The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c14.65

c14.65

Mention of that tradition about the *Paitṛkī-vedi* is made also by Baudhāyana.³ In fact, the construction of a square with its corners pointed towards the cardinal directions is mentioned as early as the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*.¹ But how to do it has not been indicated there. This is to be accounted by the fact that the method, which is undoubtedly the same as that described by Kātyāyana, was too well known. In fact it seems to have been the usual practice in all such cases. Compare Baudhāyana's imperfect method for the transformation of a square into a rectangle where also it is necessary in the beginning to construct a square whose corners are turned towards the cardinal directions. The common methods for the transformation of a square into a triangle and a double triangle or rhombus may also be referred to.