[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981) › c3.42 # Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c3.42 Jyotiḥśāstra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c3.42 - **Language:** English ### [c3.42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3.42) The first section of the Kātyāyana, which consists of ninety \*sūtras\*, is divided into six \*kaṇḍikās\*. It teaches, in language often identical with or similar to the Āpastamba’s, the geometrical propositions (including the first detailed instructions for determining the cardinal directions from the shadows cast by a gnomon), the measures employed in constructing the altars, and their spatial relationships. The second section, which consists of more than 40 verses, repeats some of the material given in the \*sūtra\* section, and adds to it descriptions of the rope, the gnomon, and the expert builder of altars. There are commentaries on the Kātyāyana by Karka,²⁷ who wrote before 1260/1270 (Karkabhāṣya); by Rāma Vājapeyin, who composed three of them²⁸ (the \*Śulbavārttika\*, a metrical gloss on the Kātyāyana and on the Karkabhāṣya, in 1434; the Śulbavārttikaṭīkā, a commentary on the preceding; and the Śulbasūtravṛtti, a prose commentary based on the Śulbavārttika) at Naimiṣa in Uttarapradeśa; and by Mahīdhara²⁹ at Vārāṇasī in 1590 (Śulbasūtravivaraṇa). - [Previous: c3.41](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3.41) - [Next: c3.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3.43) - [Up: c3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3) ## Linked texts (2) - [Āpastambaśulbasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.sulba.apastamba) — Āpastamba, Sanskrit - [Kātyāyanaśulbasūtra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vedanga.kalpa.sulba.katyayana) — Kātyāyana (Vājasaneyi sūtrakāra), Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3.42](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c3.42) · Pramāṇa