One thing we must clarify that if Indians knew about flying machines,then how did they refer to them.As per old tradition,the word 'Vimana' is generally associated with aeroplanes.But we must test this with appropriate documents and proofs.
The Sanskrit word Vimana means "measuring out" or "having being measured out". It also means a self-moving or controllable chariot or car of the gods,which can move through sky and space (Antariksha) with large speeds.
When we consider ancient texts,it is still unclear whether the stories and descriptions were real events in the history or just mythological stories to teach us moral values.
Another feature of Indian scriptures is that the descriptions of places,things and people are highly exaggerated poetic similies and metaphors,with often cryptic meanings hidden in them.So it becomes very difficult to interpret their exact meanings.
Vimana is also the name of a common architectural structure often found in large Temples of South India.
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(Image credits-Varad Anvekar)
The 600 yr old Vimana on the eastern entrance of the Virupaksha Temple,Hampi,Karnataka. |
Let us look at some of the geniune ancient Indian texts metioning a possible description of flying machines
Rigveda (Book 1,Metre-Tristhupa,Deity-Ashvin)
Hymn 118-
English Translation-
1. FLYING, with falcons, may your chariot, Asvins, most gracious, bringing friendly
help, come hither,-
Your chariot, swifter than the mind of mortal, fleet as the wind, three-seated O ye Mighty.
2 Come to us with your chariot triple seated, three-wheeled, of triple form, that rolleth lightly.
Fill full our cows, give mettle to our horses, and make each hero son grow strong, O Asvins.
3 With your well-rolling car, descending swiftly, hear this the press-stone's song, ye WonderWorkers.
How then have ancient sages said, O Asvins, that ye most swiftly come to stay affliction?
4 O Asvins, let your falcons bear you hither, yoked to your chariot, swift, with flying pinions,
Which, ever active, like the airy eagles, carry you, O Nasatyas, to the banquet.
Comments- In these verses, the Ashwins and their chariot is described.Ashwini Kumar were divine twins,sons of Sun god and Vishwakarma's (The chief architect of Universe ) daughter Saranyu.They were gods of medicine and were the doctors of the Gods.
Here their chariot,is described as "descending" from somewhere,and is pulled by flying falcons,which give hint of a flying vehicle.
But at the same time,the chariot is said rolling swiftly (refering the rolling of chariot wheels),which is possible only for a land based vehicle.
It is still unclear whether it means a land or aerial vehicle,and what is exactly rolling (propellers or actual wheels)
Valmiki Ramayan (Book 3-Aranya Kanda (Forest Trek),Chap- 35)
Hymn- 3-35-6,7,19,20
English Translation-
That chariot which is decorated with golden ornaments, yoked with monster-faced mules that have gem studded trappings is rideable by the wish of the rider, and sitting in such a chariot which is wholly golden and which rides with a sound like the pealing of thunder, that celebrated Ravana, the brother of Kubera and the lord of demons, travelled towards the lord of rivers and rivulets, namely the ocean. (3-35-6,7)
While Ravana, the brother of Kubera, is quickly transiting he saw everywhere the whitish and widish aircrafts belonging to the deified souls who acquired higher worlds, and from those aircrafts adorned with divine flowery tassels and piloted by the wish of their steersmen, instrumental and vocal music is resonating, and gandharva-s are singing and apsara-s are dancing in them. (3-35-19, 20)
Comments-
In the verse 6 and 7,no-where is the mention of a flying vehicle,just a description of Ravana's chariot.But the question arises how can a land based chariot cross the ocean? So it has to be a specialised vehicle having capacity to fly.
In verse 19,20 the word 'vimana' is exquisitely used to describe white coloured flying machines beings used by yakshas and apasaras,and it does not refer to "architectural vimana" because it is mentioned that they were being steered by people according to their wish.
Recently I came across a doha (small Poem) by famous Indian Saint Kabirdas (14th century AD).
Translation- The man steals (hoardes) a lot of things,and does donation equivalent to a pin,and still climbs up and sees how far is the airplane (which will come and take him to heaven,as if he has done a great job)
Comments- This is mostly a philosophical verse,but still the mention of Vimana as an aircraft is quiet evident in the verse,and shows that 14th Century Indians knew that a vimana is a flying machine
