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Shulbasutras (शुल्बसूत्राणि) (view source)
Revision as of 18:30, 26 March 2020
, 18:30, 26 March 2020adding content and references
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Shulbasutras (Samskrit: शुल्बसूत्राणि) are manuals for the construction of yajnas. They are sections of the Kalpasutras, associated in particular with the Shrautasutras. Each Shrautasutra seemed to have their own Shulbasutra section based on literary data; however, in the present days, only seven of these sutra works, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana, Manava, Maitayana, Varaha and Vadhula are available.
Shulbasutras (Samskrit: शुल्बसूत्राणि) are manuals for the construction of yajnas. They are sections of the Kalpasutras, associated in particular with the Shrautasutras. Each Shrautasutra seemed to have their own Shulbasutra section based on literary data; however, in the present days, only seven of these sutra works, Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana, Manava, Maitayana, Varaha and Vadhula are available.
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
== Authors and Commentators ==
== Authors and Commentators ==
Unlike the other Sutra charanas, there are a very few Shulbasutra texts available at present and all of them belong to Yajurveda. The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava are the main sources of the knowledge of geometry. The Kalpa texts of Vedangas clearly outline that astronomy on one hand and geometry on the other were cultivated under different circumstances by different rtviks based on the duties apportioned to them in the conduct of yajnas.<ref name=":2">Bag, A. K., (1979) ''Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India.'' Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia. (Pages 103 - 174)</ref>
Unlike the other Sutra charanas, there are a very few Shulbasutra texts available at present and all of them belong to Yajurveda. The Shulbasutras of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Katyayana and Manava are the main sources of the knowledge of geometry. The Kalpa texts of Vedangas clearly outline that astronomy on one hand and geometry on the other were cultivated under different circumstances by different rtviks based on the duties apportioned to them in the conduct of yajnas.<ref name=":2">Bag, A. K., (1979) ''Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India.'' Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia. (Pages 103 - 174)</ref><ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Vedas
!Vedas
|Purvabhaga (7 Kandikas with 90 Sutras)
|Purvabhaga (7 Kandikas with 90 Sutras)
Uttarabhaga (40 or 48 shlokas)
Uttarabhaga (40 or 48 shlokas)
|Rama
|Rama or Ramachandra (Shulba-sutra-vrtti)
|-
|-
! rowspan="7" |Krishna Yajurveda
! rowspan="7" |Krishna Yajurveda
|'''Baudhayana'''
|'''Baudhayana'''
|3 Adhyayas
|3 Adhyayas
|
|Dvarakanatha Yajva (Sulba-dipika), Venkatesvara Dikshita (Shulba-mimamsa)
|-
|-
|'''Apastamba'''
|'''Apastamba'''
|6 Patalas (21 Adhyayas and 223 Sutras)
|6 Patalas (21 Adhyayas and 223 Sutras)
|
|Kapardisvami (Shulba-vyakhya), Karavindasvami (Shulba-pradipika), Sundararaja (Shulba-pradipa or Sundararajiya),
|-
|-
|Varaha
|Varaha
|Manava by Manu
|Manava by Manu
|7 Khandas
|7 Khandas
|
|Narada
|-
|-
|Maitrayana
|Maitrayana
|4 Khandas
|4 Khandas
|
|Shankarabhatta
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" |Samaveda
! rowspan="3" |Samaveda
# measure - the instrument of measuring
# measure - the instrument of measuring
# geometry - the art of measuring
# geometry - the art of measuring
In the Shulbas the measuring tape is called "Rajju", so is "a line". One who is well-versed in the science of Shulba (geometry) is called Shulbavijnana, a Shulbavid (expert in geometry), a Sulbapariprcchaka (an inquirer into the Shulba), a Samkhyaajna (expert in numbers), Parimaanajna (expert in measuring). A special term sama-sutra-niranchaka (meaning uniform rope stretcher) is also used, this rope plays a very significant role and we find many references of similar words rajjuka, rakku-grahaka, sutra-grahaka - all used to denote a maharaja's land surveyor. A sutra-grahaka is further described as an expert in alignment, a rekajna, one who knows "the line".
It is extremely interesting to note that land surveying is an ancient procedure followed by our ancestors.
== Relationship between Shulba and Yajnas ==
Yajnas are of two main classes: Nitya (obligatory) and Kamya (optional or performed with a special intent). NItya yajnas are indispensible and not performing them will incur papam (sin) to the yajamana. The Kamya yajnas are, however, optional and those who do not have any specific aims to achieve any such object need not perform them. Every yajna must be made in an altar of prescribed shape and size.
These sutras give a compilation of principles in geometry that were used in designing the altars (called vedi or citi) where the Vedic sacrifices (yaj˜na) were to be performed. The platforms of the altars were built with burnt bricks and mud mortar. It is stated that even a slight irregularity and variation in the form and size of the chiti (Citi) will nullify the object of the whole ritual and may even lead to an adverse effect. So ancient adhvaryus took utmost care in building a chiti of right shape and size.<ref name=":0" />
The Vedic altars had rich symbolic significance and their designs were often intricate. For instance, the Syenacit has the shape of a falcon in flight (a symbolic representation of the aspiration of soaring upward); the Kurmachit is shaped as a tortoise, with extended head and legs, the rathacakracit as a chariot wheel with spokes, and so on.<ref>A. K. Dutta and M. S. Sriram. ''[https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bb84/9b5ff23bc22e2056f0aab069c92c05f7af0c.pdf Mathematics and Astronomy in India before 300 BCE.]'' </ref>
== References ==
== References ==