The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c5.s2.3

c5.s2.3

In the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*,f it is so ordained that the *gārhapatya citi* is to be constructed with 21 bricks arranged in an identical manner. Similar passages are found in the *Maitrāyaṇī Saṃhitā*, *Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā* and the *Kapiṣṭhala Saṃhitā*.g In the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*, it is said,h "He who constructs (the *gārhapatya citi*) for the first time should construct in five layers . . . . . He who constructs for the second time should construct in three layers . . . . . ”. The *saumiki vedi* (also called *mahāvedi*), as described in the *Taittirīya Saṃhitā*, is in the form of an isosceles trapezium having its face 24 *prakramas* (or *padas*) long, base 30 *prakramas* and altitude 36 *prakramas*.a The measures are also given in other *saṃhitās*.b Although elaborate descriptions of rites and ceremonies in connection with the construction of the various altars such as the *dārśapaurṇamāsa vedi*, the *uttara vedi*, the *āgnīdhriya* the *hotrīya*, the *mārjālīya*, the *sadas* (tent), the *uparavas* etc. are found in the *Taittirīya* and other *saṃhitās*, their measurements and constructional details are rarely given.