[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) › c8.16 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.16 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.16 - **Language:** English ### [c8.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.16) Geometrical operations of more complex nature are required for the accurate construction of the \*Kāmya Agni\* (or "the fire altars for the sacrifices to achieve special objects"). Amongst them the most ancient and primitive form is the \*Śyena-cit\* (or "the altar of the form of the falcon"). The \*ātman\* (or "body," "trunk") of this \*citi\* (or "altar") consists of four squares of one square puruṣa each. Each of its wings is a rectangle of one puruṣa by one puruṣa and one \*aratni\* (= ⅕ of a puruṣa). Its tail is a rectangle of one puruṣa by one puruṣa and a \*prādeśa\* (= 1/10 of a puruṣa). This altar is more usually called \*Saptavidha-sāratni-prādeśa-caturasra-śyena-cit\* because its area is 7½ square puruṣas, its shape resembles that of a falcon (\*śyena\*) and because the bricks used in its construction are square. - [Previous: c8.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.15) - [Next: c8.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.17) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.16) · Pramāṇa