y a n t r a s : machines in ancient INDIA
Maharshi Bharadwaja is an august name in the pantheon of Hindu Sages who recorded Indian civilization, in the spiritual, intellectual, and scientific fields in the hoary past. The rishis transmitted knowledge from mouth to mouth and from ear to ear, for long eras. Written transmission through birch-backs or palm leaves or home made paper, are from this side of a thousand years. The word “yantra” is derived from the root yam, to control, and has been freely used in ancient India for any contrivance. Mechanical skills had produced in ancient India many accessories for scientific activities, such as surgical instruments in medicine, the pakayantras or laboratory equipment in medicine, Rasayana, and the astronomical yantras described in Jyotisa works. These belong to a different category. In the Mahabharata we hear of the Matsya-yantra or the revolving wheel with a fish which Arjuna had to shoot in order to win Draupadi in the svayamvara.
More interesting references are made by Valmiki to yantras on the field of battle, the continuity of which tradition we see later in the Arthasastra of Kautilya. The fortifications include equipment in the form of yantras. In Ayodhya 100.53, in the Kaccita-sarga, while enquiring about measures of defense, Rama asks Bharata whether the fort is equipped with yantras. Lanka, as a city built by Maya, is naturally more full of the yantras. The city, personified as a lady, is called yantra-agara-stani, informing us of a special chamber filled with yantras. (Sundara 3. 18). The Arthasastra of Kautilya is one of the books of culture which throws a flood of light on the particular epochs in which they arose. This work of 300 B.C.E. being a treatise on statecraft, speaks of yantras in connection mainly with battles, but also with architecture to some extent. An early work, a theoretical treatise and a text of great reputation, the Arthasastra forms our most valuable document on the subject of yantras.
And, as early as the Bhagavad Gita, the machine became an apt simile for man being a tool in the hands of the Almighty that sits in man's heart and by His mystic power makes man not only move but also delude himself into the notion of his being a free or competent agent.
Maharshi Bharadwaja is an august name in the pantheon of Hindu Sages who recorded Indian civilization, in the spiritual, intellectual, and scientific fields in the hoary past. The rishis transmitted knowledge from mouth to mouth and from ear to ear, for long eras. Written transmission through birch-backs or palm leaves or home made paper, are from this side of a thousand years. The word “yantra” is derived from the root yam, to control, and has been freely used in ancient India for any contrivance. Mechanical skills had produced in ancient India many accessories for scientific activities, such as surgical instruments in medicine, the pakayantras or laboratory equipment in medicine, Rasayana, and the astronomical yantras described in Jyotisa works. These belong to a different category. In the Mahabharata we hear of the Matsya-yantra or the revolving wheel with a fish which Arjuna had to shoot in order to win Draupadi in the svayamvara.
More interesting references are made by Valmiki to yantras on the field of battle, the continuity of which tradition we see later in the Arthasastra of Kautilya. The fortifications include equipment in the form of yantras. In Ayodhya 100.53, in the Kaccita-sarga, while enquiring about measures of defense, Rama asks Bharata whether the fort is equipped with yantras. Lanka, as a city built by Maya, is naturally more full of the yantras. The city, personified as a lady, is called yantra-agara-stani, informing us of a special chamber filled with yantras. (Sundara 3. 18). The Arthasastra of Kautilya is one of the books of culture which throws a flood of light on the particular epochs in which they arose. This work of 300 B.C.E. being a treatise on statecraft, speaks of yantras in connection mainly with battles, but also with architecture to some extent. An early work, a theoretical treatise and a text of great reputation, the Arthasastra forms our most valuable document on the subject of yantras.
And, as early as the Bhagavad Gita, the machine became an apt simile for man being a tool in the hands of the Almighty that sits in man's heart and by His mystic power makes man not only move but also delude himself into the notion of his being a free or competent agent.
“To deny to
Babylon, to Egypt and to India, their part in the development of
science and scientific thinking is to defy the testimony of the
ancients, supported by the discovery of the modern authorities.
- L. C.
Karpinski
“Thus we see
that India’s marvels were not always false.”
- Lynn Thorndike.
***
The following machines are to be made of a metal called Veera.
