CLASSIFICATION OF SILPINS

The person engaged in the art and craft of vastu is - called silpin. A four tier
classification of silpins - sthapati, sutragrahi vardhaki and taksaka - is prescribed in
Vastuyidya. They have their specific roles and responsibilities in the building process.
Sthapati is the Master Builder, fit to direct the construction (sthapana) from its
inception to finish. He should be perfect in body and mind, righteous, kind, and free from
malice. He should be well versed in all traditional sciences and arts. The stringent
standards of physical, moral and intellectual qualities prescribed for sthapati speak of
his key role in vastusthdpana. These qualities elevate his profession from the mundane
level of an occupation to the higher level of dharma.
Sutragrahi, the supervisor of works, is the son or disciple of the sthapati. As one who
has to carry out the orders of the master, he should be knowledgeable in all types of
works. His role is to ensure that the building and its parts are aligned correctly. He must
be able to instruct and direct other craftsmen in their assigned jobs.
Vardhaki and taksaka are the craftsmen who shape the elements and assemble them in
the building. Taksaka is so called because he reduces (taks) 'large pieces into fine
parts." Vardhaki increases (vrdk) by joining together what the taksaka has shaped. This
was the sacred act of creation and hence was sanctified by attributing divine
origin to their crafts from Viswakarrna, the creative aspect of Brahma himself. The five
sons of Viswakarma - Manu, Maya, Silpa, Twastra and Viswajna - are traditionally
considered as the first master craftsmen in iron smithy, wood work, stone work, metal
craft and gold smithy respectively. Of these the wood and stone craftsmen were
directly involved in vastusthapana both as taksaka and vardhaki.

The four tier classification of silpin appeared to have been evolved from the vedic age
(circa 1500 B.C) when Aryans migrated into the heartland of India and developed timber
construction. Timber construction is basically an assembly process. Elements are
accurately shaped from a log (the act of taksaka), joined together into stable
configuration (the act of vardhaki), aligned for straightness, plumb, and rotation (the act
of sutragrahi) and erected with due regard to orientation, stability and strength (the act
of stapathi). This division evolved in the early era o f timber construction however
retained its nature in the later period of stone construction as well.

Submitted By,

Ajay K Jacob,

Roll No: 3,

S9 B.Arch.