The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t32.5

c8.t32.5

Two bamboo rods are taken, one measuring 120 *aṅg.* (one *puruṣa*) in length, the other 144 *aṅg.* In the second bamboo rod marks are given at a distance of 120 *aṅg.*, 132 *aṅg.* and 144 *aṅg.* from one end. Two middle marks are given in these two rods at a distance of 60 *aṅg.* from the same ends. Then a *pañcāṅgī* cord is formed in the following way (*vide* *Mśl* 13.15). A cord *AB* of length 2 *puruṣas* (240 *aṅg*) is taken and three marks are given, one at the middle of the cord *C* and one each at the middle of the two halves, i.e. at *D* and *E*. (Fig. 2). The cord is fixed by two poles at its eastern end *A* and the western end *B*; poles are likewise fixed at *C*, *D*, and *E*. The two bamboo rods are then stretched towards south from *D* and *E* respectively so as to meet at *F*, 120 *aṅg* from the end of each. The first bamboo rod is held over *CF* so as to obtain *G* at 120 *aṅg* from *C*. Now the second bamboo rod is stretched from pole *A* towards south and the first rod from *G* towards east so as to meet at *H*, 120 *aṅg* from the end of each rod. *H* is the south-eastern corner of the *ātmā*. Likewise, the north-eastern corner *I* and the two western corners *J* and *K* of the square body are fixed. The area of the body is thus 240² sq. *aṅg* or 4 sq. *pu*.