An alloy formed by melting and fusing the three metals Kshwinka,
Arjunika and Kanta (magnet), in three, five and nine parts
respectively, is called Veeraloha or a metal namely Veera. When
it undergoes shastraic processes, it cannot be destroyed by
fire, air, water, electricity, cannon, gun-powder or the like.
It will then be very strong, light, and of golden color. The
metal is specially meant for Machines.
Panchamukha Yantra
A machine of this name contains doors in east, south, west,
north and top. Weighs 170 Ratals. Carries one thousand Ratals.
By the help of electricity it can travel five Kroshas per hour.
It is used as conveyance for men and in wars. Since the machine
is conducted by the power of a spirit called Gaja it is named as
Gajaakarshana Panchamukha Ratha.
Mrugaakasrshana Yantra
These are the machines drawn by such animals as oxen, asses,
horses, camels, elephants and so on.
Chaturmukha Ratha Yantra
This machine has faces or openings on four sides. Weighs 120
Ratals. It can be conducted with any oil, preferably that of
coconut shells, or with the help of electricity. Travels six
Kroshas per hour. Used for traveling, wars, and transporting
things.
Trimukha Ratha Yantra
This Machine weighs 116 Ratals. It has three doors,
downwards, upwards and on one side. It can carry a weight of 600
Ratals. It is conducted with the help of oil extracted from
knotted root of Simha-Krantha, and from that extracted out of
the stalks of a kind of grass. If such oils are not available,
electricity may be made use of. It is used for the purposes that
the above machine, viz. Cahkra-mukha-Ratha Yantra is used.
Dwimukha Yantra
It weights 80 Ratals. Doors to east and west. Conducted by a
wheel fitted with screws. Travels three Koshas per hour. Can
carry a weight of three hundred Ratals. Used for the above
purposes.
Ekamukha Ratha Yantra
This machine has only one door. Weighs 48 Ratals. Carries two
hundred Ratals of weight. Travels with the help of oil extracted
from the seeds of Kancha-Thoola or Sovlaalika or by electricity:
speed 1 Keosha per hour. Used for the above purposes.
Simhaasya Ratha Yantra
This machine presents a front of a lion’s appearance.
Possesses two doors. 75 Ratals in weight. Carries a weight of 50
Ratals. It can travel both on land and air. It has the quality
of expanding and contracting. Used for the above purposes.
Vyaaghraasya Ratha Yantra
This is modeled after a tiger. Possesses wings. Weighs 64
Ratals. Carries 200 Ratals of weight. It travels in air
expanding its wings with electric power, but contracting its
wings with steam power. It is used for the above purposes.
Dolamukha Yantra
This is modeled after a litter. Contains two doors. Weights
50 Ratals. Carries 148 Ratals. Travels three Kroshas per hour.
Conducted with the help of the electricity and an oil, viz
Shilyusha extracted from wine.
Kurmamukha Ratha Yantra
This is modeled after a tortoise. Contains small doors.
Weighs 32 Ratals. Used for only spying.
Ayah – Prasaarana Yantra
Out of those that are conducted by electricity this is one
which travels on iron line spread on earth. It may be
constructed to contain from 40 to 80 wheels. It resembles the
railway train somewhat, weighs 4000 Ratals. Carries twenty-five
thousand Ratals. Travels three Kroshas per hour with the power
of electricity. It is used in transporting men and goods from
place to place.
Panchamukee Yantra
This machine has five faces. Weighs 115 Ratals. Carries
twelve thousand Ratals. Carries twelve thousand Ratals. Has
another machine which enables the five doors to open or shut.
Conducted with electricity. Speed four Kroshas per hour. Used
for the above purposes.
Eka Chakra Yantra
This contains only one wheel. It is modeled after a trap.
Weights 105 Ratals. Carries 800 Ratals. It is given motion and
kept in motion by its wheels being worked by bellows. Travels
three Kroshas per hour.
Trimukhi Yantram
This machine has three faces. Contains three
compartments which can be separated. Weights one thousand
Ratals. Travels on water. The three compartments are so arrayed
that it can travel with the second compartment if the first is
damaged, and if the second also gets damaged, the third
compartment can safeguard the contents, by separating them as
may be necessary. Should the topmost apartment be in a dangerous
predicament, it can rise into heavens and travel in the air.
