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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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

[Old Sarge]

BETSY!!!

Glad to see you back once more!

[tomkow6]

FINAL

CUBS 9

Expos 1 

 

TONIGHT

September 7 @ 7:05 p.m. CT
 Radio: WGN 720

  VS  
 

 

FINAL

CUBS 9

Expos 1 

 

TONIGHT

September 7 @ 7:05 p.m. CT
 Radio: WGN 720

  VS  
 

[tomkow6]

 

Chicagoland Weather

September 07, 2004
Chicago, IL
Sunrise	6:23 AM (CDT)
Sunset	7:18 PM (CDT)
Hrs. of Daylight	12 Hrs., 55 Mins

 

Currently
59°

Partly Cloudy

	Hi: 73

	Lo: 53

5 Day Forecast

WED

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FRI

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SUN

Sunny

High:	71
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Mostly Sunny

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Isolated Thunderstorms

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[StarCMC]

	ARTHER, MATTHEW Rank and organization: Signal Quartermaster, U.S. Navy. Born: 1835, Scotland. Entered service at: Boston, Mass. G.O. No.: 17, 10 July 1863. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Carondelet at the reduction of Forts Henry and Donelson, 6 and 14 February 1862 and other actions. Carrying out his duties as signal quartermaster and captain of the rifled bow gun, S/Q.M. Arther was conspicuous for valor and devotion, serving most faithfully, effectively and valiantly.   ASTEN, CHARLES Rank and organization: Quarter Gunner, U.S. Navy. Born: 1834, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Accredited to: Illinois. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the Federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement.   ATKINSON, THOMAS E. Rank and organization: Yeoman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1824, Salem, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Richmond, Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864; commended for coolness and energy in supplying the rifle ammunition, which was under his sole charge, in the action in Mobile Bay on the morning of 5 August 1964. He was a petty officer on board the U.S. Frigate Congress in 1842-46; was present and assisted in capturing the whole of the Buenos Ayrean fleet by that vessel off Montevideo; joined the Richmond in September 1860; was in the action with Fort McRea, the Head of the Passes of the Mississippi, Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the Chalmettes, the rebel ironclads and gunboats below New Orleans, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and at the surrender of New Orleans.   If there be any glory in war, let it rest on the shoulders of men like these" -- Audie Murphy Thank you to all the military heroes, past and present, who have given me my freedoms.  You are my heroes and I pray for God's blessings on you today.  You will not be forgotten. * indicates the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Graphics and information from the Medal of Honor website.

[Old Sarge]

{{{{{ BEACH! }}}}}

Looks like Demented Sis came through the storm - with her liquor cabinet intact!

[Old Sarge]

STAR!!!

Gonna stay a bit?

[StarCMC]

GM Diva - great thread!! Thank you!! HUGS!

[tomkow6]

Morning, B4F!

[tomkow6]

Morning, Sarge!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, OH PREGNANT ONE!

[StarCMC]

Woo-hoo DBR!! So glad you're back!!!!

[StarCMC]

Wish I COULD stay - gotta go hit the showers and herd the cats out the door for all our activities today. Shorty's first day of REAL preschool, big kids to mom, me to work. Time to go bill the clients!!

[StarCMC]

Good morning, OH SILLY ONE!

[Old Sarge]

Morning, Tom!!!

Getting ready for D-Day, or did I miss it already?

[StarCMC]

Gotta scoot!! I'll see ya'll in a couple hours from the cube!! HUGS to all!!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the FR Canteen.
Back to work after a 4 day weekend.
Nice cool weather today and this week.

[tomkow6]

D-Day is THIS Thursday.

[darkwing104]

Good Morning Canteen FReepers! First of all Frances missed us, all we got was a little wind and no rain. Thanks for the history lesson. Anyone got coffee?

[tomkow6]

[laurenmarlowe]

Good Morning Canteen!

Good Morning Troops!