Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c7.s4.10

c7.s4.10

on either side. Below it three squares, below it (*again*) four squares are drawn and the process is repeated till the desired pyramid is attained. In the ( topmost ) first square the symbo' for one is to be marked. Then in each of the two squares of the second line figure one is to be marked. Then in the third line figure one is to be placed on each of the two extreme squares. In the middle square ( of the third line ) the sum of the figures in the two squares immediately above is to be placed ; this is the meaning of the term *pūrṇa*. In the fourth line one is to be placed in each of the two extreme squares. In each of the middle squares, the sum of the figures in the two squares immediately above, that is, three is placed. Subsequent squares are filled in this way. Thus the second line gives the expansion of combinations of ( short and long sounds forming ) in a one syllabic metre ; the third line the same for two syllables, the fourth line for three syllables *meruprastāra* and so on.” [ vide 1 Fig. 17 (a), 17 (b) and 17 (c). ]