Uses as above.
Jrumbhala Yantra
This machine has the door below. It is modeled after a shut
umbrella. The covering is made of thick water-proof cloth which
is manufactured out of the juice of the five trees or Pachavarga
Kasheeree Vruksha. Weighs 42 Ratals. Carries 300 Ratals. It can
expand into the shape of a tent by working a screw inside. So
also it can contract into the former shape by working another
screw. Appears like a flag. Used for secret wanderers like
spying. With electric power or with the help of its wheels
turned by bellows it can travel six Kroshas per hour.
Goodha Gamana Yantra
This machine can accommodate only three persons. Weighs half
a maund. Appears like an ordinary tower. Contains five keys. Can
travel on land as well as air. Its motion is almost invisble.
Can travel eight Kroshas per hour with the power of an oil
called Sinjurika. Used for secret travels.
Wyrajika Yantra
This machine is
made of glasses of abhraka or mica. There are sixteen doors.
Weights three Ratals. Carries five Ratals. Appears like a
sparking light and as such none can know that it is a machine.
Should anyone go near it, the sparkling light produced by
turning an inner key will kill him. Can travel on water as well
as on land. With the electric power of solar rays it can travel
twelve Kroshas per hour. Used for journeys, in wars and in
dispatching money.
Indranee Yantra
This machine is
constructed with paper, manufactured out of grass belonging to
Maunjavarga; the 3rd, 9th, 11th,
22nd, 30th and 42nd classes of
grass are known as Pishangamunja, Pingala Munja, Rajjumnunja and
son on. This machine cannot be destroyed by fire or water. It is
exceedingly light and strong. It can travel 15 Kroshas per hour
with the help of wind-worked wheels. Carries 100 Ratals.
Vishwaavasu Yantra
This machine
has two doors. Weighs 148 Ratals. Carries three thousand Ratals.
With the help of steam it travels two and a half Kroshas per
hour. It can go both forward and backward. It can be expanded or
contracted. Contains seven keys. Used for the above purposes.
Sourambhaka Yantra
This machine
has three storeys. There are secret seats for 400 people to sit
in each of the three storeys. The seats are not ordinarily
visible. The storeys can alone be perceived. Weights 230 Ratals.
Carries thirty-six thousand Ratals. It travels with the help of electricity or steam, or with the help of spirits of
seventh kind of wine. Can go 32 Kroshas per hour. Useful in
carrying men and things in warfare.
Sphotanee Yantram
This machine
has only one door, weighs 50 Ratals. Carries 200 Ratals. Sails
on water. Just like a bubble of water, sometimes it can rise
above water and at times it can dive underneath water. Moves
with the power of steam or of spirits of Kanajala Kshaara.
Travels four Kroshas per hour. Used by marine spies.
Kamatha Yantram
This is modeled
after a tortoise. Weights 500 Ratals. Carries eight thousand
Ratals. Contains two doors. Travels under the surface of water.
Used for the above purposes.
Parvathee Yantram
This is modeled
after a lotus. Contains four doors. Weighs 69 Ratals. Carries
800 Ratals. A pole is fixed in the middle to contain keys inside
to expand and contract the machine just like a lotus opens and
shuts. With the help of the power of steam or electricity it
cant travel 24 Kroshas per hour. Used in voyages to distant
islands.
Thaaraamuckha Yantram
This contains a
face of seven keys, sparkling like stars. Twelve doors. Weights
two thousand Ratals. Carries twenty-five thousand Ratals. Out of
the seven keys, if the first is pressed, a melodious music
accompanied with every kind of musical instrument will be heard
by those that are inside: if the second is pressed, dramatic
scenery and action will be visible: by pressing the third, a
stream of fresh water flows amidst the occupants, so that they
may make use of water as they please: by pressing the fourth,
plates with flowers, scents, plantains, camphor etc. will be
ready before the occupants so that they may worship God: by
pressing the fifth, plates of excellent food will be ready
before them; while they are taking their dinner, the plates turn
round through wires: by pressing the sixth: by pressing the
seventh beds will be ready for all. Should the keys be kept as
they were everything will vanish. With the help of steam or
electricity it can travel four Kroshas per hour. Used for the
above purposes.
