Geometry is used throughout the Rig Veda. However, unlike modern geometry, the emphasis was not on proofs but on usage. Furthermore, the rishis had knowledge of the concept of precision, and this is evident from various descriptions of applications and use of geometry. Further, the depth of precision was based on the requirements of the task or study being described. For example, descriptions of constructions were limited in precision whereas descriptions of astronomical phenomena were described in greater precision.
The following verse in the Rig Veda deals with the formation of the universe.
Who was the measurer prama? What was the model pratimâ? What were the building materials for things offered nidânam ãjyam? What is the circumference (of this universe) paridhih? What are the meters or harmonies behind the Universe chandah? What is the triangle (yoke) praugam [which connects this universe to the source of driving force, the engine]?
All these Sanskrit words (ie: prama) are geometrical terms which also occur later in the Sulbasutra (where they are also defined).
Chariots are described in great detail in many different verses in the Rig Veda and Yajur Veda. Dr. Kulkarni writes:
The Rig Veda is full of references to words in rituals whose definitions we find in subsequent Brahmanas and in the Sulba Sutra to be pointing to geometrical figures. For example, three types of fire altars, garhapatya, ahavaniya and dakshina are mentioned in the Rig Veda but defined in the Shatapatha Brâhmana as being square, circular and semi circular, respectively, and also having the same area. Considering that ritualistic fire altar designs were not changed over a period of time and that the shastras were recited for several millennia before being written down, the rishis must have had a method to calculate the square root of the number two and the value of pi, without which they would not be able to determine whether the three altars had the same area or not.
The following verse in the Rig Veda deals with the formation of the universe.
Who was the measurer prama? What was the model pratimâ? What were the building materials for things offered nidânam ãjyam? What is the circumference (of this universe) paridhih? What are the meters or harmonies behind the Universe chandah? What is the triangle (yoke) praugam [which connects this universe to the source of driving force, the engine]?
All these Sanskrit words (ie: prama) are geometrical terms which also occur later in the Sulbasutra (where they are also defined).
Chariots are described in great detail in many different verses in the Rig Veda and Yajur Veda. Dr. Kulkarni writes:
The Rig Veda is full of references to words in rituals whose definitions we find in subsequent Brahmanas and in the Sulba Sutra to be pointing to geometrical figures. For example, three types of fire altars, garhapatya, ahavaniya and dakshina are mentioned in the Rig Veda but defined in the Shatapatha Brâhmana as being square, circular and semi circular, respectively, and also having the same area. Considering that ritualistic fire altar designs were not changed over a period of time and that the shastras were recited for several millennia before being written down, the rishis must have had a method to calculate the square root of the number two and the value of pi, without which they would not be able to determine whether the three altars had the same area or not.