Introduction
Written during the construction of the Samangad Fort, the first section of Shri Samarth Ramdas Swami’s Karkahane Prakaran serves as a foundational manual on material science, standardization, and quality control. Long before modern Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM) frameworks were formalized, Samarth Ramdas Swami recognized that the longevity of any monumental fortress depends entirely on the precision and strength of its basic building blocks. Here, he establishes rigorous standards for brick dimensions, clay composition, temperature regulation, and handling to eliminate defects at the source.
१. ऐका विटांचा प्रसंग । लांबी रुंदी यथासांग । चौक नेमस्त व्यंग । असोंचि नये ॥ १ ॥
Aikaa vitaanchaa prasanga | Laambi rundi yathaasaanga | Chowk nemast vyanga | Asochi naye || 1 ||
Listen attentively to the specifics of brick-making. The length and width must strictly adhere to the designated standards. Every brick must be neatly rectangular and symmetrical, completely free from bends, twists, or structural flaws.
२. वीट लांबी नऊ तसू । आणि रुंदी सात तसू । उंची जाणिजे तीन तसू । पाठपोट नेमस्त ॥ २ ॥
Veet laambi naoo tasoo | Aani rundi saat tasoo | Oonchi jaanije teen tasoo | Paathpot nemast || 2 ||
Each brick must measure exactly 9 tasu in length, 7 tasu in width, and 3 tasu in thickness. The top face, bottom bed, and sides must be uniformly flat, even, and consistent throughout.
३. खालीं बरड वरी खळगा । ती वीट कामा न ये गा । धारेकोरेपाशीं दगा । काया न ये ॥ ३ ॥
Khaalee barad varee khalgaa | Tee veet kaamaa na ye gaa | Dhaarekorepaashee dagaa | Kaayaa na ye || 3 ||
A brick that is rough, bowed, or hollowed in the middle is unusable. If the sharp edges, arrises, and corners crumble, chip, or deform, the brick loses structural integrity and must be discarded.
४. भूमीपासूनी नीट करावी । कलबुताची कळाशी धरावी । आंतपावेतों नेमस्त भरावी । खिळे मारुनी ॥ ४ ॥
Bhoomipaasooni neet karaavee | Kalbutaachee kalaashee dharaavee | Aatapaaveto nemast bharaavee | Khile maaruni || 4 ||
Prepare and level the working ground thoroughly. Maintain high craftsmanship with wooden moulds (kalbut), ensuring they are reinforced and tightly nailed. Pack the clay firmly and evenly into every corner and down to the bottom.
५. खडे खापरी कामा नये । थोडें कमावणें कामा नये । थोडी लीद कामा न ये । आणि बहुत ॥ ५ ॥
Khade khaaparee kaamaa naye | Thode kamaavane kaamaa naye | Thodee leed kaamaa na ye | Aani bahut || 5 ||
The clay must be free of stones, gravel, and broken pottery shards. Under-kneading the clay is unacceptable. Organic binding materials (such as dung or fibrous matter) must not be added too sparingly or in excess; the mix must be balanced.
६. राख कोंडा बुळग्या दाणे । घालूं नये दैन्यवाणें । अथवा कांहीं अधिक उणें । करूंचि नये ॥ ६ ॥
Raakh kondaa bulagyaa daane | Ghaaloo naye dainyavaane | Athavaa kaahee adhik une | Karoo chi naye || 6 ||
Do not add ash, cereal husk (konda), or decayed grains carelessly or out of a mindset of scarcity. No additive should deviate from its optimal proportion—neither too much nor too little.
७. घट्ट चिखल कामा नये । पातळ तरी असूंचि नये । दडपितां कळाशी वाहूं नये । ना थर बुजे ॥ ७ ॥
Ghatt chikhal kaamaa naye | Paatal taree asoo chi naye | Dadapitaa kalaashee vaahoo naye | Naa thar buje || 7 ||
The mud must not be overly stiff and dry, nor should it be too watery and runny. When pressed and compacted, it must hold its crisp shape without spilling over or slumping under layered weight.
८. खणखणीत वाळवाव्या । झणझणीत भाजाव्या । भट्ट्या नेमस्त कराव्या । आणि दरी ॥ ८ ॥
Khankhaneet vaalvaavyaa | Jhanjhaneet bhaajaavyaa | Bhattyaa nemast karaavyaa | Aani daree || 8 ||
Sun-dry the raw bricks until they ring sharp and crisp (khankhaneet). Bake them thoroughly under strong, uniform heat (jhanjhaneet). Regulate the kilns with exact measure, and manage their firing trenches (dari) properly.
९. ओलें सरपण कामा नये । कावळकाठ्या कामा नये । मोठे ढोण कामा नये । नेमस्त असावे ॥ ९ ॥
Ole sarpan kaamaa naye | Kaavalakaathyaa kaamaa naye | Mothe dhon kaamaa naye | Nemast asaave || 9 ||
Wet firewood must never be used. Flimsy twigs are useless, and excessively thick, unmanageable logs are equally unsuitable. Use seasoned, properly cut fuel wood sized for consistent burning.
१०. जाळ घालावा नेमस्त । उमास करूं नये व्यस्त । ठाव असावा प्रशस्त । समान भूमि ॥ १० ॥
Jaal ghaalaavaa nemast | Umaas karoo naye vyast | Thaav asaavaa prashast | Samaan bhoomi || 10 ||
Regulate the kiln fire at a steady, controlled heat; avoid sudden flare-ups or turbulent temperature spikes. Ensure the kiln area is spacious, well-cleared, and set on flat, level ground.
११. पूजाविधि चुको नेदावी । भटी बरी निवूं द्यावी । वीट हळू उतरावी । टाकूं नये ॥ ११ ॥
Poojaavidhi chuko nedaavee | Bhatee baree nivoo dyaavee | Veet haloo ootaraavee | Taakoo naye || 11 ||
Do not neglect the traditional worship (puja-vidhi) before firing. Once fired, allow the kiln to cool down fully on its own. Unload every brick gently by hand; never toss, drop, or handle them roughly.
Key Takeaways:
Standardization & Zero Compromise: Systemic failures stem from minor, overlooked components. Enforcing exact parameters from raw materials to final shape prevents structural vulnerability downstream.
Calibrated Proportions: Extreme cost-cutting and uncontrolled excess are equally destructive. Optimal results depend on scientific, balanced input formulations.
End-to-End Care: Rushing curing phases or mishandling finished inventory invalidates prior engineering effort. Rigorous quality control must continue through final handling.
Summary
Enduring architecture begins at the microscopic and material level. Samarth Ramdas Swami emphasizes that structural integrity is impossible without disciplined dimensional uniformity, pure raw materials, balanced binders, controlled heat, and careful logistical handling.
Samarth Ramdas Swami aimed to instil a culture of uncompromising craftsmanship and self-reliance in society. His vision was to awaken future generations to the truth that nation-building, spiritual duty, and practical excellence are inseparable. By demanding perfection in a single brick, he taught that greatness is not an abstract ideal, but a tangible habit of rejecting shortcuts, respecting physical science, and sanctifying every manual task with absolute integrity.
Glossary:
Tasu: A Tasu is an ancient Indian unit of length roughly equal to one inch (about 2.5 cm), historically measured as the combined width of two fingers.
Here, Samarth Ramdas Swami is giving the standard engineering blueprint for a handmade building brick: 9 inches long, 7 inches wide, and 3 inches thick, with perfectly flat and parallel top and bottom surfaces (पाठपोट नेमस्त).
|| Jay Jay Raghuveer Samarth||
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