The Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste in Ancient India, as Represented by the Sanskrit Epic c2.s5.614

c2.s5.614

* H. 4515; i. 18. 12. Observe in H. that the slow motion of the gradually raised bow is the point of comparison; with the example from the first book, it is clear that a derrick is meant. Notice how late is the iron *yantra*. Compare xiv. 77. 26, *vikarṣa dhanuḥ . . yantrasye 'va ҫabdo 'bhūn mahāṅs tasya*. Here the sound of the bow is like the discharge of a catapult (as well as cannon). So R. vi. 72. 24, *yantrasya ceṣṭamānasya mahato dānavāir iva*, of the sound of the demon's teeth. This is a good example, for fire came from his eyes, and fire-imagery is exhausted before coming to the *yantra*, which is reserved for noise.