[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) › c2.166 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.166 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.166 - **Language:** English ### [c2.166](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.166) After a lavish encomium on the comfort and advantages to be enjoyed through the machines, Bhoja proceeds to describe the constituent elements called Bījas of each variety, the \*Pārthiva\*, \*Taijasa\*, etc.; while all the elements may be used for a single yantra, it is to be named after the dominant constituent (21-25, 42). Then are mentioned the materials: metals—tin, iron, copper and silver—and wood, hide and textiles; the parts and the principles: the wheels and the rotation; the suspenders and the hangings; the rods, the shafts and the caps; the tools; and the work: measuring, cutting etc.—all these are also to be included under the Bījas of a \*Pārthiva-yantra\* (25-27). The application of fire-bijas on earth-machines comprises heating and boiling; of water, mixing and dissolving, pouring of and filling with water, and providing a belt of water. Height, size, closeness and motion towards a higher plane are spatial features in \*Pārthiva-yantras\*. The element of air is to be applied through bellows, fans, flaps, etc. (28-32). Similarly in machines which are mainly \*jala-yantras\* the use of timber, hide and metal forms the \*Pārthiva\* element and so on. (33-41). As, however, machines have to take some shape and possess a body, the \*Pārthiva\* is an important constitutent (43-44). - [Previous: c2.165](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.165) - [Next: c2.167](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.167) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.silpa.samaranganasutradhara.31.21) — Bhoja, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.166](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.166) · Pramāṇa