Natyashastra
दश प्रयोक्तृभिः स्तम्भाः शक्ता मण्डपधारणे । स्तम्भानां बाह्यतश्चापि सोपानाकृति पीठकम् ॥ ९०॥
Ten practitioners are capable of supporting the pillars for the construction of the pavilion. Additionally, the outer sides of the pillars should form a stair-like platform (sopāna) for added stability.
english translation
daza prayoktRbhiH stambhAH zaktA maNDapadhAraNe । stambhAnAM bAhyatazcApi sopAnAkRti pIThakam ॥ 90॥
hk transliteration by Sanscript