[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932) › c17.62 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c17.62 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c17.62 - **Language:** English ### [c17.62](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.62) Here two methods are to be discerned. According to one, it is required to construct a \*vedi\* 14 times as much while according to the other 14 3/7 times as much.³ The operations implied are doubtless as follows :⁴ The altarbuilder should at first construct a square of sides 36 prakramas each. Fourteen such squares should be combined into a large square. A side of the resulting square, which is clearly equal to 36√14 prakramas, is taken for the east-west line. Or otherwise a smaller square should be divided into the 7 equal rectangular portions by drawing lines parallel to a side of the square; the rectangle comprising three of these strips should be transformed into a square and then combined with the former larger square. A side of the resulting square, which will be easily recognised to be equal to 36√(14 3/7) prakramas, is taken for the east-west line of the enlarged \*vedi\* to be constructed. By the same kind of operations, the face of the new \*vedi\* is obtained to be 24√(14 3/7) prakramas and its base 30√(14 3/7). So that the size of the new \*vedi\* will be 14 3/7 times that of the \*Mahāvedi\* and its shape similar to that of the latter. - [Previous: c17.61](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.61) - [Next: c17.63](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.63) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.62](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.62) · Pramāṇa