[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) › c2.45 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.45 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.45 - **Language:** English ### [c2.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.45) It may be recalled here that in the political play of Viśākhadatta in which the author of the \*Arthaśāstra\* is the leading character, Kauṭilya is made to use this device against Vairocaka, brother of Parvatakeśvara, the unwanted partner; Kauṭilya gets advance intelligence of the ruse employed by Rākṣhasa through an architect named Dāruvarman; the architect had erected a \*yantra-toraṇa\*, a mechanically fitted arch, which could be brought down by the drawing out of one of the fastening rods; this had been set up to kill Candragupta as he entered the palace for the coronation; and Kauṭilya offers Vairocaka as a victim to this \*yantra-toraṇa\*. This may be compared to the \*Viśvāsa-ghātī\* to be noticed below. A second ruse mentioned by Kauṭilya for the same purpose is a bedchamber in which part of the flooring has a mechanical contrivance; underneath this part of the floor is a deep cavity or a pit with pikes; and over it is placed the bed of the unwanted person; after he goes to sleep, the flooring is released and down goes the poor man with his bed. - [Previous: c2.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.44) - [Next: c2.46](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.46) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (2) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit - [Mudrārākṣasa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.plays.rajacarita.mudraraksasa) — Viśākhadatta, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.45) · Pramāṇa