The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.24

c20.s3.24

³ For example, one kind of bricks employed in the construction of the Fire-altar of the shape of falcon with bent wings and spreadout tail (*Vakrapakṣa-vyastapuccha-śyenacit*) was called *ṣoḍaśī*. Its dimensions are described thus: “षोडशीं चतुर्भिः परिगृह्णीयात् अष्टमेन, त्रिभिरष्टमैश्चतुर्थेन चतुर्थसविशेषेनेति”—*ĀpŚl*, xix. 2. “Construct the *ṣoḍaśī* with four (sides), namely with one-eighth, three-eighth, one-fourth (puruṣa) and the *saviśeṣa* of the one-fourth (puruṣa).” The manner of laying out these bricks has been described thus: “अवशिष्टं षोडशीभिः परिच्छादयेत् अन्या बाह्यविशेषा अन्तरशिरसः”—*ĀpŚl*, xx. 5. “Cover the remaining portion (of the Fire-altar) with *ṣoḍaśīs*, (such that) those lying at the extremity (of the Fire-altar) will have their *viśeṣa* outwards, but inwards at the head.” “अपरस्मिन् प्रस्तारे पुरस्ताच्छिरसि द्वे षोडश्यौ बाह्यविशेषे उपदद्ध्यात् ते अपरेण द्वे विषये आभ्यन्तरविशेषे”—*ĀpŚl*, xx. 6. “In the second layer, at the head towards the east lay two *ṣoḍaśīs* having their *viśeṣa* outwards and on the west lay them with their *viśeṣa* inwards and lying in both places (*viṣaya*, *i.e.*, partly in the head and partly in body of the Fire-altar).”