Rohinee Yantram
This is modeled
after a hollow bamboo and is of bamboo color. Weighs three
thousand Ratals. Carries fifty thousand Ratals. Contains five
hundred compartments in which gun-powder, bullets, weapons etc.
can be preserved. Though fire breaks out nothing will be burnt
or damaged, because the fire is suppressed by the nature of the
metal with which it is composed. With the help of steam or
electricity, it can run six kroshas per hour. It is used chiefly
in wars.
Raakaasya Yantram
From the
machine a glorious light will flow out just like moon-light once
in three hours. This light illuminates a distance of sixty four
Kroshas by which everything that lies in its range will be made
clearly visible. Weights one ratal. In the machine there is a
wheel turning to right round and round just like the Sun. Can
travel on land, water and in air. Useful in finding out objects
from afar off. With the help of spirits of sixteenth kind of
wine it can travel four Kroshas per hour on land, eight kroshas
on water and twelve Kroshas in air.
Chandramukha Yantram
This machine
has a front like the moon’s disk: it is dark in the middle and
bright all round. Weighs 400 Ratals. Contains sixteen doors.
Carries sixteen thousand ratals. Contains five storeys and
sixty-eight cylinders. These cylinders are useful in filling the
five kinds of smokes, the seven powers, thirty-two kinds of
powders and forty-eight kinds of gas. When they are in those
cylinders no harm is done to them. This travels in paths dug out
inside the earth. Travels with the help of spirits of 13th
quality of wine. Speed sixteen kroshas per hour. Used in wars.
Anthaschakra Ratham
This is modeled
after the crooked rod of a litter. This rod, resembling the two
angularly bent rods of an oil mill, will be turning round and
round always. There are thirty two screwed wheels. This machine
must be fixed to the earth. It is used in transporting
elephants, camels, horses, men, conveyances and son, or binging
them near from a distance. This can be done by working at the
screws inside. This must be fixed in the fitth circle of the
warfield.
Panchanaala Yantram
This is fitted
by joining five cylinders. There are distillery machines in each
of these cylinders. These distilleries are used in manufacturing
not only oils, spirits, etc. but also smokes, powders and so on.
Weighs 230 Ratals. Travels three Kroshas per hour with the help
of spirits of 9th class of wine.
Thanthreemukha Yantram
The front of
this machine appears like a trap of wires. Inside the machine
there is a magnetic wheel in the center. Behind this, there are
exact representations of lions, tigers and other fierce animals
all made of wires. In front there is a magnifying glass of 103
rd class. By working at the keys, these iron lions, tigers and
so on can be made to roar and pounce upon people that come near
it. By doing so, none can go near it. Weights 80 Ratals. Carries
thousand Ratals. With the help of the powers of spirits of the
third class wine, it can travel four kroshas per hour. Useful in
wars.
Vegineee Yantram
This is modeled
after an umbrella. It can run very fast by turning the screws at
the junction of wheels. Can accommodate only three persons.
Travels 8 kroshas per hour.
Shaktyudgama Yantram
This is a
machine which spreads the electricity in sky. It has five
storeys. Contains big glass vessels (containers) in each of
them. In the first storey, the glass vessels will be filled with
tar mixed with coal. In the second, the glass vessels will be
filled with sea-foam or lather with the extract of tin. In the
vessels of the third storey, sulpjur with the oil of the seeds
of Visha mushti will be filled. Those of the 4th,
will be filled with the five essences of oils of the
Pranaksharas. The five balls along with mercury, are fitted in
those of the fifth. Wires from these five vessels are united as
per shastraic principles. The vessels of the first storey must
be filled with electricity and through this the vessels of other
storeys must be filled. Through this it can spread in the sky.
The machine weighs 32 Ratals. Used in constructing airplanes.
Mandalaavartha Yantram
This is modeled
after a spinning top. Contains six faces and sixty-four screws
inside. Weighs 68 Ratals. Carries eight thousand Ratals. Like a
top it turns round the armies and crowds of people, round and
round. It can turn round thrice, a distance of two kroshas in an
hour, with the help of electricity and spirit of eleventh of
class of wine. Useful in wars and in mutinies of people.
