Chapter 17 - The description of joinery-work (sandhi-karman)

1-2. Joinery and the rules thereof are now described: the joining of timbers in buildings is called joinery (sandhi-karman).

3-4. The lower park (i.e. trunk) of a tree is strong and the upper part weak; the wise (architect) should, therefore, select (lit. join) all timbers from the lower part.

5-6. The wood should be selected in this way and be matched by the carpanter. The timbers should never be bent, broken or pointed.

7-10. (First) the mallabandha [-saṃbandha], secondly the brahma-rāja, (then) the joineries called veṇu-parva, pūga-parva, similarly the deva-sandhi, the ṛṣi-sandhi, the iṣu-parva, and the daṇḍika.—these are stated to be the eight kinds of joinery (which are formed) by joining timbers (as stated below).

11. When two pieces of timber axe joined there should be one joint: this is known as the mallabandha.

12-13. In joining three and four pieces of timber, there should be two and three joints respectively: this is called the brahma-rāja by the ancients versed in the science (of architecture).

14. With five pieces of timber there should be four joints: this is called the vaṇu-parva.

15. With sis pieces of timber there should be five joints: this is praised as the pūga-parva.

16. With seven pieces of timber there should be six joints: this is known as the deva-sandhi.

17-18. The ṛṣi-sandhi is (formed) of eight pieces of timber; above that (i.e., with nine pieces of timber) should be the joint which is called the iṣu-parva; (and) with many (more) pieces of timber and many joints is (formed) the daṇḍika.^[1]

19-21. The manner of joining work at the upper (uttara) part of pillars (pāda) and walls (kuḍya) with one or more materials which may be on the inside, outside, and top will be fully described here.

22. The eight joints known as mallabandha and otters should be employed in all houses.

23. The long, short, and middling (sama) timbers should be joined as directed before.

24-26. The male timber should be joined with male and the female with female, as also the male with female, but the neuter wood should not be joined with the male (or the) female wood in any house.

27-30. The wise (architect) should examine all the four sides of the wood on its outside by burning it again and again from left to right, and ascertain (its gender); the internal four sides should be also examined by looking at its face from the outside; the best architect should accurately ascertain its right and left sides.

31. The manner of arranging all kinds of wood, long, etc., will be described now.

32-33. The long as well as the bent wood should be joined ab the right (side of a structure); or the long wood may be in the middle, and the bent one at the left and the right,

34-35. In case of joining three pieces of wood (the rule) should be that the middling piece should be on the right, the long piece of wood should be in the middle, and the short one on the left.

36. The wood should be joined always at the top and bottom (i.e. at either end).

87. The bottom of a piece of wood should be towards the south when it is placed from south to north.

38. The bottom should be towards the west when the wood is placed from east to west.

39. The bottom joint should be towards the south-west when the wood is placed from west to south.

40. The top joint should be towards the north-east when, the wood is placed from east to north..

41. The top and the bottom should be joined in the south-east and north-west directions.

42. The joints at the top and the bottom of the hip (middle) part should be of hexagonal shape.

43. If, through ignorance, the top be bipartite the death of the master is inevitable.

44-46. If the wood be joined at the top part (uttara) its face should be at the middle (āliṅga) and th.3 lower part (udaya), the root being at the top and forepart at the bottom^[2]; this (rule) is preferred for the pillars (pāda) and other parts of all kinds of buildings.

47-48. The wood placed towards the east as a support should be hewed straight from top to bottom, and its end should be placed upwards leaning towards the east.

49-50. The wood should be hewed from top to bottom, the bottom being placed towards the west, and the piece thus hewed at the bottom should be placed at the top lying towards the south.

51. The bottom of the wood lying in the north should be joined with the top of the wood in the west.

52-53. The top of the piece of wood in the north should be joined above the top of the piece in the east: this joint is known as sarvatobhadra.

53-54. Similarly the pieces of wood in the east, etc., should be joined; by joining pieces of wood in tins way, the nandyāvarta (joint) is formed which is described here.

