History of Hindu Mathematics: A Source Book v1.c8.s8.1

v1.c8.s8.1

**Terminology.** The Hindu terms for the "root" are *mûla* and *pada*. The usual meaning of the word *mûla* in Sanskrit literature is "root" of a plant or tree; but figuratively the foot or lowest part or bottom of anything. Its other meanings are "basis," "foundation," "cause," "origin," etc. The word *pada* means "the lower part of the leg" (figuratively the lower part or basis of anything), "foot," "part," "portion," "side," "place," "cause," "a square on a chess-board," etc. The meanings common to both terms are "foot," "the lowest part or basis of anything," "cause" or "origin." It is, therefore, quite clear that the Hindus meant by the term *varga-mûla* ("square-root") "the cause or origin of the square" or "the side of the square (figure)." This is corroborated by the following statement of Brahmagupta:²