पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं - AERONAUTICS !! PART-6 !!

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं 

We shall start our further discussions on aeronautics after an understanding of some of the scientific concepts of ARyabhatta in his text of Aryabhateeyam.

Aryabhatta, bases all his suthras on a number system.One such number system ( something like an encryption system..) is what we have already seen ( Katapayathi sankhya) in earlier posts. 

We will have to understand this number system (aryabhateeya sankhya ) to understand his calculations.

in this number system... Sanskrit alphabets are numbered in the following manner. 

Ka- 1   Kha - 2     Ga - 3    Gha-4    Nga-5

Cha-6  Chcha-7 ....... So on and so forth with continuous numbering upto Ma-25 

Ya-30   Ra-40    La-50   Va-60   Sa-70  Sha-80 

E-100

U - 10,000

Ru-10,00,000 

Aryabhatta says in one of his suthras " Bha upa kramo Grahaansha:" 

Upa Kramo Grahamsha: makes sense as to the degree of tilting of earth....but Bha has no meaning per say.If we refer the numbering system, Bha is of the number 24.

Thus, the tilting of earth is 24 degrees according to aryabhatta ,while the mordern calculation is 23.5 degrees. 

Now , we shall move onto our Vaimanika Shastra.

Dharpanaathikaranam : The Chapter of Mirrors ! 

Dharpanaascha [ Suthra 20.Vaimanika Shastra ] 

The Mirrors ! 

This chapter Deals with Seven Different types of mirrors to be used in aeronautics.

• VishwaKriya Darpanam 
• ShakthyaKArshana Darpanam 
• Vyroopya Darpanam 
• Kuntinee Darpanam 
• Guhaagarbha Darpanam 
• Rowdree Darpanam 

1) Vishwakriya Darpanam : 

Vishwakriyaa darpana is to be fixed on a revolving stand near the pilot so that he could observe whatever is happening outside on all sides.Its construction is also detailedly explained, the silvering and all technical processes are described, but the problem lies in deciphering the meaning of the sanskrit words of the ingredients. 

2)ShakthyaKarshana Darpanam 

As the vimaana flies through the regions of the sky, three classes of destructive forces tend to overcome it. This mirror is capable of neutralising and overcoming their effects.

The wind, solar rays, and fire are known as trivargas. Each of the three has evil effects on the plane's pilot. Those evil forces this mirror will absorb and nullify.

3)Vyroopya Darpana 

When enemy planes with men intent on intercepting and destroying your vimaana attack you with all the means at their disposal, the viroopya-darpana will frighten them into retreat or render them unconscious and leave you free to destroy or rout them. The darpana, like a magician, will change the appearance of your vimaana into such frightening shapes that the attacker will be dismayed or paralysed. There are 27 such different shapes that are said to be possible. Sammohana-kriyaa-kaanda, or the work dealing with the methods causing insensibility, mentions 17 of them.

4)Kuntinee Darpanam 

We now consider the Kuntinee mirror. The wise say that the mirror by the glare of whose rays people's minds get deranged is Kuntinee mirror. Paraankusha says that in the region of the solar electric heat waves of the sky, seven streams of poisonous whirl-winds derange the mind. the Kuntinee mirror acts as a protection against that evil effect.

5) Pinjula Darpana 

The conflicting inter-action of the solar rays is called pinjulaa. It has deleterious effect on the black eye-balls of the pilots. The pinjulaa mirror, by intervening will prevent the eye-balls being blinded by the evil rays.

It is said in "Amsubodhinee", or the work on solar rays, "There are four directions, east, west, north and south, and four corner directions, south-east, south-west, north-east and north-west. The solar force of each direction has got its own intensity, owing to different fire-force, different seasonal force, the effect of the five winds, combined with the vaarunee or liquid force of the clouds, and the resulting tension gives rise to four evil forces, andha, andhakaara, pinjoosha, and taarapaa, whose glows, known as rakta, jaathara, taaraagra, and prabha, striking the eye-balls result in blindness of both eyes. 

