FReeper Canteen ~ Part IX of War in Ancient India ~ September 7, 2004

A Tribute to Hinduism ^ | September 7, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part IX: War in Ancient India

Aerial Warfare

No question can be more interesting in the present circumstances of the world than India’s contribution to the science of aeronautics. There are numerous illustration in our vast Puranic and epic literature to show how well and wonderfully the ancient Indians conquered the air. To glibly characterize everything found in this literature as imaginary and summarily dismiss it as unreal has been the practice of both Western and Eastern scholars until very recently. The very idea indeed was ridiculed and people went so far to assert that it was physically impossible for man to use flying machines. But today what with balloons, airplanes…..” 

Turning to Vedic literature, in one of the Brahmanas occurs the concept of a ship that sails heavenwards. The ship is the Agnihotra of which the Ahavaniya and Garhapatya fires represent the two sides bound heavenward, and the steersman is the Agnihotrin who offers milk to the three Agnis. Again in the still earlier Rg Veda Samhita we read that the Asvins conveyed the rescued Bhujya safely by means of winged ships. The latter may refer to the aerial navigation in the earliest times.  

In the recently published Samarangana Sutradhara of Bhoja, a whole chapter of about 230 stanzas is devoted to the principles of construction underlying the various flying machines and other engines used for military and other purposes. 

The various advantages of using machines, especially flying ones, are given elaborately. Special mention is made of their use at one’s will and pleasure, of their uninterrupted movements, of their strength and durability, in short of their capability to do in the air all that is done on earth. Three movements are usually ascribed to these machines, - ascending, cruising thousands of miles in different directions in the atmosphere and lastly descending. It is said that in an aerial car one can mount up to Suryamandala, ‘solar region’ and the Naksatra mandala (stellar region) and also travel throughout the regions of air above the sea and the earth. These cars are said to move so fast as to make a noise that could be heard faintly from the ground. The evidence in its favor is overwhelming. 

An aerial car is made of light, wood looking like a great bird with a durable and well-formed body having mercury inside and fire at the bottom. It had two resplendent wings, and is propelled by air. It flies in the atmospheric regions for a great distance and carries several persons along with it. The inside construction resembles heaven created by Brahma himself. Iron, copper, lead and other metals are also used for these machines. All these show how far art and science was developed in ancient India in this direction. Such elaborate description ought to meet the criticism that the vimanas and similar aerial vehicles mentioned in ancient Indian literature should be relegated to the region of myth. 

The ancient writers could certainly make a distinction between the mythical which they designated as daiva and the actual aerial wars designated as manusa. 

After the great victory of Rama over Lanka, Vibhisana presented him with the Puspaka vimana which was furnished with windows, apartments, and excellent seats. It was capable of accommodating all the vanaras besides Rama, Sita and Lakshman. Again in the Vikramaurvaisya, we are told that king Puraravas rode in an aerial car to rescue Urvasi in pursuit of the Danava who was carrying her away. Similarly in the Uttararamacarita in the flight between Lava and Candraketu (Act VI) a number of aerial cars are mentioned as bearing celestial spectators. There is a statement in the Harsacarita of Yavanas being acquainted with aerial machines. The Tamil work Jivakacintamani refers to Jivaka flying through the air.   

Kathasaritsagara refers to highly talented woodworkers called Rajyadhara and Pranadhara. The former was so skilled in mechanical contrivances that he could make ocean crossing chariots. And the latter manufactured a flying chariot to carry a thousand passengers in the air. These chariots were stated to be as fast as thought itself. 

(source: India Through The Ages: History, Art Culture and Religion - By G. Kuppuram p. 532-533).

(for more information on vimanas please refer to chapter on Vimanas

Next Tuesday, Part X of War in Ancient India

[Soaring Feather]

:) Thanks.

[Soaring Feather]

Cute bear. :)

[tomkow6]

So, you like my baby pictures?

[Radix]

Iraqi militiamen loyal to radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr take a position in Baghdad's Sadr City.

There are a few skiers who simply love the slopes in Iraq, but some of the slopes deemed for experts only are fraught with jeopardy for the inexperienced.