Ghoshanee Yantram
This is modeled
after an immense serpent. Contains three coverings and 24 faces.
It is filled with electricity. Contains also 148 cylindrical
apartments to stock poisonous gas. By working at the inner
screws, it can produce a noise equal to 32 thunderbolts. Emits
poisonous gas as it travels. The sound thus produced will be
heard for a distance of 14 ¼ miles. People near it die of the
mortal effects of the deafening noise and poisonous gas. Those
who are beyond eight kroshas of it will swoon. Weighs 116 Ratals.
Carries six thousand Ratals. Can travel six kroshas per hour,
with the help of electricity and spirits of 13th kind
of wine.
Ubhayamukha
Yantram
This machine
possesses the same symmetry on either side. Contains sixty-four
small holes or doors on either side. Contains a fresh water
stream inside. Above that stream, there flows another stream of
tar. In the middle there are oils belonging to seven varieties.
Contains 71 keys inside. By working at these keys, the poisonous
gases, powers or anything of the kind that is injurious to
lives, will be swept off in the range of twelve miles (roughly)
around the machine and purifies the atmosphere. Weighs 48 Ratals.
Carries 108 Ratals. Travels five Kroshas per hour with the help
of electricity or spirits of 27th class of wine. Use
for purifying atmosphere whenever and wherever necessary.
Thridala Yantram
This is modeled
after a three-leafed Bilwa patra…. Having three compartments.
The first is square, the second is triangular, and the third is
a hexagon in shape. Each of these compartments has two doors.
Each compartment is provided with Peshanee Yantras. A Peshanee
Yantra is one which grinds grain such as wheat into powder.
Always filled with flour. This machine is conducted by
electricity.
Thrikuta Yantram
This machine
has two towers, like the peaks of a mountain. Each of these
towers is one hundred (bahu) or yards in height. Each of the
towers contains 32 keys inside. There are cylinders at every
key. Above the towers there are flags and wheels. In front there
are instruments to measure the cold. Indicates the weather,
wind, sun-light, rain, thunderbolt, fall of stars and other
future phenomena.
Thripeetha
Yantram
This machine
contains three bases. In the first, there is a machine having
three heads like the elephant’s, but possessing two trunks in
each head. In the second there is a three-headed instrument,
each of the heads having two trunks of Vyali animal. In the
third there is an instrument which has three heads, each of
which has the appearance of a rhinoceros with tusks. They can be
fitted together or separated as required. The first of these
Yantras can stop a stream of water, suck up water of the stream
and thus change the direction of the stream. The second can tear
mountain asunder and thus create passage. The third can bore a
hole in earth, suck up water from down below, and jet the same
out through the tusks above its head. Weighs six thousand Ratals.
Carries 80 Ratals. Travels and works by the help of steam,
electricity and spirits of 23rd class of wine. This
machine is used in constructing roads in water and bridges, and
in piercing tunnels across mountains and rocks.
Vishwamukha Yantram
This is a very
spacious machine. In it there are twelve cylinders containing
magnifying glasses. These cylinders are very big and they are
fitted that they can be turned into any direction as may be
necessary. Weighs 1800 Ratals. Carries forty thousand Ratals.
There are two stories in it, which can be separated or joined
together with the help of keys. Travels twelve Yojanas with the
help of spirits of 32nd quality, steam or
electricity. The upper storey can be separated and can be soared
into heavens. By fixing the cylinders to it in the sky an area
of 24 Yojanas with forests, countries, seas, cities etc become
clearly visible, and a picture/photo of the same can be
obtained. Used in traveling and so on.
Ghantaakaara Yantram
This machine
appears as though seven almirahs are fixed together. Various
kinds of wires, the essence or dravaka of the 16th
kind of magnet, and many other dravakas are filled in it. There
are two bells of bell-metal or white brass in each of these
almirahs, and they are so fitted as to produce a terribly
alarming sound just like the alarm of a clock. By the waves
produced news of the world at large can be learned. Used in
gathering information and in pictures.