6) Guha GArbaDarapanam 

The conflict between the electricity in the clouds, wind, and rays, generates forces harmful to pilots. The guhaa-garbha darpana, by attracting them and projecting them by electric force against enemy planes, renders the persons inside them physically disabled and incapable of figh.

7) Rowdree Darpana 

This mirror captures solar rays and concentrates them to a targetted enemy to liquify the same. 

By the mixing of roudree and solar rays an evil force called maarikaa is generated, and impelled by the solar electricity, it destroys the enemy planes."

We shall move onto the next Chapter, Electricity In our subsequent note !! 

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं - Aeronautics ! Part - 2

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं 

Now that we are through with the 32 secrets that are to be the essential knowledge of a pilot, we will move onto the aerial routes as described in the second chapter of the vaimanika shastra 

MAARGADHIKARANAM - Chapter of aerial routes 

PANCHAGNASCHA [ VAIMANIKA SHASTRA.SUTRA.3] 

The pilot should know five things 

The atmospheric layers are categorised into five spheres.

• Rekhapaththa 
• Mandala
• Kakshya 
• Shakthi 
• Kendra 

There are well defined 519,800 air routes transversed by the planes.

further explanations are found in the valmiki ganitha (the mathematics of valmiki ) and texts of saunakha maharishi. 

AVARTHASCHA [ VAIMANIKA SHASTRA.SUTRA.4 ]

And also the whirlpools. 

Bharathwaja says, Though whirlpools in the atmosphere are innmerable, the whirlpools (avartha) found in the regions of the vimaanas are 5 in number. 

Shakthyavartha whirlpool occurs in the Rekha sphere (this is charecterised with lots of energy ) 

In mandala paththa there occurs Vayu avartha ; the whirlpool of strong wind 

In Kakshya , there occurs Kiranavartha, the whirlpool of sun's rays, blocking the view of pilot 

In shakthi , there occurs, Shaithavartha whirlpool of cold air 

In kendra there occurs Gharshanavartha ; whirlpool caused by collision (??) 

The pilot has a necessity to know these five dangers and should know to steer clearly away from these. 

ANGANYEKA THRIMSHAT [ VAIMANIKA SHASTRA.SUTRA.5] .

The parts are thirty one in number. 

Bharathwaja explains the thirty one basic parts of the aeroplane. 

The thirty one parts are also mentioned in the CHAYA PURUSHA SHASTRA.

We will not go into details now, it is also explained when it comes to the construction of aeroplanes.so we will only see an outlines view of the parts of the flights as desinges by there Amazing indians !! 

For further reference, Darpana means Mirror and yanthra means a machine or mechanism. 