 

A supporter of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr keeps a homemade rocket launcher ready for U.S. soldiers in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday Sept. 7, 2004.

There has been a substantial increase in in the number of entries in the Baghdad High School Science Fair this year.

 

Gunmen abducted two Italian women working with a humanitarian organization and two Iraqis in central Baghdad on September 7, 2004, witnesses said. The witnesses, who earlier said three Iraqis were abducted, said men with AK-47 assault rifles stormed a building housing humanitarian organizations, abducting the Italians and two Iraqis, including a woman.

The new Autumn fashion dishrag combination insurgent helmets are out, and many Industry watchers are said to be unimpressed with this season's entries.

 

A supporter of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is framed by his weapon in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday Sept. 7, 2004.

The Kerry campaign promising to be tough on terror,  has announced that if their candidate were president, these weapons would be against the law!

 

Supporters of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr look out for U.S. soldiers in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday Sept. 7, 2004.

The traditional Sadr City, Iraq championship of musical rocket launchers has just reached the finals, and  when the music stops, there will be only one champion.

 

[tomkow6]

Did you say BARE??

[shield]

So, you like my baby pictures?

YES, I DO. I think he's just a little young for me....he's 20 maybe...I like a little more mature man!!! ;o)

[Soaring Feather]

Were is your Burka?? For Pete's sake get it on!!

[beachn4fun]

Hi Ma. We are currently overcast, but not sure if it is part of Frances. I think it is too soon for that. I suspect later this week if it heads our way.

Yes, first day was August 30th. So far, we have quite bit of homework to look forward to. Right now we are doing some refresher stuff from last class. Which means stuff I had trouble with. 8~(

I think I am going to schedule a tutor at the college. I do not want to take this class over. So, I'm going to do everything I can to pass this one.

The good thing is there is only a final exam for those who need the points. And, we have 5 quizzes, which we can use our homework for notes. Then 3 exams for which we can have a 3x5 card of notes.

What did you do over the weekend? Have you started getting cold up there yet? Is it still daylight or mostly darkness?

[tomkow6]

Were is your Burka?? For Pete's sake get it on!!

[USVet6792Retired]

Just a quick drive-by HI! so I can maybe catch up. They actually have this fantasy that I am working here....I guess next yrs budget is "kinda" important. LOL

[Old Sarge]

Journey to the tamaracks
and hear the silence all around!
Walk beneath the Douglas Fir
and strain to hear the quiet sound.

Hissing all around, above you,
if the northern wind should blow,
news and tidings passing by you
in a tongue only they know.

Sighs and groanings, branches swaying
back and forth, in rising breezes,
longing to know what they're saying
what might anger, or what pleases.

Spruce and cedar, fir and pine,
tamarack and evergreen,
no place I know, more fair and fine
than the forests have ever been!

[Soaring Feather]

All right you, I am telling Ma!!

Ma, Tom haa taken his clothes off and now has brought that disgusting blue dancer out of the closet!

[Kathy in Alaska]

happy budgeting!!

Thanks for your service to this great nation of ours.

[Soaring Feather]

haa=has

Sheeeeeesh

[Soaring Feather]

Hi Ho VET!!!!!!

[tomkow6]

I can't hear you.................

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOW! A perfect record for in-commission vehicle rate. That has got to be quite the accomplishment. Thanks, Radix.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Jimmy Dean ~ Big Bad John

[Kathy in Alaska]

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Dodd, builder course instructor with the Iraqi Construction Apprentice Program, inspects the foundation that program students are laying down for an Iraqi National Guard aid station at Camp Ar-Ramadi, Iraq, on Aug. 18, 2004. Dodd is a Navy Seabee assigned to the 14th Naval Mobile Construction Battalion, Jacksonville, Fla. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jorge A. Rodriguez

[Kathy in Alaska]

SEIZED WEAPONS — Iraqi Intervention and Multi-National Forces continue to recover large amounts of weaponry in Najaf. The numbers and types of weapons reflect what has been collected thus far. More weapons are expected to be picked up from the Iraqi National Guard Headquarters in Najaf. U.S. Army photo