[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) › c20.s3.24 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.24 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.24 - **Language:** English ### [c20.s3.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.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).” - [Previous: c20.s3.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.23) - [Next: c20.s3.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.25) - [Up: c20.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3) ## Cites (1) - [Āpastambaśulbasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.sulba.apastamba.19.2) — Āpastamba, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.24) · Pramāṇa