1. Vishwakriyaadarpana or mirror of outside views.

2. Shaktyaakarshana or energy attracting mirror.

3. Parivesha mechanism above the hood of the Vimana.

4. Angopasamhaara yantra or folding up yantra at the 7th bindukeelaka.

5. Vistritakriyaa or opening out yantra location in the middle of the 11th section.

6. Vyroopya darpana and

7. Padmachakramukha at the shirobhaaga or crest of the Vimana.

8. The Kuntinee-shakti mechanism is to be in the neck of the Vimana.

9. Pushpinee and Pinjulaa Mirrors are to be in the right side of the centre.

10. At the front of the left side are to be located the Naalapanchaka or 5 pipes.

11. Guhaagarbha mirror yantra is to be in the front part of the stomach of the plane.

12. Thamoyantra at the north western side.

13. Pancha-vaataskandha-naala on the western centre.

14. Rowdree mirror.

15. Vaataskandha keelaka at the bottom centre.

16. Shaktisthaana at the front and right sides.

17. Shabda-kendra-mukha at the left side.

18. Vidyuddwaadashaka at the north-east side.

19. Praanakundala at the moola of the Vimana.

20. Shaktyudgama at the navel of the Vimana.

21. Vakraprasaarana at the side of Vimanaadhaara.

22. Shaktipanjara in the central portion.

23. Shirahkeelaka at the head of the Vimana.

24. Shabdaakarshaka yantra at the shoulder.

25. Pata-prasaarana at the bottom centre.

26. Dishaampati yantra at the left front.

27. Pattikaabhraka at the centre of the hood of the Vimana.

28. Solar power attractor at the top of the Vimana.

29. Apasmaara or poison gas at the sandhi-naala mukha or junction tube front.

30. Sthambhana yantra at the bottom.

31. Vyshwaanara-naala at the navel centre.

With these basics, Bharathwaja also goes onto explaining the clothing of pilots.the next adhikarana is VASTHRADHIKARANAM,from which we will see in the next note. 

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं - Aeronautics

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं 

The discussions that have  been triggered in the commnets of the last note indeed give me great happiness.These sutras on physics were so true and amazing that they were a treat to our minds.But, there could be flaws in translations, or interpretations. Happy that we have started thinking and debating on such great matters.These healthy debates could reveal things to the world. Continue posting your opinions of differences and we shall ponder over the same. 

Science has been given much importance in the vedas.The postulates on the nature of matter and the existance and operation of the world were known as "Rtha".This, the yajur veda says, every man has to make a vow of learning and teaching to others the rtha or science.The thaithreeya samhitha of the krishna yajur veda says,

" Rtham cha swaadhyaaya pravachane cha " [ i shall learn and teach science ] 

With this interesting reference to the importance of science in the Sanathana dharma,we shall move onto the VAIMANIKA SHASTRA.

This shastra is the masterpeice work of Shri.Bharathwaja Maharishi.In his invocatory verse, 

" I shall write and explain with 500 sutras (SUTHRAIR PANCHA SHATHAIYUKTHAM),100 topics (SHATHADHIKARANAISTHADHA ) in eight chapters, ( ASHTADHYAAYA SAMAAYUKTHAM ), the science of aeronautics (VAIMANIKA PRAKARANAM ).This i shall write for the making easy the travel of people.

Firstly, We must understand that This is not the first text on the Aeroplanes in ancient india.Bharathwaja himself mentiones that he was guided by the following works.If Bharathwaja lived in around 1000 - 1500 BC and was guided by texts older than this, then we should imagine how old the techniques of Aeronautics must have been india.

Sage narayana -- VIMANA CHANDRIKA 

Sage garka       -- VYOMA YAANA THANTRA 

Sage vachaspati-- YANTHRA KALPA. 

We will see only basics for a few posts.It is only during the last that we will get into the real construction and pictures of construction of th vimanas. 

Thus, in sutra 1 , 

VEGA-SAAMYAATH VIMAANO ANDAJAANAAM [ SUTRA 1, VAIMANIKA ] 

ANDAJA - EGG BORN ;  VIMAANA - Aeoroplane 

"Owing to similarity of speed with birds, it is named Vimaana." 

Acharya Narayana defines vimana as ; "That which can speed on earth, on water, through air, by its own power, like a bird, is a "Vimaana"

Vishwambhara says, "Experts say that that which can fly through air from one country to another country, from one island to another island, and from one world to another world, is a "Vimaana".

Having thus defined the vimana, The sage moves onto explain details.

RAHASYAGNANODHIKAAREE [ SUTRA 2 , VAIMANIKA ] 

Rahasya-  secret ; gnana - knowledge ; adhikaree - knower 

This prakarana(chapter) talks about pilots.Thus he mentions that a pilot is person who knows the secret art of driving the vimanaas. 

As I said, Every school has sutras and vritti.The vritti grantha for the vaimanika shastra was given by Bodhananda.A vedic sage.His text is also available today along with the vaimanika shastra.So we will refer to this explanations as well. 

He says, Scientists say that there are 32 secrets of the working of the Vimaana. A pilot should acquaint himself thoroughly with them before.

We shall discuss the thirty two secrets described by the sage now.

1.MANTHRA : 

       Mantras and meditations are prescribed by the shastra to a pilot.It is said that by meditation the pilot aquires concentration, which is very much required to operate the flights.

