[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) › c2.73 # Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.73 Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India c2.73 - **Language:** English ### [c2.73](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.73) The Jain Sūtras, which may go back in their nucleus to Mauryan times and which attained their present form in the 6th century A.D., know these yantras. The \*Bhagavatī Sūtra\* gives a list of eight finalities one of which is the last fight with huge stones thrown as missiles.¹¹ The same Sūtra describes the war between Kūṇiya and Cheḍaga where we have the expressions \*Mahāśilākaṇṭaka-Saṁgrāma\* and \*Ratha-musala-Saṁgrāma\*; the correct construction of the first name is "a battle in which one is beset by the stone complex," for the text itself elaborates that such a heavy stone-shower has been in operation that even if a blade of grass or a piece of wood, a leaf or a pebble struck one, one got the fright of a stone. The \*Ratha-musala\* is described by the text 'as a mechanical chariot which ran about without horses or driver and worked carnage in the enemy lines. - [Previous: c2.72](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.72) - [Next: c2.74](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.74) - [Up: c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2) ## Linked texts (1) - [Viyāhapannatti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.sveta.anga.5) — Sudharman, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.73](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.raghavan-1952.c2.73) · Pramāṇa