The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t5.16

c8.t5.16

**5.7-7.3.** In the usual five-layer construction, the height of the altar is 32 *aṅg.*, height of each layer being 3⅖ *aṅg.* (*Bśl.* 5.7 and 7.2). According to Karavindasvāmī, it is 6 *aṅg.* Actually two layers are constructed. Construction of other layers is not required, since the 3rd and the 5th layer are the replica of the 1st and the 4th that of the 2nd. In the placement of bricks in different layers clefts between two layers are avoided. An altar of daily fire like the *gārhapatya* has 21 bricks in each layer, while a *kāmya* fire-altar is constructed with 1000 bricks, each layer containing 200 bricks. A fire-altar of 7½ sq. *puruṣas* is the normal construction. *Pañcacoḍā* and *nākasat* bricks have half the thickness of ordinary bricks ; hence one *pañcacoḍā* and one *nāksat* taken together are considered as one brick (*Bśl.* 5.17 and 7.2). They are usually on the fifth layer placed at the top. The spoiled or broken bricks or bricks of black colour are not used in the construction (*Bśl.* 7.1).