Chapter 42 - The Masonry (Caya-vidhi)

[Note: This chapter corresponds to Chapter 41 of the original Samarāṅgaṇa-Sūtradhāra]

This chapter is also unique. Masonry (caya) has not formed a topic in any of the extant works. The Mānasāra treats only the Sandhi-karma (joinery of the timbers). Skill in masonry work represents the real ability of a mason. It should be so done in proportion and material that it becomes an art by itself. This is the essence of this chapter. As many as twenty qualities and twenty defects of masonry are enumerated in the text. A special point that is made out is that walls in the masonry should never go astray, nor should they fall down, nor again should they break down. The chapter has given five-fold varieties of ill-worked masonry which indicates the height of the development of the art of masonry. All these show that masonry should be neither too deep nor too shallow. At the close of the chapter are described the implements, rules and the procedure in the art of masonry very much similar to those prevalent today.