[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) › c8.50 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.50 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.50 - **Language:** English ### [c8.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.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. - [Previous: c8.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.49) - [Next: c8.51](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.51) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8) ## Linked texts (4) - [Āpastambaśrautasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.srauta.apastamba.17.24) — Āpastamba, Sanskrit - [Taittirīyasaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.krsnayajur*taittiriya.5.2.5.5) — Sanskrit - [Maitrāyaṇīsaṃhitā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.samhita.krsnayajur*maitrayani.3.4.8) — Sanskrit - [Śatapathabrāhmaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.veda.brahmana.satapatha.10.1.4.13) — Yājñavalkya & Śāṇḍilya (Vedic teacher), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.50) · Pramāṇa