Aircraft or ‘Vimana’: unique technique or myth in Indian Mythology?

                             Evolution of travel in Indian culture 

                                Article by:- Jyotsana Chaudhary

Ancient India is well known to be the land of philosophy and religion but some ancient literary texts and sources derive our attention towards the popular concept of traveling in a flying machine mentioned as ‘vimana’ in ancient India much before the invention of the airplane by the Wright brothers. The mentioning of aeronautical concepts in ancient texts suggests that India was also enriched with science and technology. 

Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Great epics emphasis on the use of flying chariots or vimanas. Since childhood, specifically in Indian cultural tradition, we came across the use of spaceships by Gods and demons. In Ramayana, Pushpak vimana which once belonged to kuber was stolen by his brother Ravana who used it to kidnap Sita. the Pushpak vimana, a gigantic plane of large size which had a capability of holding unlimited passengers and was constructed by Vishvakarma on the orders of Brahma who gifted it to kuber, wealthiest king of Yakshas. In Mahabharata also, flying chariots were powered by lightning and possessed a capability of flying long distances in the solar system. Demon king Salva once used it to attack Dwarka whose references are also seen in Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta.

The term ‘vimana’ is a Sanskrit originated term which has diverse meanings where it has been used to denote the ‘long towers of temples’, ‘palaces’ and most importantly ‘flying machine’. The references of vimanas as flying palaces or chariots have been noticed in the two great epics; Ramayana and Mahabharata where they were extensively used for traveling long distances and for fighting the battles. Matsya Purana, one and the oldest preserved among the 18 Puranas also indicates the use of a flying machine from which three flying cities were made and used by the demons.  The vedas also noted the various shapes and configurations of vimanas where ‘fire chariot’ with 2 engines, ‘elephant chariots’ , ‘Surya god’s radiant chariot’ used by him to travel from East to West has been highlighted.

However, Bharadvaja’s Vaimanikasastra, part of yantra sarvasva or Brihad Vimana Shastra is a renowned and relevant text among the other canonicals. This text has 100 sections, 8 chapters, 500 principles and 3000 shlokas where explanations about construction of aircraft and way to fly it have been elaborated. The first principle defines an aircraft- ‘vegasamyat vimana andajanama’ which means vimana which can fly in air like a bird. 

Further, sources cited that the vimanas were operated through mechanical, spiritual and tantric power. These operating methods were categorized according to the yugas as for ‘krta yuga’ it worked through ast siddhi which has been highlighted in yoga shastra of Patanjali describing the attainment of siddhis or special powers to levitate in air or travel; ‘treta yuga’ it worked with the help of mantrika or power of hymns; in ‘dwapar yuga’ it functioned through tantrika. 

In recent times, D. Hatcher Childress, the author of Anti-Gravity Handbook mentions ancient indian aircraft technique where references have been made from ancient texts about the use of flying machines where vimana is described as a double decker, circular aircraft with portholes and a dome like flying saucer. Also, references in temple carvings such as Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Ellora caves and most significantly Ganesha Ratha, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu have been compared to the modern rocket. 

Nevertheless, apart from literary sources and some carvings, the archaeologists and historians remained unsuccessful in deciphering the presence of aeronautical techniques in ancient Indian history. Most of the references are only about people using simple methods of traveling either by foot or by using animals such as horses, elephants, camels and asses. The excavated remains also indicate that bullock carts, boats and ships were used to travel long distances or for conveyance.  And some scholars find the description of vimanas in literature to be mythical.