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

[SevenofNine]

Well World Tribune report that Hamas may run one of their leader in local Syria election who would have ear to Syria Prez Assad

WHOA

Also Hareetz wire reporting that Iran is calling Israel smack chat on their nuke plant saying that they wouldn't dare go after Iran

I don't know about you Iran don't put words that you won't back up

YOu won't call it joke if you see "Have nice day" nuke bomb plant I don't think they get Slim Pickin ride it

[Diva Betsy Ross]

HI KIDS!!! I AM HOME! Hope everyone is well! BTW- Our troops ROCK!

[Fawnn]

Diva Betsy Ross!!!


I hope you had a great time! ;)

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday!

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Diva, for Part IX of War in Ancient India. Hope all is well with you and you aren't having too much rain.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

Click above to visit "A Day in the Life of President Bush"

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Kathy in Alaska]

DBR....good to see you!! Hi Jimmy! Hi Stephen!
Hope you had a wonderful summer vacation. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, ms feather, for the Canteen Blessing for the Troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Outstanding Pledge and graphic today, Hope. Thanks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, Aeronaut and Otto, and thank you both for your dedication to the flyover of protection for our troops' Canteen, a place where we offer a "touch of home" for our troops, our veterans, their families, and our allies. Hope you and Mrs Aeronaut and Luke had a good Labor Day weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, TM, for the fresh coffee and inspiration for our troops. So neat that you got to see President Bush yesterday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good day to you, lauren. Have a good one.

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

And a very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your continued service to our country.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Welcome to the Canteen, BenLUrkin.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Tonk. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!