[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) › c2.195 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.195 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.195 - **Language:** English ### [c2.195](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.195) An artificial object which was probably common in Bhoja's time is a wooden elephant which Bhoja describes twice; earlier he cited it as an example of various wonderful effects that could be achieved through yantras (72-3). It occurs here again under yantras based on the principle of sending water upward, \*Ucchrāya\* (115). This wooden-elephant drinks water placed in a vessel,³⁶ any amount of it, and neither the intake nor the water taken in is perceivable. On the \*Samaucchrāya\* principle of circulation of water on the same level is based the underground conduit which brings water to a tank from a distant source (116). Water conduits in general are described earlier also in Chapter 18 in connection with the city and residence. - [Previous: c2.194](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.194) - [Next: c2.196](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.196) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.195](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.195) · Pramāṇa