[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) › c2.147 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.147 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.147 - **Language:** English ### [c2.147](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.147) In the course of the Madanamañcukā story in VI. 3, Somadeva narrates in his \*Kathāsaritsāgara\* the episode of Somaprabhā, the daughter of Maya, who takes a fancy to Madanamañcukā and becomes her great friend; Somaprabhā and Svayamprabhā, of \*Rāmāyaṇa\* and \*Pañcāpsaras\* fame, were two daughters of the Asura architect Maya. One morning Somaprabhā calls on Madanamañcukā with a wonder-box full of various kinds of mechanical dolls. Maya himself had taught Somaprabhā how to make these yantras, mechanical wooden toys. - [Previous: c2.146](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.146) - [Next: c2.148](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.148) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (2) - [Kathāsaritsāgara](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.brhatkatha.kathasaritsagara) — Somadeva Bhaṭṭa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.147](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.147) · Pramāṇa