Vishthrithaasya Yantram
The machine
contains a widely open mouth. Weighs 76 Ratals. Carries 120
Ratals. In front of this machine there are five keys appearing
as turrets. In the first turret there is a vessel of Chandra
Kantha stone of the sixth class. As soon as the moon rises,
water oozes in this stone vessel and it is filled. The same
water is used by the men in the machine to drink. The other
turrets attract the powers of cloud, stars and so on. Travels
three Yojanas per hour with the help of spirits of the 14th
class or electricity. Used in traveling. Etc.
Kravyaada Yantram
This machine
contains three faces. Weighs a hundred Ratals. Carries ten
thousand Ratals. With the help of steam it can travel nine
Yojanas per hour. Used in traveling and in carrying goods.
Shankhamukha Yantram
A machine
containing a five faced boring instrument and resembling a conch
shell is called Shankha mukha Yantram. There are keys to expand
or contract the machine whenever or wherever necessary. Weighs a
thousand Ratals. Used in constructing wells, digging, deep pits
or boring holes in mines. It can dig 213 bahus or yards in an
hour.
Used also for
the purposes contained in the description.
Gomukha Yantram
This is modeled
after the face of a cow. Weighs 80 Ratals. Carries 700 Ratals.
There is a constant flow of water through this mouth. Travels
two Yojanas per hour with the help of spirits of the 20th
class. Used in supplying water.
Ambaraasya Yantram
This machine
appears like sky for those who look at it. Weighs 180 Ratals.
Carries 2400 Ratals. Used in transporting elephants, camels, and
so on. Travels 3 Yojanas per hour with the help of steam and
electricity.
Sumukha Yantram
This machine
presents a beautiful face of a crab. Weights 118 Ratals. Carries
1150 Ratals. Can travel with the help of spirits of the 14th
class, steam or electricity. Travels two Yojanas on land, four
Yojanas in air, and three Yojanas in water, per hour. Used in
traveling and transporting goods from place to place.
Thaaraamukha Yantram
The balls that
are made out of the metal found where stars fall, are called
Thaaraamanies. A machine which contains such balls is called
Thaaraamukha Yantram. There are three big cylindrical pillars in
it. There is another smaller machine inside this machine. The
smaller machine contains some draavakas or acids, electricity,
some glasses and so on. There are keys at the bottom of the
three pillars, above named. By working the first key a brilliant
light just like the rainbow will be produced. By working the
second key a brilliancy light just like sun-light covered by
clouds will be given out. By
working the third key smoke will be issued out like dew. When
this machine sails on sea, it can take the photos/pictures of
all machines and animals that travel or stay both on and under
the surface of the sea. Used in finding out objects that are
both on and under the surface of the sea.
Manigarbha Yantram
This machine is
round or circular in formation. Inside the machine there are
balls called Souraka, Paavaka, and so on which attract the heat
of solar rays. Weights 64 Ratals. Carries seventy thousand
Ratals. Contains twelve faces to allow solar rays in. Travels
three kroshas per hour with the help of the spirits of the third
class. Used in traveling and attracting the heat of the
sun-light.
Vahinee Yantram
This machine
contains 16 keys and twelve metallic cylinders. Is 32 feet in
height and 11 feet in circumference. Underneath there are 48
boring instruments. There are 96 wheels which throw off the mud
dug. There are 22 keys which dig up rocks. There are twelve
instruments sucking water up. This is a machine to be fixed in
earth firmly. The water thus sucked up flows like streams. This
machine can dig earth as far as 82 thousand feet deep. Used in
digging earth and sucking water up.
Chakranga Yantram
This machine is
modeled after a trap. There are wheels with stones throughout
this machine. By turning one wheel plenty of wind blows out. By
turning one wheel plenty of wind blows out. By turning another
water flows down. In this way there are wheels by turning which
fire, steam, poisonous gas, dew, power, colors and so on are
issued. By the turning of the wheels it travels two kroshas per
hour. Used in many ways.
Chaitraka Yantram
This machine is
modeled after a scorpion. There are 24 joints inside. There is a
key at every joint. Every key is numbered and colored
differently. Music, melodious instruments, conversation, photos
and many other wonders will be produced according to the
definite key that is pressed. Those who go near it to enjoy
these wonders will be not only photographed of their appearance
but also of their mind. Used in Bhedopaya or in conquering
enemies of deceit.
Chanchupata Yantram
This machine is
modeled after a bird with its mouth open. Contains four wings.