55. The wood placed in the east should project towards the south.

56. The wood lying in the south should project towards the west.

57. The wood placed in the west should project towards the north.

58. The wood placed in the north should project towards the east.

59. By (thus) joining wood with its support the joint should be made as (stated) before.

60. The nandyāvarta (joint) is thus described; the svastika is stated now.

61. All pieces of wood, placed in the east, should have their bottom towards the south and the top towards the north.

62. The wood, placed, in the south, should have its bottom towards the west and top towards the east.

63. The top and the bottom of these two (pieces of wood) should be joined in the south-east.

64. The wood, placed in the west, should have its bottom towaṛds the south and the top towards the north.

65. The pieces of wood, placed in the north, should have their bottom towards the west and the top towards the east,

66. As an alternative three tops of the pieces of wood may be joined in the north-west.

67. (When placed) in the south, west, and north, the wood should have its top towards the east and the north.

68. In the south-west and the north-west the wood should be joined in two joints.

69. The pieces of wood in the east and the south should have their tops in the west and the north.

70. The wise (architect) should join the pieces of wood in the south-east and the north-west by the outside.

71. This is the peculiarity of this (type of) joint; the support (ādhara) and the wood contained (ādheya) being as before.

72. The bottom of the wood should be supplied with holes and the top pointed.

73. The bole at the bottom of the wood in the south should be furnished with the point (śikhā) in the west.

74. In this way pieces of wood should be joined in the south-west.

75. So also in the south-east the pieces of wood should be fittingly joined.

76. The hole at the bottom of the wood in. the north should be furnished with the point (śikhā) is the west.

77. In the same way the best carpenter should join (the pieces of wood) in the north-west.

78. Thus is described the svastika (joint), the forepart of which should be fittingly joined in the north-east.

79. The wood in the east should be famished with a hole, and the top in the north should be furnished with a point (śikhā).

80. The support (i.e. where a piece of wood is joined) should have holes, and its forepart should be pointed.

81-82. A courtyard should be furnished in the central part of a dwelling, the outer sides of which should be fenced with wood, and the porch should be built at any convenient (desirable) sides and be joined as it may suit, with materials other than wood also.

83. The support and the joints, etc., all should be constructed as directed before.

84. This is called the vardha-māna (joint), and this should be employed in the vardha-māna (class of buildings).

85-87. The joining of wood at the top, etc., should be made as at the bottom; if it be omitted through ignorance, all prosperity would be ruined; this should, therefore, be avoided by the architect in all sorts of wood joining.

88-89. The manner of joining pieces of wood is described here; the joints will he stated now: the experts should make them suitably in such a way as if there were no joints.

90. With regard to joining wood in pillars the joints should be as aforesaid.

91. The wood of the pillar being divided into three parts, the middle One should be furnished with the points (śikhā).

92. Its height and width should be made equal, and the ear above should be furnished with points.

93. Holes should be made at the middle (and) lower part of the ear: the meṣa-yuddha (ram-fight) joint is (thus) formed.

94-96. There should be seven parts in the breadth, and three parts more (i.e. ten) in. the length; as an alternative the length of the ear may be one and a half times or twice the breadth; as an alternative this joint should be spread like a hood.

97. This should be made at the edge of the joint of all kinds of wood.

98. It is said that the hood may be of (any)-suitable size in order to fit in with the breadth.

99. Pins should be attached to the bottom and the top; this is known as the ardha-pāṇi (half-hand or hoof) joint.^[3]

100-102. (When) the same (joint) with two foreheads spreading breadthwise like the half moons, the middle, top, and bottom being furnished with teeth, and the rest being made as before, (then) it is known as the mahā-vṛtta (great circle) joint.

103. The three-fold ear of the circular types of these pillars will be described now.

104. The same should be furnished with three ears and three heads (cūlikā).

105. It should be furnished with a svasti-shape^[4] and pins in order to make it strong.

106. This is called the tri-karṇābha, (three-ear-shaped) joint, the rest being made as before.

107. The four sides of the meṣa-yuddha (ram-fight) joint should be furnished with four pikes.

108-109. When a plate is furnished at the middle of a quadrangular pillar like a diadem, and the joints are furnished with teeth, it is called the sarvatobhadra joint.

110. This is the direction for joints in the pillar; they should be made as strong as necessary.

111-112. The joints should be suitably furnished at the middle of the pillar just as at its upper portion in particular, as well at the ends of its mouldings.

