[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) › c8.79 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.79 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.79 - **Language:** English ### [c8.79](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.79) " He then takes up the wooden pin (\*śamyā\*) and wooden sword (\*sphya\*). Then from the pole which lies in the north-east (corner of the \*Mahā-vedi\*) strides three prakramas backwards and then marks out the pit (\*cātvāla\*). That is the measure of that pit; it has no other measure. Wherever he himself thinks it (proper) in his mind, in front of the \*utkara\* ('the heap of rubbish'), there he marks out the pit. He (draws first) the (western) extremity of the altar. He lays out the wooden pin northwards and marks out (a line)...Then on the front : he lays down the wooden pin northwards and marks out (a line)...Then on the southern extremity of the altar : he lays down the wooden pin eastwards and marks out (a line)...Then on the north : he lays down the wooden pin eastwards and marks out (a line)...."² - [Previous: c8.78](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.78) - [Next: c8.80](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.80) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.79](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.79) · Pramāṇa