EZEKIEL’S VISION OF A TEMPLE

(According to South Indian Temple Architecture)

Part -1

+ ½ ½ + ½ ½ +

Ancient Linear Measuring Scale.

T.L.Subash Chandira Bose, Sthapathi V.Raman and Jack Andrews

All over the world many linear measuring scales were found but none of them match with each other. Many scholars and researchers spent their valuable time and finally concluded that the ancient practice of deciding the measurement of linear scale might be originated from some unknown locations in this mother earth.

In India especially in Tamil Nadu many researchers found number of different type of ancient linear measuring scales. The most common scales are Mannai Kol, Ulagalantha Kol, Nilamalantha Kol, Nanjai Kol, Punjai Kol, and Sirpanga Kol. In addition there are few linear scale such as Thalai Kol etc. We find the linear scale with the same name varies in its measurements. Hence the ancient linear measuring scale and its variation in measurement remain as an unsolved mystery.

Location: Mostly we can observe the ancient linear measuring scales marked on the base (Athisthanam) of the temples, walls of temples, temple floor, and temple vestibules and near by the entry gates of temples.

Direction: Most commonly ancient linear measuring scales were found towards north or south direction, in very cases towards east or west.

Identification: Mostly with two or three or more plus (+) marks. Some cases only with the vertical lines and few were found with plus (+) mark at the ends and vertical line or lines in the middle. The distance in between the both marks at extreme end was the actual measurement of the scale.

Mostly the name of the scale inscribed within the marks, or nearby. There are many cases the details about scale mentioned in the ancient script inscribed on the near by walls.

For any construction there must be a measurement, we find in book of Ezekiel the description of linear measuring scale indicated in very beginning in the chapter “Ezekiel’s vision of Temple. 40.3 – 40.5

“When he brought me there, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like bronze, with a line of flax and a measuring reed in his hand; and he was standing at the gate way.”

“And the man said to me, son of man, look with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your mind upon all that I shall show you, for you were brought here in order that I might show it to you; declare all that you see o the house of Israel.”

“And behold, there was a wall all around the outside of the temple area, the length of the measuring reed was six long cubits, each being a cubit and a hand breadth in length; so he measured the thickness of the wall, one reed; and the height, one reed.”

By considering the importance of the linear measuring scale, we shall discuss in detail also by reproducing few references from various ancient texts.

The System of Measurement, Maya mata- Chapter-5 translated by Bruno Dagens.

5.1 : All habitations are defined by their dimensions. Iam going to present as well, methodically though in few words, the system of measurements.

5.2 : The Manangula is known to be a multiple of an atom, defined as that which can be perceived by the vision of those who have mastered their senses.

5.3-6a : Eight atoms are equal to a speck of dust, in multiplying each eight time by eight, we go from a speck of dust to the tip of a hair, then to a nit, to a louse and finally to a grain of barley. Eight barley grains make a digit (angula), which is called matra. Twelve digits makes a span (vitrasi) twice which is cubit (hasta), called by the learned, as well, kisku; twenty –five digits make a prajapatya, twenty –six a dhanurmusti and twenty- seven a dhanurgraha

5.6a-11a: For vehicle and seats the cubit (is used), for buildings the dhanurmusti and for the villages and so on the dhanurgraha; the ordinary cubit however may serve for any building; it is called ratni, aratni, bhuja, bahu and kara. Four cubits makes a pole, also called yasti; eight poles (danda) makes a rope (rajju), villages are to be measured in poles as are pattana, (towns), nigama, kheta, palaces…. etc.; but house are to be in cubits. The sage should employ the span for vehicle and seat, the digit for small (objects) and the barley grain for very small ones. Such is the system of measurements.

5.11b-12 : The matrangula is equal to the middle phalanx of the middle finger of the officiating priest; it is (to be used for measurements relating to) sacrifices…etc.; that which has just been mentioned is also called “ digit taken from the body” (dehalabdhangula).

5.13a : Knowing all this the architect must measure rigorously.

The Purusa (=Prajapati), the non-supreme (apara) and first form of the supreme Brahman (Para-Brahman), identified with Visavkarman, the Architect of Universe, bears the measuring rod (mana, from ma), knows the divisions and thinks himself composed of parts. Thus divided and measured out, Purusa thinks of himself as the Goddess Uma, whose name, like maya, is from root ma, “to measure”: she is the “the measured out”, the manifested world come into existence by the thinking of Purusa. By thinking himself as divided and composed of parts he measures out cosmos.

We also find in SBr. X. 2.1.2.3: He measures it (the fire altar) by finger breaths: for the sacrifice being a man (Purusa), it is by him that every thing is measured here. Now these, to with the fingers, are his lowest measure (avama matra): he thus secures for him (the sacrificial man or the Yajamana) that lowest measure of his and therewith he thus measures him. He measure by twenty-four finger-breaths-Gayatri verse consists of twenty-four syllables, and Agni is of the Gayatra nature: as great as Agni is as great as his measure, by so much he thus measure him.

