The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.50

c8.50

¹ According to the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*, an Agnicit should live upon what are obtained freely from Nature, such as fruits, etc., but not by sowing (v. 2. 5. 5-6). He is particularly forbidden to eat the flesh of birds. "The fire is a bird; if the piler of the fire were to eat of a bird, he would be eating the fire, he would go to ruin" (*TS*, v. 7. 6. 1). The same prohibition is found also in the *Maitrāyaṇīya Saṃhitā* (iii. 4. 8) and *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*. In the latter work we find also a contrary opinion. "Here, now, they say, 'He who has built an altar must not eat of any bird, for he who builds a fire-altar becomes of a bird's form; he would be apt to incur sickness: the Agnicit therefore must not eat of any bird.' Nevertheless, one who knows this may safely eat thereof; for he who builds an altar becomes of Agni's form, and, indeed, all food here belongs to Agni: whosoever knows this will know that all food belongs to him." (*ŚBr*, x. 1. 4. 13. Compare also *TS*, v. 6. 8. 3 f.; 7. 6. 2 ff.; *ĀpŚr*, xvii. 24.