[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) › c2.199 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.199 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.199 - **Language:** English ### [c2.199](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.199) Fine and fragrant timber, Devadāru, Sandal, Sal, are to be used for the woodwork, carved pillars, platforms, projections, windows, cornices, etc. The main items are female figures and models of birds, animals like monkeys, manifold forms with gaping mouths, semi-divine and half-human and half-animal forms, \*Nāgas\*, \*Kinnaras\* etc., dancing peacocks, \*Kalpavṛikshas\*, creepers and bowers, cuckoos, bees and swans. In the centre of the flowing stream is to be fixed the main pipe, the exterior of it being made into any charming form according to one's liking. To the top of it is fitted and fastened strongly with \*vajralepa\*, cement, the devices for taking up water, scattering and throwing it in a variety of ways (133). The pond is to be filled, for effect, with yantras of animals and aquatic beings, \*e.g.\*, sporting elephants which do even minute actions like closing their eyes when another throws water on the face (134); other specimens we saw in the description in the author's \*Śṛiṅgāramañjarī\*. Female figures spraying water from eyes, nails, etc., when those parts are touched are described here (136-37) as well as in the earlier chapter (XVIII. 47-50). - [Previous: c2.198](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.198) - [Next: c2.200](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.200) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Cites (2) - [Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.art.silpa.samaranganasutradhara.18.47) — Bhoja, Sanskrit - [Śṛṅgāramañjari](https://indike.org/pramana/in.vernacular.telugu.kirtana.annamacarya.srngaramanjari) — Tāḷḷapāka Annamācārya, Telugu --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.199](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.199) · Pramāṇa