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Yantra is a term having quite a few etymological connections and explanations as apparent from various works.  

Yantra is a term having quite a few etymological connections and explanations as apparent from various works.  

* Apte<ref>https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/apte_query.py?qs=yantr&matchtype=default</ref> gives the root यन्त्र् (''yantr'') that which restrains or fastens, any prop or support, a stay; A fetter, band, fastening, tie, thong, rein; A surgical instrument...

* '''Apte'''<ref>https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/apte_query.py?qs=yantr&matchtype=default</ref> gives the root यन्त्र् (''yantr'') that which restrains or fastens, any prop or support, a stay; A fetter, band, fastening, tie, thong, rein; A surgical instrument...

* Vachaspatyam and Dhatu Sagara taranih mention that yantra is connected to the root यत्रि <ref name=":4">https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?search=yantr</ref>(''yatri'') used in the sense 'to curb, to check.'

* '''Vachaspatyam''' and Dhatu Sagara taranih mention that yantra is connected to the root यत्रि <ref name=":4">https://ashtadhyayi.com/kosha?search=yantr</ref>(''yatri'') used in the sense 'to curb, to check.'

* Shabdakalpadhruma mentions the root as यम (''yam'') used in the similar sense as given in Vachaspatyam.<ref name=":4" />  

* '''Shabdakalpadhruma''' mentions the root as यम (''yam'') used in the similar sense as given in Vachaspatyam.<ref name=":4" />

* The word yantra is derived from the dhatu यम् (''yam'') used in the sense "to control", and has been freely used in ancient India for any contrivance or machine. In Samarangana Sutradhara, Maharaja Bhojadeva defines Yantra as follows<ref name=":3" />

* The word yantra is derived from the dhatu यम् (''yam'') used in the sense "to control", and has been freely used in ancient India for any contrivance or machine. In '''Samarangana Sutradhara''', Maharaja Bhojadeva defines Yantra as follows<ref name=":3" />

<blockquote>यदृच्छया प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वेन वर्त्मना। नियम्यास्मिन् नयति यत्तद्यन्त्रमिति कीर्तितम् ॥३ yadr̥cchayā pravr̥ttāni bhūtāni svēna vartmanā| niyamyāsmin nayati yattadyantramiti kīrtitam ||3 (Sama. Sutra. 31.3)<ref name=":2">Raja Bhojadeva's Samarangana Sutradhara ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 31])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>स्वरसेन प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वमनीषया। कृतं यस्माद्यमयति तद्वा यन्त्रमिति स्मृतम् ॥४ svarasēna pravr̥ttāni bhūtāni svamanīṣayā| kr̥taṁ yasmādyamayati tadvā yantramiti smr̥tam ||4 (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)<ref name=":2" />

<blockquote>यदृच्छया प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वेन वर्त्मना। नियम्यास्मिन् नयति यत्तद्यन्त्रमिति कीर्तितम् ॥३ yadr̥cchayā pravr̥ttāni bhūtāni svēna vartmanā| niyamyāsmin nayati yattadyantramiti kīrtitam ||3 (Sama. Sutra. 31.3)<ref name=":2">Raja Bhojadeva's Samarangana Sutradhara ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%A7 Adhyaya 31])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>स्वरसेन प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वमनीषया। कृतं यस्माद्यमयति तद्वा यन्त्रमिति स्मृतम् ॥४ svarasēna pravr̥ttāni bhūtāni svamanīṣayā| kr̥taṁ yasmādyamayati tadvā yantramiti smr̥tam ||4 (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)<ref name=":2" />

Dr. V.R. Raghavan in his article “Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India” describes that yantra is so called because it controls and directs according to a plan, the motions of things that act each according to its own nature.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, Yantra usually means '''any appliance or apparatus, contrivance, or device, engine or machine, implement or instrument''' in general. Depending on the context, it may specifically denote an object of any or the above type in different areas of Indian Sciences in a broad sense.<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>

