Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.194

c2.194

The sixth series now taken up by Bhoja in the *Krīḍārtha* class, is the fountain, *vāri-yantra*, described in some detail by Somadeva, and dealt with by Bhoja not only here, but also earlier under palace architecture. Movement in the *vāri-yantra* is fourfold: (a) a downward flow from an overhead tank for which a *Pāta-yantra* or waterfall-machine, is to be used; (b) *Ṣamanādikā* is for the release of water at a higher level from tanks placed at that level; (c) *Pātasama-ucchrāya* is a contrivance using bored columns for letting down water from a height, and then taking it up through columns placed aslant; and (d) the last, *Ucchrāya*, in which water from a well or in a canal on the ground is sent up by a device. (110-14).