Buddhaghosa says (MA.ii.629; SA.iii.86) that Pañcakanga was the Thapati's personal name, and that he was so called ("Five tools") because he carried the five tools of a carpenter: vāsīpharasu (adze), nikhādana (chisel), danda (measuring stick), muggara (gavel), and kālasutta (blackened thread). He explains Thapati by vaddhakī jettha.