Dr. V.R. Raghavan in his article “Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in Ancient India” describes that yantra is so called because it controls and directs according to a plan, the motions of things that act each according to its own nature.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, Yantra usually means '''any appliance or apparatus, contrivance, or device, engine or machine, implement or instrument''' in general. Depending on the context, it may specifically denote an object of any or the above type in different areas of Indian Sciences in a broad sense.<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>

* [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] makes use of the word 'tantra' in the sense of 'body' and 'yantra' in the sense of its machinery. In traditional [[Rasayana Shastra (रसायनशास्त्रम्)|Rasayana shastra]], different types of apparatus used in the processing of medicines (aushadhis) and [[Mercury or Parada (पारद)|mercury]] and other preparations (rasas) were called yantras. Rasatarangini mentions<ref>Shastri K, editor. ''Rasatarangini of Sadananda Sharma,'' 8th Taranga, 8th ed. Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; 2012. p. 41- 71</ref><ref>Sekhar Reddy, P. ''A textbook of Rasashastra''. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia (pp.35)</ref><blockquote>रसोपरसलोहाद्यः मारणद्यर्थसिद्धये । यन्त्र्यतेऽनेन यस्मात्तु तस्माद् यन्त्रं प्रकीर्तितम्॥ rasōparasalōhādyaḥ māraṇadyarthasiddhayē | yantryatē’nēna yasmāttu tasmād yantraṁ prakīrtitam|| (Rasa. Tara. 4.1)</blockquote>Yantras are apparatuses used for the shodhana, marana, swedana etc purposes of rasa, uparasa, lohadis.

* [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] makes use of the word 'tantra' in the sense of 'body' and 'yantra' in the sense of its machinery. In traditional [[Rasayana Shastra (रसायनशास्त्रम्)|Rasayana shastra]], different types of apparatus used in the processing of medicines (aushadhis) and [[Mercury or Parada (पारद)|mercury]] and other preparations (rasas) were called yantras. Rasatarangini mentions<ref>Shastri K, editor. ''Rasatarangini of Sadananda Sharma,'' 8th Taranga, 8th ed. Varanasi: Motilal Banarasidas; 2012. p. 41- 71</ref><ref>Sekhar Reddy, P. ''A textbook of Rasashastra''. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia (pp.35)</ref><blockquote>रसोपरसलोहाद्यः मारणद्यर्थसिद्धये । यन्त्र्यतेऽनेन यस्मात्तु तस्माद् यन्त्रं प्रकीर्तितम्॥ rasōparasalōhādyaḥ māraṇadyarthasiddhayē | yantryatē’nēna yasmāttu tasmād yantraṁ prakīrtitam|| (Rasa. Tara. 4.1)</blockquote>Yantras are apparatuses used for the shodhana, marana, swedana etc purposes of rasa, uparasa, lohadis.

* In '''Ganita-Jyotisha''' (mathematical astronomy) the [[Astronomical instruments (खगोलीय उपकरण)|astronomical instruments]] have been called as yantras.  

* In '''Ganita-Jyotisha''' (mathematical astronomy) the [[Astronomical instruments (खगोलीय उपकरण)|astronomical instruments]] have been called as yantras.  

* Yantra is used to refer to a geometrical pattern, a synthesis of lines and 'beeja aksharas' or 'seed letters', a total representation mentioned widely in Tantra shastra. Tantra technically is a process of relating the unusual patterns (yantra) with uncommon formulae (mantra). Basic to both these patterns and formulae is the belief that the human body is the ground where they operate. Yantras are merely extensions or externalizations of the forces purported as working within the individual; and Mantras are in the nature of  formalisations of the vibrations occurring within. A few largely used yantras  mostly for protection, health and warding off evil include those such as Vishahara yantra for snake bite, Rogahara yantra for curing consumptive ailments, Svarnabhairava yantra used in Alchemy, Kartavirya yantra for recovering lost property etc.<ref>Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao. (1979) ''Tantra Mantra Yantra, The Tantra Psychology.'' New Delhi: Arnold Heinemann</ref>  

