The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava: With Text, English Translation and Commentary c8.t5.3

c8.t5.3

**5.1-5.6.** The *fire-altar* of the first construction has an area of 7½ sq. *puruṣas*. This has been discussed in subsequent chapters. The second construction has 8½sq. *puruṣas*, and according to Baudhāyana, it is increased by one square *puruṣa* successively from 7½ sq. *puruṣas* to 101½ sq. *puruṣas*. There is a mention of this type of increment upto 101½ sq. *puruṣas* in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*a. When the *fire-altar* is increased from the original 7½ sq. *puruṣas* by p square *puruṣas*, Baudhāyana says, the increment in each *puruṣa* equals the side of a square of 1 + 2p/15 sq. *puruṣas*. Hence the enlarged unit equals √(1 + 2p/15) and the area of the enlarged fire-altar 7½(1 + 2p/15) that is, 7½ + p. sq. *puruṣas* (*Bśl.* 5.6).