The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t3.4

c8.t3.4

The place for worship and performance of the various sacrificial rites is selected where the ground is high, even and firm, inclining towards the east or the north and rising towards the south.a It should be spacious enough for the laying of the sacrificial hall, the *mahāvedi* and various pits, structures and elements required. After drawing the east-west line in the sacrificial ground, the sacrificial hall, the *prācīna-vaṃśa* or *prāgvaṃśa*, as called by Baudhāyana, Kātyāyana and others, is erected at the western end, lying along, and symmetrically about, the east-west line (Fig. 26). The name is derived from the use of horizontal beams (*vaṃśa*) supported by four corner posts, on which corner beams are fastened to serve as lintels of the eastern and western doors.b In this hall, besides the priests, the members of the family and friends of the person performing the sacrifice can assemble.