The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t16.5

c8.t16.5

*First layer.* For purposes of making the bricks, a rectangle ABCD is formed such that its length AB is 3p and breadth BC is ½p. From the mid-point E of AD, join EB, EC. EBC is an isosceles triangle (*prauga*) of area ¾p². 20 such *praugas* equal 15p² or 7½ sq. pu. and can be accommodated within the fire-altar. To attain the number 200, each such isosceles triangle is divided into 10 parts in the manner shown in Fig. 69(b). The sides EB, EC and BC are each divided into 4 equal parts by marking 3 equidistant points on each side. The points on the sides are joined with those on the base as shown, so as to obtain 4 isosceles triangles at the base and 6 double isosceles triangles above them. About the formation of such triangles, the commentator says : *evam vibhakte pṛthvanikasthāḥ praugākārāścatasra iṣṭakāḥ / tatastisra ubhayataḥ praugākṛtayaḥ / tato dve / tata ekā cubukāntā /*