There are five keys to each of these wings. Wires are to be
connected to earth from its open mouth. As long as these wires
extend in earth, so long the earth will have acquired a peculiar
power by which people, if standing in this area will be
benumbed. By working the keys attached to the wings the people
who stand in the infected area will faint, or the earth will
crack and so on, according to the work allotted to be done by
the keys.
Pingaaksha Yantram
This is modeled
after a litter.
Throughout the body of this machine it is full of green eyes.
There is a button in every one of these eyes. This is to be
firmly fixed on the summit of a mountain. It is 60 ft. long and
14 ft. in circumference. This is to be fixed in a town or city
when it is surrounded by enemies. From this machine keys are
arranged and fixed through wires underneath the surface of the
earth to the extent of twenty-four miles, around the place.
Inside the machine buttons are arranged and numbered for all
these keys outside. By pressing the first button it will act
upon the particular key and the gates of the fort will be shut.
By pressing another the moats will get filled with water. In
this way, by pressing the other buttons wonderful phenomena such
as tremendous fumes of fire, floods of water, cyclones etc. will
be created according to the defined work of each key. This
machine is used in defending a city or country against strong
enemies when offensive and defensive actions are at an end.
Puruhootha Yantram
This is modeled after a mrindanga, or musical instrument. It
is 25 feet in height and as much in circumference. There is a
machine called Shabda-sphota Yantra inside the machine. When the
key is worked a tremendous noise bursts out equal to the
simultaneous roar of 63 fierce lions. Used as per the nature of
its work.
Ambareesga Yantram
This is modeled after an inverted earthen pot. 46 ft in
height and 23 ft. in circumference. Contains keys resembling the
feet of tortoise on all four sides. Travels in water 6 kroshas
per hour with the help of Chakra Bhastrika. Used in finding the
things on land under the surface of the seas and bringing them
up.
Bhadraashwa Yantram
This is modeled after a horse. It possesses a tail of 38 ft.
in length. Weighs 54 Ratals. It gallops like a horse with the
help of spirits of 32nd class. Possesses three
horses’ speed. At the top of there are three-faced keys. When
it is set to work by the key it goes on galloping just like a
horse in a circular way. Circles a distance of twelve Yojanas
per hour. While in gallops, brilliant sparks of light will come
out and destroy all dew or fog covering that area and clear the
atmosphere. Used in places and times of dew, where and when the
dew obstructs the view.
Virinchi Yantram
This is like a globe in appearance. Around it there are 32
wires of 80 ft long and 40 ft in circumference, both in front
and back of the machine. There
are three keys to these wires. By working the first key, it
becomes loaded with powder and bullets. By working the second it
gets ready to the aim. By working the third it fires. It rends
the mountains asunder to an extent of 24 feet per shot. Used in
constructing tunnels in mountains and rocks.
Kuladhar Yantram
This is modeled after a crow. Contains three beaks like those
of crows. Inside there is machinery of electricity and so on. At
the top there are keys resembling small snuff boxes in which
round buttons are inserted. When this machine is fixed on rocks
and set to work it expels with the help of its beaks, slabs of
stone as per desired dimensions. Cuts out 22 ft. stone in an
hour. It is used in cutting stones.
Balabhadra Yantram
This is modeled after an inverted metal boiler. 64 feet long
and 16 feet wide. On either side there are 16 ploughs 16 ft by 4
ft. wide, fixed. Each plough contains two wings. At the
beginning and end of them there are turning screws. Inside there
is electricity or steam boiler. There are 24 keys above the
machine. At the bottom of everyone of these keys are wheels. By
the side there are 32 screws. As soon as they are pressed the
machine goes on ploughing land. When the above 24 keys are set,
the machine begins to run. Goes 3 Yojanas per hour. Ploughs an
area of 3 Yojanas by 64 feet, per hour. The depth of the mud
turned up in the land is 3 feet. Used in tilling the land.
Shaalmali Yantram
This machine is square in shape and white in color as of the
flower of acaria Shireesha. At the top there are sixteen keys
each intended for a definite work. By turning the first key,
there appear a pair of hands the trunks of elephants and they
can hold a weight of hundred Ratals. By working the second key
that weight will be placed wherever necessary. The other keys
are intended to carry up weights from deep water, and to arrange
pieces of stone, timber or the like in or above water in
constructing bridges or so. It can also bring down weights from
a height of 200 feet.
