carried out by the practitioners.

english translation