113. The meṣa-yuddha joint should be employed in all kinds of stone pillars.

114-121. The length and width of pillars should be as before; the width, at the base of the pillar being divided into six (or) seven parts, the width of the base of the pillar may be increased by one part; and the height of the wooden shaft (vaṃśa) should be the same; the cornice (kuṭi) with arcitrave (uttara) should (together) be equal, three-fourths, or half (of the shaft); the width should be proportionate, and the height should be made as stated before; the perpendicular height of the cornice (kuṭi) and of the frieze (prati) should be equal; if the height be more or less it would always cause adversity.

122. Among the aforesaid heights of the joints the one which would make it beautiful should be selected.

123-124. The wise (architect;) should, as before, make the joints extend length-wise (perpendicularly) to the cornice, tha arcitrave and the frieze.

125. Śaṅku, aṇi, and śalya are the synonyms of the kīla (nail).

126. Vṛddha, śūla, and danta are the synonyms of the śikhā (point, apex).

127-128. The joints around the width of the pillar should be divided into eight, seven, or sis parts; of these, one part should be the width of the nail (kīla), and the length, of the spike (śūla) also (should be one part).

129. The spike and the nail: these two are said to be of equal length.

130. This length and breadth should be equal to the length of the nail above.

131. The length of all the nails (śalya) should be made according to one’s discretion and it should be as strong as necessary.

132. Nails should be attached at the side and middle of the joints.

133. In its centre should be the hood, afterwards the nail should be fixed.

134-135. The distance from the nail to the root of the hood should be equal to the breadth of the nail, and the edge of this hood above should be hewed by the best carpenter.

136. The length of the nail in front of this hood should be made equal.

137. At the two tongues and the bottom of the hood there should

be fixed three teeth.

138-141. Whatever (portion) is to be taken out (in order to fit it in) at the bottom of the lower tooth and at the top of the upper teeth should be hewed, it is stated, at the root of the band and at its top; and a half portion of the breadth or height should be hewed; and the middle nail should, as before, be furnished with points.

142. This is called the ishu-danta (joint); it should be made as strong as necessary.

143-145. It should be made like the foot of the crab to which should be fixed a hog’s snout; a nail should be fixed is the middle, and should be made sufficiently strong as required: this (joint) is known as the sūkara-ghrāṇa, (boar-snout).

146-148. I shall (now) describe Che saṃkīrṇa (short) joint; it should be suitably made sufficiently strong; various pikes and nails should be fixed to the wooden portion only: this should be (called) the saṃkīrṇa, joint, it is fife for all kinds of buildings.

149. In the brahma-mastaka (four-head) joint the pike, should be fixed to its face-like shape.

150-151. These are the five kinds of joints; they are used in all kinds of dwellings and also is walls, the front tooth being on the outside.

152. The main booth and the minor tooth should be attached, and the support and the thing supported should be fixed in.

153. The wood, attached at the side, should be fitted to the forepart of the crab.

154. If there be an end at the side for the wood, it would be auspicious for the outer side and the root part.

155. The base of the pillar like the root (of a tree) should be made (firm) of wood and stone.

156. The joints should be uniform (eka-rūpa) when they are of the same shape and are placed in rows.

157. The expert (architect) should make all these at the (top of the) upper storeys.

158. All their parts, if made in a reverse manner, will causa destruction.

159. The forepart of the length, of all pillars also should be furnished with points.

160-162. If the points (śikhā) be attached at the end of the waggon (ānasa) the distraction of the son and son’s son (of the master) will follow, and if they be attached at the side instead of at the middle of the column, and if the root of the joints project outside the master would suffer from increased grief.

163-166. Similarly if the root of the joints be at the middle it would destroy all prosperity, therefore the middle part of the pillar should be kept free of the middle joints; the part to be kept free should be but a line and the nails should be fixed around it: these joints are stated to form a part of the wood and bear the shape of a staff.

167-171. The joints made of wood at the ear (are stated) by name: Aditya (sun), Dharma-rāja (god of death), Jaleśa (god of water) and Niśādhipa (moon); these four are said to be (employed) at the main quarters and intermediate quarters, namely, the south-east, the south-west, the north-west, and the north-east; the test architect should make all the wood-joints as directed above.

