[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952) › c2.121 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.121 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.121 - **Language:** English ### [c2.121](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.121) The context where the description of the "yantra" occurs is the longing of the pregnant Vāsavadattā; in the Kashmirian version of Somadeva there is only a line saying that her \*dohada\* (longing) was fulfilled by manifold contrivances, yantras, etc., arranged by the Minister Yaugandharāyaṇa. But in Budhasvāmin's version²⁸ the context contains an elaborate digression devoted to the yantras. Vāsavadattā yearned to see the whole world from above in an aerial vehicle (Śloka 190); Rumaṇvān, the commander-in-chief,²⁹ at once ordered carpenters to manufacture a flying yantra (Śloka 196). The carpenters say that they know only four kinds of yantras, made respectively with water, stone, mud and twigs; that it is the Yavanas who know the \*Ākāśa-yantras\*, and that they, for their part, have not even laid eyes on them. - [Previous: c2.120](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.120) - [Next: c2.122](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.122) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Bṛhatkathā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.brhatkatha) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.121](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.121) · Pramāṇa