[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) › c8.83 # The Science of the Shulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.83 The Science of the Śulba: A Study in Early Hindu Geometry c8.83 - **Language:** English ### [c8.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.83) It has been stated before that the standard form of an optional Fire-altar is that of a certain bird. This bird is called \*Śyena\* ("falcon") in the \*Taittirīya Saṁhitā\*¹ and \*Suparṇa Garutman\* ("well-winged eagle") in the \*Vājasaneya Saṁhitā\*² and \*Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa\*³ which is sometimes abridged into \*Suparṇa\* in the latter.⁴ The first name is found more commonly in other \*Saṁhitā\* and \*Śrauta-sūtra\* whereas the other names are rarely met with elsewhere.⁵ A clear reference to this form is found in the \*Ṛgveda\* where Agni is frequently called a bird.⁶ The spatial magnitudes of the falcon-shaped Fire-altar have been defined in almost all the earlier works from the \*Taittirīya Saṁhitā\* onwards, and they are exactly the same as those that are found in the \*Śulba\*. Though it is stated by the authorities that it should be measured preferably with a bamboo-rod the details of the method of measurement are scanty in earlier ones. The \*Taittirīya Saṃhitā\* says : - [Previous: c8.82](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.82) - [Next: c8.84](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.84) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.datta-1932.c8.83) · Pramāṇa