Paper presented at the International Conference of Sanskrit and Intellectual Heritage, at University of Kerala on 22 to
24 th February, 2010.

The Śulbasūtras are the ancient mathematical treatises primarily deal with geometry. They forms a
part of kalpasūtras; one of the six Vedangās. Proper understanding of these texts is essential to study
Vedas. The geometrical expositions of Śulbasūtras are original in nature and of physical and
metaphysical value. The Kerala Vedic tradition firmly follows these geometrical texts. The
adherence to these texts and the continuity of the The Śulbasūtra tradition is examined in the
background of the Agni’s of 1956 and 1976[agnichayana of Nellikktil Mamannu Mana in 1956 and
pānjal in 1976]. The measuring instruments and units used are explained. It will be shown that, the
Agni ritual of Kerala follows the Śulbasūtra tradition even though some local adaptations are
noticed.