2.THANTHRIKA : 

    This actually is interpreted by many as the ability to endow powers onto the flight.But i feel it is a metaphorical statement that means to convey that the pilot must know to repair the flight. ( magic/power - power to run even after a damage - repair ) 

3.KRITHAKA : 

       To study the various scripts describing the construction of vimanas.

4.ANTARAALA :

       In the wind-swept atmospheric region of the sky, in the clash at the borders of mighty currents, an inadvertent plane is likely to be smashed to pieces. But by getting warned of the approach of such danger spots, the plane could be halted and steered with care.

5.GOODHA : 

     Using the layers of atmosphere to hide the plane from the view of the enemy plane.[explained in vayutatwa prakarana) 

6.DRISHYA : 

       Use of mirrors ( Vishwa kriya darpanam ) and making the flight a camaflouged one.This enables better warfare with the enemy flights. 

7.ADHRISHYA : 

      Knowing how to produce a white circe (probably of smoke ? ) to make the vimana invisible to the enemy. 

8.PAROKSHA : 

        The study of Meghothpaththi Prakarana.The science describing the science of clouds 

9.APAROKSHA : 

        By projection of light infront of the vimana, things can be made better visible. 

10.SANKOCHA : 

        This literally means contraction.The shastra says, since the flight flies with its wings fully streched, hence there could be trouble because of this.By pressing the 7th switch, the wings can be shortened without affecting the flight.This is also calledYANTHRAANGOPASAMHAARA 

11.VISTRITA : 

     By turning the 11th switch of the flight, the vimana can be expanded a little.The mathematical calculations of this are found in the VALMIKI GANITHAM ( the mathematics of valmiki) 

12.VIROOPA KARANA : 

     By producing a kind of smoke projecting it through the tube called padma chakra to the bhyravee oil smeared Darpana (mirror) , and whirling i nthe 132nd speed, a monstrous picture of the flight can be created for the enemy.This will make him afraid. 

13.RUPANTHARA : 

        Some oils and some and use of specific mirros can create images of lion tiger in the mid air.

14.SUROOPA : 

        Some kind of mirrors and smoke can be used to show as if the flight is bedecked with lowers. 

15.JYOTHIRBHAVA : 

        Use of lights to make the flight glow. 

16.THAMOMAYA  : 

       MAke the plane appear dark , by the use of thamo yanthra.Also described the construction of this machine in the previous text of bharathwaja ( amsu bodhinee) 

17.PRALAYA : 

      Art of destruction of enimies 

18.VIMUKHA : 

       By projecting the VYSHWANARA POISON, Through the third tube and use of the mirror by name ROUDREE DARPANA, And turing on the switchh of air blowing, Insensiblity can be created to the enemy.

19.TAARA : 

     By mixing with etherial force 10 parts of air forte, 7 parts of water force, and 16 parts of solar glow, and projecting it by means of the star-faced mirror through the frontal tube of the Vimana; the appearance of a star-spangled sky is created.

20.MAHA SHABDHA VIMOHANA : 

        By useing the pressure of air around, sound can be emitted by usage of specific switches.These resemble thundering and leaves enemies in fear. 

21.LANGHANA : 

          How to stay safe from the heat of the sun. 

22.SAARPA GAMANA : 

        How to move and drive the flight in a Zig zag manner to confuse the enemy. 

23.CHAAPALA : 

       by turning the middle switch in the force center of the vimana, a great speed wil lbe generated confusing the enemy plane. 

24.SARVATHOMUKHA : 

       When an arrangement of enemy flights come to attack the flight, how to escape. 

25.PARASHABDHA GRAAHAKA RAHASYA : 

       As explained i the sowdaminee kala (electronic sciences), installation and working of the machines that help to over hear the conversations in the enemy plane. 

26.RUPAKARSHANA : 

        The art of capturing images of the interiors of the enemy plane.

                         HE MEANS PHOTOGRAPHY INDEED !!! 

