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

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ANCIENT WARFARE

Part IX: War in Ancient India

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

Good evening, shield. A special thanks to your whole family for their service to this great country of ours.

381 posted on 09/07/2004 9:36:19 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

To: Colonel_Flagg; bentfeather

~Anita Baker~Sweet~
Colonel, hope my wings don't get in the way!
Smooth!!

382 posted on 09/07/2004 9:40:51 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poetry is my forte.)

Oooo .. Anita! What a wonderful song...

383 posted on 09/07/2004 9:43:09 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it. - Sir Winston Churchill)

To: Kathy in Alaska

I say YOUR WELCOME from all of them, self included. Tonight they're all safe...Thank the Lord for that!!! And then there's always tomorrow with great hope and anticipation!!!

384 posted on 09/07/2004 9:44:56 PM PDT by shield (The Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God!!!! by Dr. H. Ross, Astrophysicist)

385 posted on 09/07/2004 9:45:28 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub (MAKE SURE YOUR YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED AND VOTE Nov 2nd!)

To: Colonel_Flagg

386 posted on 09/07/2004 9:46:35 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poetry is my forte.)

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

The Canteen

As a light house beacon warns
a ship away from dangerous shores...
We in the FReeper CANTEEN
offer a safe haven for our troops and their families.
May God Bless our ship FReeper CANTEEN.

bentfeather
9/05/03
Revised 01/05/04

If you wish touch the graphic....~A Simple Prayer~Roma Downey~

387 posted on 09/07/2004 9:55:06 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poetry is my forte.)

To: Colonel_Flagg

G' nite Colonel, thanks for the fun.

388 posted on 09/07/2004 9:56:18 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poetry is my forte.)

Good night, dear friend. Talk tomorrow :)

389 posted on 09/07/2004 9:56:38 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it. - Sir Winston Churchill)

Thank you, ms feather, for The Canteen...

".....a safe haven for our troops and their families."

390 posted on 09/07/2004 9:56:42 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

To: Kathy in Alaska

G' nite, Kathy, see you tomorrow.

391 posted on 09/07/2004 9:57:45 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poetry is my forte.)

Thanks for everything, Star.....make sure that little one gets plenty of rest.

392 posted on 09/07/2004 10:01:35 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

To: bentfeather; Old Sarge; All

"Twas when you placed your hand in mine,

I knew we'd be together, for all time

"Tis many a night we loved and embraced

Until the call of War we faced

When men in arms crashed into hall, to awaken Warriors All

To this day I shall not feign, I felt the blood rush in thy veins

I knew they heart was stirred that night

A Call to Arms to do what's right

We ride with thee,My gallant Knight

To protect thy hearth and kin

and innocent villagers sheltered within

meantime I will pray for thee

Godpseed back thee home safely...to me...

393 posted on 09/07/2004 10:07:05 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)

Thanks, ms feather, for everything you do for the Canteen.

394 posted on 09/07/2004 10:07:12 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

Good night and sleep well, Radix. Thanks for finding the pictures of our troops at work. And thanks for your service to our country too. And the 1Lt, too.

395 posted on 09/07/2004 10:15:20 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

To: Kathy in Alaska; All

Me and my bad poetry are going to bed!
No drives tomorrow!!
I get to sleep in and visit my Dad!
Thanks so much Canteeners!
God Bless you, Troops!
Keeping you in thought and prayer always...
Ms.B

396 posted on 09/07/2004 10:19:05 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)

To: bentfeather; Kathy in Alaska; All

Dang it!!
"Godspeed thee back home safely to me..."
Is what it should have said...
Dang it again!
Ruined my own poem!!
See what gettin' up early does for ya??!!!
Oh just dammmit!!
Ms.B

397 posted on 09/07/2004 10:28:39 PM PDT by MS.BEHAVIN (Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. Re-elect G.W.Bush)

There, there, ms b. It's ok. Good job with the poems. Y'all are good.

398 posted on 09/07/2004 10:43:13 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

Sleep?? What's that. Good night, ms b, and rest well.
Enjoy your visit with your Dad. Thanks for helping honor our troops.

399 posted on 09/07/2004 10:45:35 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

t....how are you doing? Hope all is well with you and the kiddies. ((HUGS))

400 posted on 09/07/2004 10:47:04 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska (God Bless America and Our Troops Who Protect Her)

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