The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t3.25

c8.t3.25

In the middle region of the *mahāvedi*, east of the *sadas* and in line with the *āgnīdhra* and the *mārjālīya*, the *havirdhāna* shed, *H*, is erected. This is the shed for the Soma-cart used for carrying soma plants to the sacrificial ground. Regarding the derivation of the name, the *Brāhmaṇa* says: 'And because Soma is therein—Soma being *havis* (material for offering) for the gods—therefore it is called *Havirdhāna* (receptacle of *havis*)'.{d} The cart-shed is provided with doors on the eastern and the western side and possibly on the southern and northern sides. Regarding the construction of the cart-shed, Eggeling, following Sāyaṇa and Kātyāyana, explains that, in front of the carts and behind them, beams are driven into the ground, six on each side.{e} The two middle ones, one cubit north and south of the *prācī* line respectively, forming a gateway on each side. On these two rows of beams other beams are laid, running from south to north, and forming, as it were, the lintels of the gates; the tie beams running west-east rest on them. This frame of timber is to form a square of nine (or ten) cubits. Mats of seed-grass are spread over the tie beams.