From the above the measurement of first person created by God Purusa or Adam Kadam is to be considered for finalizing the measurement of the linear scale and the twenty-four finger breath is to be selected. Also we find the measurement of priest or Yajamana (the chief or the donour) is to be taken. The measurement of man taken from his height. There is an ancient proverb in Tamil “Enn Jhan Udambuku Thalie Prathanam”, which means” The head is vital part of the body having eight span (vitrasi) of length”. We have already seen twice the span (vitrasi) is the cubit (hasta) which is of twenty-four finger breath.

The Cubit in Tamil Mulam, in Hebrew ammah ("mother of the arm" which is in Tamil “Mother”), the forearm, was the nominal distance from one's elbow to the fingertip; the term "cubit" is from the Latin cubitus, the lower arm.

According to Geometry of Ancient India Page.44 – Swami Satya Prakash Sarasvati: The measurement of hand breath is four-finger braedth.

We find in book of Ezekiel the linear measuring scale was six long cubits long. The each long cubit was of a cubit and handbreadth in measurement. There fore the measurement of a long cubit shall be twenty-eight fingerbreadth. Some thing amazing the measurement of a cubit is six times of a handbreadth; and the measurement of the reed is six long cubits. The measurement of long cubit is seven times of a handbreadth and the reed is seven times of cubit. Due to some specific reason the number seven considered instead of six. We find in entire holy bible the number seven play a vital roll and also in all the religion and culture in the entire world. We would like to emphasis that the number seven was considered a Sacred Number in Ancient times. Hence we conclude “Seven as a Sacred Number”.

According to Sri Devi Bagavatham, in kaliyuga (2003 A.D = 5109 th. year in Kaliyuga) the average height of a Purusa was six feet, as we seen earlier total height of a man shall be eight span (vitrasi) (one span= 12 fingers) this means 8 x 12 = 96 fingers. Where as in British system 6 x 12 = 72 inches. There fore the ratio shall be 72: 96. Hence 0.75 inches = 1 finger.

During the King Solomon period the measurement selected for the temple construction was a standard cubit, this means for standard measurement a person of six feet height was selected. The Hebraic cubit is one foot nine inches i.e. 21 inches.

Based on the above the measurement we can concluded that the Ezekiel’s linear measuring scale the long cubit 21 inches and the reed 126 inches. Let us have a look at few ancient linear measuring scales.

An ancient linear measuring scale (1000 A.D), ulagalantha kol (stick used to measure the world), with two plus (+) marks having total length of 128.5 inches was found at the tower of Vadavaraneswarar Temple, Thiruvalankadu by Dr. Kudavail Balasubramanian. The ancient inscription with in the scale, identify that this scale was marked based on the inscription in Rararajaeswarar (Big temple) temple situated at Tanjavur, Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu. Which is very close to Ezekiel’s linear measuring scale. Another scale with the measurement of 28.5 inches also found with extended plus (+) marks adjacent the main scale. If the main scale divided by four and a half, we find the result 28.55555556 inches, which is almost equal to 28.5 inches.

An ancient linear measuring scale (800 A.D.) “Mannai “ (Mannai Kol) with two plus (+) marks having total length of 113.5 inches was found by one of the authors of this article Sthapathi V.Raman at Shree Kailasanathar temple situated at Alambakkam, Tiruchirapalli District. In the near by stone inscription, a land of “ Mannai Kol four and half” with this measurement land was measured and given as gift. So the actual measurement of the linear scale “Mannai” was 510.75 inches.

With the above referene we observe the linear scale shown in ancient period has to be multiplied with some factors for actual measurement.

There is an another verse in Rig veda book 10: “Purusa, who had a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet, investing the earth in all direction exceeds (it by a space) measuring ten fingers.”

Considering the sacred number seven if we try to select a linear scale: Seven times of ten fingers and by six times the measurement of the reed would be 10 x 7 x 6 = 420 fingers or 315 inches. Interestingly an ancient linear measuring scale (1200 A.D), Nilamalantha kol (stick used to measure the lands), with two plus (+) marks having total length of 157.5 inches was found in Thiruchendurai temple situated at Jeeya puram, Trichirapalli district, Tamil Nadu (Thanks to Dr.Kazaikovan). We surprised to observe 157.5 inches is half of 315 inches.

The ancient linear measuring scale “Punjai Kol” with + (plus) mark (at the right) found by Sthapathi V.Raman. We will provide many pictures of ancient Linear Measuring scale in a separate disk

We finally conclude that the number Seven is a Sacred number, the same was considered in the selection of linear measuring scale of Ezekiel’s Long Cubit and a Reed, which were 21 inches and 126 inches respectively. (Part-2 shall be continued)

“Suggestions and comments are Most welcome”

T.L. Subash Chandira Bose: lscbose@eth.net