[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.s3.27 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.27 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c20.s3.27 - **Language:** English ### [c20.s3.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.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." - [Previous: c20.s3.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.26) - [Next: c20.s3.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.28) - [Up: c20.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c20.s3.27) · Pramāṇa