Preparation of Adamantine Glue (Vajralepa)

Varāhamihira closes the architecture cluster with a short, intensely practical chapter: how to make vajralepa, the "adamantine glue" (literally diamond-plaster) that the builder needs to fix images of the gods, bond masonry, and weatherproof a structure. Bhat notes the subject "is closely connected with that of construction of temples, mansions etc., because that was very essential for fixing idols, in constructing walls and the like when cement and other modern materials were unknown" — and that such glues, called aṣṭabandha, are still prepared in temple premises today to fix or re-fix the images of gods. Only one authority, Maya, is named by the author in this chapter (BS 57 intro, p591). [modern: Bhat 1981] The root verses are [classical]; Bhaṭṭotpala's (Utpala's) glosses are [traditional]; Bhat's botanical identifications and notes are [modern: Bhat 1981].

First recipe — the decoction-and-paste vajralepa

The first vajralepa is made in two stages: a decoction is boiled down, then resins and exudations are kneaded into its sediment (BS 57.1–3, p591).

Stage 1 — the decoction. Take the unripe fruits of Tinduka (Diospyros paniculata) and Kapittha (wood-apple, Feronia elephantum), flowers of the silk-cotton tree (Moras acedosa), seeds of Sallakī (Boswellia serrata), the bark of Dhanvana, and Vacā (orris-root). Boil all of them in one Droṇa (256 Palas) of liquid and reduce the decoction to an eighth of its original volume — i.e. to 32 Palas (BS 57.1–2, p591). [The Droṇa→eighth reduction is the standard cooking ratio repeated for the later glues as well.]

Stage 2 — the paste. Mix the resulting sediment with the following substances: Śrīvāsaka (a tree-secretion used as incense — turpentine?), myrrh, Guggulu (Commiphora roxburghii), Bhallātaka (marking-nut, Semecarpus anacardium), Kunduruka (cunduru — an exudation Bhat queries as deodar resin), resin, Atasī (linseed, Linum usitatissimum), and Bilva fruit (Aegle marmelos). The resulting paste is termed Adamantine Glue (Vajralepa) (BS 57.2–3, p591). [modern: Bhat 1981]

Use and durability. When this glue is applied hot in the construction of temples, mansions, windows, walls and wells, and in fixing Śiva's emblems (liṅgas) and idols of the gods, it will last for a crore of years (BS 57.3, p591–592).

Second recipe — the lac-and-soot vajralepa

"There is another adamantine glue of excellent qualities… which is also used for the same purpose" (BS 57.4, p592). It is composed of: lac, Kunduru, Guggulu (Commiphora roxburghii), soot collected in the house, wood-apple (Feronia elephantum), Bilva kernel (Aegle marmelos), fruits of Nāga (Canthium parviflorum), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Tinduka (Diospyros paniculata), Madana (Randia dumetorum), Madhūka (Cynometra ramiflora), Mañjiṣṭhā (madder, Rubia cordifolia), resin, myrrh, and Āmalaka (emblic myrobalan, Emblica officinalis) (BS 57.4, p592). [modern: Bhat 1981] The method of preparation is the same as before — i.e. boil and reduce as in the first recipe. Bhat notes a variant reading in one of the ingredient names (p592).

Third recipe — Vajratala, the "Adamantine Surface"

A third glue is named Vajratala ("Adamantine Surface"). It is animal-derived: it is constituted of the horns of cows, buffaloes and goats, the hair of donkeys, buffalo-hide and cow-hide, together with Neem fruits, wood-apples, and myrrh (BS 57.5, p592). This mixture, too, should be boiled and reduced as before; Bhat observes that here some organic (animal) substances enter the formula (p592). [modern: Bhat 1981]

Fourth recipe — Vajra-saṅghāta, the metallic compound of Maya

The fourth preparation, taught by Maya, is metallic rather than vegetal — a fused alloy/cement called Vajra-saṅghāta ("Adamantine Compound"):

Eight parts of lead, two parts of bell-metal (kāṁsya), and one part of iron-rust — this compound, "mentioned by Maya," is to be known as Vajra-saṅghāta (BS 57.6, p592). [classical]

Utpala's comment adds that this compound includes other materials as well, used in equal quantities — Bhat reads him to mean that the ingredients of the previous verses may also be added to this mixture, each in equal quantity (BS 57.6, p592–593). [traditional] Bhat reproduces a Sanskrit cf. verse attributed to Maya confirming the proportions — eight parts lead, two of bell-metal — and that the heated rīti (bell-metal/brass component) makes it "the one named adamantine" (p593). [modern: Bhat 1981]

With this metallic cement the chapter — and Part 1 of Bhat's edition — ends.