The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c17.66

c17.66

''Now the construction of (the enlarged forms of) the *Agni*: Twenty-eight (square) puruṣas are in front and twenty-eight (square) puruṣas behind; this is the body (of the *Agni*). Fourteen (square) puruṣas form the southern wing; fourteen the northern wing and fourteen the tail. Fourteen *aratnis* (meaning, a length equal to the side of a square comprising fourteen square aratnis (i.*e*., √14 aratnis) is added to the southern wing; fourteen aratnis to the northern wing; and fourteen vitastis (meaning, a length equal to the side of a square of fourteen square vitastis, *i.e.*, √14 vitastis) to the tail. This is the measurement of (the *Agni* of) 98 square puruṣas with a little excess (due to the increment of the wings and the tail). Or again