[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) › c17.79 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c17.79 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c17.79 - **Language:** English ### [c17.79](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.79) We have so far considered the construction of figures, particularly isosceles trapeziums, similar to a given one and differing from it in area by a specified amount. It is sometimes also necessary to construct a figure, similar to another and having a given side. For instance, the \*Ekādaśinī-vedi\* is stated to be similar to the \*Mahāvedi\* and is indeed an enlarged form of it.² It is so called because it must have, according to the injunction of the scriptures, eleven (\*ekādaśa\*) sacrificial posts (\*yūpa\*) in front. It is further prescribed that the two posts on either sides of the middle one must be at a distance of one akṣa (=104 aṅgulis) and four aṅgulis from it and the rest are an akṣa distant from each other. Each post has a diameter of one pada. Hence the east side of the \*Ekādaśinī-vedi\* is 10 akṣas 11 padas 8 aṅgulis long. Thus it is required to construct an isosceles triangle similar to the \*Mahāvedi\* and having its face equal to this length. Again, according to Baudhāyana, the shape of the \*Aśvamedha-vedi\* is similar to the \*Mahāvedi\* and has 21 yūpas on the east side, that is, has a face of 20 akṣas 21 padas 8 aṅgulis long. - [Previous: c17.78](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.78) - [Next: c17.80](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.80) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.79](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c17.79) · Pramāṇa