 He says ; 

 VIMANASYA RUPAKARSHANA YANTHRA DWAARA PARAVIMAANASTHITHA VASTHU RUPAKARSHANA RAHASYAM  

27.KRIYAGRAHANA : 

By turning the key at the bottom of the Vimana, a white cloth is made to appear. By electrifying the three acids in the north-east part of the Vimana, and subjecting them to the 7 kinds of solar rays, and passing the resultant force into the tube of the Thrisheersha mirror

and making the cloth screen face the mirror, and switching on the upper key, all the activities going on down below on the ground, will be projected on the screen.

28.DIGPRADARSHANA : 

         A switch will project on the screen the direction of approach of the enemy plane. 

29.AAKASHAAKAARA : 

        Smearing black mica along with other specific substances can offer camaflouge to the plane. 

30.JALADHARUPA : 

         How to make the flight have the appearce on as though it resembles is a cloud, by use of smoke.

31.STABDHAKA : 

          By projecting apasmaara poison-fume smoke through the tube on the north side on the Vimana, and discharging it with stambhana-yantra, people in enemy planes will be made unconscious

32.KARSHANA : 

             How to burn the enemy plane and destroy it. 

Hope you enjoyed reading the 32 Rahasyas.We will proceed onto the adhikarana (chapter) dealing with the AERIAL ROUTES.( AKASHA MARGAADHIKARANAM ).

I have used an e book upoloaded by anonymous.The page containing the Verses of bharathwaja on these rahasyas, i have attached herewith for you to have a look.If any of you want the text i will be happy to forward.Drop in your email id as a comment.

Thank you for reading !! DO COMMENT :) 

BE PROUD AS AN INDIAN !! 

P.S : There are more researches done on this subject unlike the previous topic of ours,the vaisheshika sutras.Both indian and foreign scientists have agreed that these are possible to an extent.The biggest problem faced is that we do not get to understand which materials they refer to for the processes.

Please view this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFssEh-b7A8 

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं - Theory of relativity

पुरातन भारतीय विज्ञानं 

Succesful publish of the fifth part !! feeling happy and proud as an indian !! :) 

As we have already seen that sanskrit paved way for western languages including english, and the striking similarity we saw between the words GRURUTHVAATH which meant GRAVITY, According to Dr.Dean borwn and his research every word is connected. 

This could be a probable connection too.... In indian marriages, the tying of the sacred knot is not regarded as the most important event actually.It is the catching hold of the girl's hand by the boy and saying "may we be together for our whole life " is regarded as the most important event.This is also called, "PAANIGRAHANAM".the relation starts with the hand. So it was called as HASTHA BANDHAM (HASTHA - HAND , BANDHAM- RELATIONSHIP) this could have probably become HUSBAND !!!!  So...Akshat's fact is extended to another word.... :) 

With this interesting introduction..let us move onto the physics part.

 HASTHA KARMANA DAARA KARMA VYAKHYATHAM [ VAISHESHIKA SUTRA 5.1.11] 

Hastha - Hand ; Karma-Work ; Daara - Passive ; Vyakhyatham - Explained 

When the hand holding the body falls freely along with the body it does passive work.

It implies that thre is no work done at 90 Degrees.

KANADA gives lots of examples of Passive work in sutras 5.1.12 - 5.1.16.Since these are examples of the same type We are not discussing it here. 

ISHAVA YUGAPATH SAMYOGA VISHESHA KARMA ANYATVE HETHU: 

YUGAPATH - The path ; Vishesha - particular ; Anyathve - Difference ; Hethu - Reason 

When an arrow is shot , it has different kinetic energies at different points of its route. 

NODANAATH ADHYAM EESHO: KARMA THATH KARMA KAARITHATH CHA SAMSKARAATH UTHTHARAM THATHOTHARAMUTHTHARANCHA [ VAISHESHIKA SUTRA 5.1.7] 

Initially the force (nodana) applied to the arrow produces initial karma (kinetic energy) in the arrow. That energy produces a momentum in the arrow. It is because of this momentum that the arrow goes on going up. As the projectile rises, higher and higher samsakara becomes less and less.

