The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.27

c20.s3.27

"> *Saviśeṣa* is a technical name for the sum thus obtained.¹ As it is accompanied with a special quantity in excess (*viśeṣa*), so it is a term whose meaning is intelligible by itself. (Add) to twelve (aṅgulis) four (aṅgulis), to four one; divide that one into thirty-four parts and leave out a part. Thus (the resulting sum) will be seventeen aṅgulis less one *tila*. The square of the tilas in twelve aṅgulis is 166464 square tilas; the square of the tilas in seventeen aṅgulis minus one tila is 332929 square tilas. In this (latter) a square of one tila is in excess (of twice the other), so the *saviśeṣa* is the technical name (for it). If it is accompanied with some quantity in excess (*viśeṣa*), then what is the necessity for it? In its own domain, it has no fault. For if the diagonal be measured (directly) with a bamboo-stick, the excess will be to the extent of ten square tilas. Thus in any case there will be an excess even by a fraction of the smallest part of the minute *nīvāra* grain falling from the mouth of a parrot. So (the formula) is without fault. It will be of practical use, taking this into consideration, the learned author has made that (technical) term."