Pushpak Yantram
This is crescent in formation. It is provided with many
cradles suspended to it. There are 14 of them on each of the
sideways and 8 in the middle, suspended. In those of the right
hand side there are machines resembling pigs, while in those of
the left wing there are sawing machines. In those of the middle
there are screwed wheels suspended to chains. There are two
wheels. This machine is to be in a place where timber is to be
cut and sawn. If the first key of the upper wheel is turned, the
above said pigs come down one by one. Bu working the second
screw the pigs fall at the trunk of trees, beat them and cut
them with tremendous noise and produce enormous quantity of
smoke and fire. This fire spreads to the extent of 16 miles
around, burns up all waste matter on land and clears the area.
By the action of the fire on trees, the oil and so on will be
extracted and stored up in bottles placed at the bottom of those
trees. The heat of the fumes on the fire renders all the trees
in that area soft like a plantain. The leaves of the trees fall
down. By working the third key some more pigs come down and roam
about that place exhaling tremendous breaths. Owing to this wind
blown the ashes of that area will be swept off
and the land cleared. In the same way, if the key on left
side be turned, the saws from the cradles come down one by one.
By turning the first screw of that wheel the saws will get
themselves ready at the place. of the trees where they are to be
sawn. By working the 3rd screw, the saws will go back
to their cradles and from them pairs of hands like the trunks of
elephants will come down. These pairs of hands will collect the
pieces of timber that are sawn down. This machine weighs 180
Ratals. Can travel in forest with the help of steam power. It is
a machine to be fixed to the earth. It can saw 3200 ratals of
weight of timber per hour. Used in hewing and sawing timber in
large quantities.
Ashtadla Yantram
This machine is modeled after a lotus containing 8 petals.
Under each of these petals there will be an enclosure. In each
of these enclosures. In each of these enclosures there will be
the 8 things viz. smoke, electricity, water-vapor, air, Rushakam,
Vishasaram, Manjusham and Katusaram which are described in
Meghotpati Prakaranam. There is the key in the center of the
lotus. In it there are eight screws for the 8 petals. By working
any screw the things that are in the connected petal will go
high above and form a cloud. By working the central key fumes
like solar rays will be given out. As soon as the heat of these
fumes acts upon those clouds formed before, they begin to rain.
This machine is specialized to get rain.
Souryayana Yantram
This is like a pillar 116 feet high and 58 feet in
circumference. At the top there is a sieve containing holes and
made of glass of the 96th class called Somapa. From
this sieve in this pillar there are twelve machines in order.
Above the sieve there is a covering of 97th class of
glass called Somasya Darpana. Above this covering there is a
glass wheel called Kumudinee containing spokes made of 98th
class of glass called Chandrika Darpana. In the twelve points of
this machine there are twelve upper screws and twelve lower
screws. Bu turning the first screw, the contents of the machine
such as electricity, cold fluid, Shaitya Drava, Sudha Mushee,
Soonruta, Pushkalee, Pranada, Dravinaamrutha, Sooraneee,
Jambaalee, Lulita, Vaachaklavee, Gacyoosha, rise up in the
definite proportions. Through the cylindrical tubes which are
fixed to the wheels of the sieve these powers pass and touch the
glass covering above. By turning the electric screw then, the
wheel turns 1192 rounds in a minute. Then a power called Someeya
of the lunar rays is attracted by this wheel and it gets down
through the sieve. Thus the power fills in the bottle below in
the form of gas. It must be kept air-tight. Its use is this.
When such limbs as head, hands, feet, of a person are cut off,
the limbs are fixed to the right place of the body and the body
kept in a box. The body must be wrapped in a covering of the
bark of a plant called Vaarshneeka Valkala. When to such a body
the above Somadrava gas is injuncted 5 Rajanikas, the body is
resuscitated. This must be done within five minutes after the
injury is done. Used in setting the cut limbs right, or
resuscitating the persons killed, in the above manner.
***
Book used for this chapter
Diamonds,
Mechanisms Weapons of War Yoga Sutras - By G. R. Josyer.
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