172-174. At the gṛha-kṣata, the puṣpa-danta, the bhallāṭa, and the mahendra, quarters should be constructed the door of the house, but no joints (sandhi) should be made therein.

175-178. To the daṇḍika [daṇḍaka] (type of pillars) placed at the length and width of a house, as well as between two ears in the middle, and in the middle of the structure the tooth-nail should be fixed, and these joints should not be attached; in other types also joints should not be made at the middle part.

179-180. The right and left of th,e face of wood at the perpendicular part of the frieze (prati-vaṃśa) should be ascertained, and the points should be fixed at the root of the right and at the top of the left.

181. If these points be attached to the middle all prosperity will transform into misfortune.

182. It is certain that all joints at the top and bottom of the timber are more suitable.

183. If there be a hole at the tooth in the bottom, religious merits, fulfilment of desires, and prosperity would be destroyed.

184. If there be wood joints on all sides, a separate joint would not be fitting.

185. If there be one wood at the end of the house there should not be any separate joint.

186. (Pieces of) wood and nails also should be fitted around a building.

187-191. The yuddha (fight) and the non-yuddha, (type of) joints are considered in regard to the pieces of wood with which the outside is covered on all sides; the yuddha joints are prescribed for the wood at the end; pikes should be attached to the joints of the wood on the four sides; if there be a yuddha joint on the east and west the death of the master is certain; if the non-yuddha joint be on the south and north the same misfortune would happen.

192-195. A new piece of wood should be joined with another new piece; an old piece should be joined with another old piece; a new wood should not be joined with the old, nor the old with the new; if this be not done, it would cause famine in the country.

196-198. At the middle, top, as also, from the middle part of (a piece of) wood: from theṣe places should project the teeth; the projection should be one-fourth of the tooth, and (thus) should be fixed the nails, etc.; and the nails, etc. should be fixed to the main material (i.e. wood) in conformity with strength and one’s liking.

199. The joint should be made as aforesaid: this is directed by the ancients.

200-202. The meṣa-yuddha joints are made of all kinds of (well) polished stone and free of points; or it should be from half to one-fourth (of the wooden joints) in accordance with the (required) strength: this should be the sarvatobhadra joint, this should be discreetly made like the porch (bhadra).

203-204. The (joint of the) nandyāvarta-shape should be fixed at all kinds of stone buildings in the forepart, at the right side, the top, and the end.

205-206. The death of the master would occur if the nail of joints be fixed to the middle of the pillar in the centre of the house,

207-208. If the root of the nail be beyond the (prolongated) part of a pillar it would cause the loss of wealth and the misery of the people.

209-212. The wood lying above with pointed head, or in the forepart of the fillet should discreetly be employed everywhere with or without points.

213-216. (In other places) also those (joints) should be discreetly fixed, because it would be injurious if they be otherwise than fitting, that is, if they be not free from holes and points, and if they be without order, and otherwise than without their (prescribed) features.

217-221. As the loss of wealth and destruction of the master are involved, all the joints, etc., should be made as directed: (thus) they should be employed by architects at the root part of a piece of wood, at its ends, face, and sides; if employed in this way they would be the source of all prosperity.

Thus in the Mānasāra, the science of architecture, the seventeenth chapter, entitled: “The description of joinery-work.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The general shapes of these joints are indicated by their names: the first one would look like (two) wrestlers wrestling against each other; the second one would have four heads like tie four-headed deity; the third indicates the bamboo joints; the fourth is like the areca or betel-nut joints; the fifth is called divine and made of seven pieces of timber, while the sixth is called sagely and formed of eight pieces; the seventh is arrow-shaped, and the eighth would have many joints.

[2]:

The uttara implies the whole arcitrave or the beam of the entablature, āliṅga, means the ninth moulding from the top of the entablature (Kāmikāgama, LIV, 3), and udaya. indicates growth, plinth or bottom (sea the writer’s Dictionary, pages 79, 71).

[3]:

The other reading ardha-prāṇa (half life or bisected heart) does not give a more suitable meaning.

[4]:

It indicates different figures, [] etc.. (see the writer’s Dictionary, pages 733, 734, 736, 736).