The Essence of “Aintiram”: An Ancient Tamil Canon of Cosmic Architecture
The “Aintiram” stands as a seminal scripture in the realm of Tamil architectural philosophy, marking one of history’s earliest explorations into the enigmatic concept of space — a vital constituent woven into the cosmic tapestry. Traditionally, the wisdom of “Aintiram” is linked to the sage Mayan, also revered as Mayamuni. His teachings have profoundly shaped various facets of Indian heritage, branching into the sacrosanct Vastu Shastra — the classical science of architecture — as well as the revered traditions of music and dance.
Philosophical Underpinnings: The text articulates a compelling vision of creation, conceptualizing space (akasha) as a matrix pulsating with pure, vibrant consciousness (pranava). It posits a universe where material form is the orchestration of rhythmic vibratory patterns (nada) harmonized with the temporal flow (kaala).
Quintessential Elements: Echoing its title, “Aintiram” delves into five intrinsic aspects of existence that interlace to manifest the universe and our perceivable world. These aspects frequently align with the quintet of elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether — and are symbolically tied to human sensory experiences: sight, taste, touch, sound, and smell.
Harmony of Forms and Rhythms: The treatise advances the notion that the foundational principles steering architectural design are inextricably linked to the cadences of music and the expressive art of dance, reflecting the universal architecture.
Blueprints of Sanctity: Through its verses, “Aintiram” lays the cornerstones for Vastu Shastra, accentuating the significance of exactitude in proportion, orientation, and alignment. This precision fosters harmonious edifices that resonate with the order and vibrancy of the cosmos.
Cultural Resonance: The influence of “Aintiram” permeates Tamil culture and the broader Dravidian architectural practices. Structures erected on its doctrines are thought to throb with life, propelling the collective and individual spiritual ascent.
Geometrical Consonance: The scripture places a premium on mathematical rigor and geometrical motifs, asserting that such precision catalyzes an alignment with natural laws, engendering stability and favorable energetics within the constructed milieu.
Sacred Geometries: The utilization of mandalas and yantras — sacred geometrical diagrams emblematic of divine energies — traces its origin to the profound insights offered by “Aintiram,” serving purposes that span from temple architecture to personal meditative exercises.
The Convergence of Disciplines: “Aintiram” transcends ordinary scholarly bounds to manifest as a meta-science. It amalgamates the physical with the metaphysical, fostering a comprehensive framework to comprehend and sculpt the living environment.
Legacy of Mayan: The “Aintiram,” ascribed to the visionary Mayan, translates to “five hundred” — a nod to the anthology’s assembly of 500 potent verses that unveil the symbiotic nexus between temporal-spatial dynamics, artistic creation, and structural design. This timeless work, speculated to have originated in the 1st millennium BCE, endures as a testament to the sagacity embedded in Tamil traditions of urban development and spiritual architecture.
Quote from the Mayamuni. 1997. Mayan’s Aintiram. Vaastu Vedic Research Foundation.:
„To put it precisely the central themes, repeatedly explained from various perspectives in this work are: 1) Primal Space Source, 2) Time, 3) Rhythm, 4) Form/ Structure and 5) Matter. That is why this work has been named as ‘AINTIRAM’ meaning the five energetic creative factors.
Maya expatiates upon these five factors through the science and technology of four sided frames consisting of 64 squares, its central space, primal dot-centre of the central space, eight-unit dynamism, variant positions and modifications assumed by the frame of 64 squares, swift movement of time occurring at the central dot, operative process of time at the bordering spaces of the frame of 64 squares, creative function of space-time continuum, creative identity and inseparable relationship between sound energy and light energy, space and time and consequently between these and the frame of 64 squares, the elective participation of numbers and letters in each and every phase of creation and such other related principles.“(p.v)