And it is after this that it talks about gravity.This sutra we have already seen , but we will review it for better clarity since it is the extension of the above sutra. 

SAMYOGABHAAVE GRURUTHVAATH PATHANAM [VAISHESHIKA SUTRA 5.1.8] 

and thus the body falls due to gravity. 

This is such a modern way of analysing physics.This type of physics and its analyses was not in existance in europe before the 17th century A.D.

In Addition to this Book of Vaisheshika sutra, There was a rishi by namePRASHTAPATHA,who gave a commentary on this text of vaisheshika sutra,which is named as PADARTHA DHARMA SANGRA: [Nature of matter].

In these texts by prashtapatha, Wide range of physics from Generealphysics to Quantum physics have been handled.

Udhyothakara,Another Vedic Scholar has stated in his work by nameNyayavarthika, that a heavier body falls to ground with greater vega than a lighter body (falling from the same height). That means vega is a combined function of velocity and mass.

Prastapatha Also talks about Bhawana - Inertia and Sthithisthapaka - Elasticity.

Prashastapada analyses the velocity due to gravity in a freely falling body in quite modern way. He says that the motion of bodies falling from rest starts by gravity alone. This leads to a samsakara, in the same direction. As the force of gravity continues to operate, the further motion of the falling bodies is due to gravity as well as samsakara. Yet further, to this new velocity is added further velocity due to further action of gravity. Thus the velocity goes on increasing. The resultant motion is one but both the causes must be conceived as contributing to the resultant motion.

Five types of simple motion have been identified.

UTHKSHEPANA - Upward Throw 

APAKSHEPANA - Dpwnward throw 

AKUNCHANA    - Attraction 

PRASARANA    - Repulsion 

GAMANA          - Motion 

Further, it is stated that , 

DIG PRADESHA SAMOGA VIBHAAGA KARANAM 

Cause of translatory motions is new contact with a point in space then separation with that point in the next short interval of time and a new contact with the next point in space-field.

This gives us a picture of the mordern concept of dx/dt for velocity.

YATH ADRAVYATHAAM THATH KRIYAVANNA BHAVATHI 

Thus Matter is defined by its capacity to gain momentum by application of force. 

Let us look at some other conceptual terms that prashtapathaa talks about along with their english meanings and put them together to form a meaningful physics statement.

Karma                                                                                  - Energy 

Kshanikathwam                                                                   - Instantaneous 

Murta Dravya Vrititwam                                                      - belonging to material substances 

Sva karya samyoga virodhitwam                                         -is done on doing work by itself 

Swa parasharya amavetha karya arambakatwam              - can initiate work on assosiation with anoother body 

prathi niyatha jaathi yogithwam                                          - is based on various types of motions 

Dravya anarambhakathwam                                               - cannot form material substances 

Dig Vishaya karya arambhakathwam                                  - causes motion in  a specified direction. 

With all these concepts told by prashtapatha in the above mentioned order, it can be concatenated to bring together the definition of vector.(look at the last concept....It says in a specified direction).

Further, Prashtapatha Mentioned different types of motions. 

Gamana    - Curvillenear motion or speed 

Bhramana - rotatory motion 

Spandana - harmonic / vibratory motion 

He also talk about Angular momentum.He calls this concept as Avayavina: samskaraath.

Prashtapatha is also credited with the work on theory of relativity.This theory has been in existance in india for along period of time.Vedantha has been making use of this theory to the fullest.

Apeksha budhi is the term given for relativity.

Schools of vedantha have this thought on Relativity : 

Time is something eternal, it is an eternal dimension of existence. But it is relative also and its perception is dependent on the conditions of the subject perceiving it. Many of the features of time are like that of space. It is adhara of events in the same way as space is adhara of objects. Time is anashrita (not dependant, not requiring others). On that account also it is very much like space. It is also suggested that in the very beginning of universe, it was a condensed form of time from which everything emerged.

Now that we are done with prashtapatha's commentary on Vaishehsika sutras also, We will move onto the physics of light in the next note and proceed further.