* In '''Tantra shastra''', Yantra is used to refer to a geometrical pattern, a synthesis of lines and 'beeja aksharas' or 'seed letters'. Tantra technically is a process of relating the unusual patterns (yantra) with uncommon formulae (mantra). Basic to both these patterns and formulae is the belief that the human body is the ground where they operate. Yantras are merely extensions or externalizations of the forces purported as working within the individual; and Mantras are in the nature of  formalisations of the vibrations occurring within. A few largely used yantras  mostly for protection, health and warding off evil include those such as Vishahara yantra for snake bite, Rogahara yantra for curing consumptive ailments, Svarnabhairava yantra used in Alchemy, Kartavirya yantra for recovering lost property etc.<ref>Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao. (1979) ''Tantra Mantra Yantra, The Tantra Psychology.'' New Delhi: Arnold Heinemann</ref>

However, the present article pertains to the yantras as mechanical contrivances, instruments and apparatuses with an aim to bring out the scientific aspects in the field of mechanical and physical sciences, the knowledge of which shastras were well developed and widely used in fields such as Agriculture, Mathematics, Warfare, and Ayurveda.  

However, the present article pertains to the yantras as mechanical contrivances, instruments and apparatuses with an aim to bring out the scientific aspects in the field of mechanical and physical sciences, the knowledge of which shastras were well developed and widely used in fields such as Agriculture, Mathematics, Warfare, and Ayurveda.  

== Yantras in Ancient Literature ==

== Yantras in Ancient Literature ==

=== Vedas ===

=== Vedas ===

Wheel was an instrument that found mention in early Vedic literature.  

 

 

Thus, wheel was an important yantra that found mention in early Vedic literature.

=== Ramayana ===

=== Ramayana ===

Interesting references are made by Valmlki to yantras on the field of battle, the continuity of which tradition we see later in the ''Arthashastra'' of Kautilya. In Valmiki Ramayana we see the use of yantras for warfare and protection.<blockquote>कच्चित् सर्वाणि दुर्गाणि धन धान्य आयुध उदकैः | '''यन्त्रैः''' च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पि धनुर्धरैः || २-१००-५३ (Rama. Ayod. Kand. 2.11.53)</blockquote>While enquiring about measures of defence, Rama asks Bharata whether the forts are equipped with money, grains, weapons, water and yantras as well as shilpikars and archers.  

Interesting references are made by Valmlki to yantras on the field of battle, the continuity of which tradition we see later in the ''Arthashastra'' of Kautilya. In Valmiki Ramayana we see the use of yantras for warfare and protection.<blockquote>कच्चित् सर्वाणि दुर्गाणि धन धान्य आयुध उदकैः | '''यन्त्रैः''' च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पि धनुर्धरैः || २-१००-५३ (Rama. Ayod. Kand. 2.11.53)</blockquote>While enquiring about measures of defence, Rama asks Bharata whether the forts are equipped with money, grains, weapons, water and yantras as well as shilpikars and archers.

 

Lanka, as a city built by Maya, is naturally more full of the yantras. The city, personified as a lady, has ''yantra-agara-stani,'' special chamber filled with yantras (as the breast) in Sundarakanda as follows<blockquote>ताम् रत्न वसन उपेताम् कोष्ठ आगार अवतंसकाम् | यन्त्र अगार स्तनीम् ऋद्धाम् प्रमदाम् इव भूषिताम् || ५-३-१८ (Rama. Sund. Kand. 5.3.18)</blockquote>Hanuman looked at the city of the demon king, whose darkness was dispelled by bright gems and mighty mansions as if it were a young maiden. The prosperous city was like a well decorated woman, adorned with ornaments having walls for her dress, the stables for her earrings, the armouries for her breasts.<ref>Valmiki Ramayana from [https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=3 Gitasupersite]</ref>

Lanka, as a city built by Maya, is naturally more full of the yantras. The city, personified as a lady, has ''yantra-agara-stani,'' special chamber filled with yantras (as the breast) in Sundarakanda as follows<blockquote>ताम् रत्न वसन उपेताम् कोष्ठ आगार अवतंसकाम् | यन्त्र अगार स्तनीम् ऋद्धाम् प्रमदाम् इव भूषिताम् || ५-३-१८ (Rama. Sund. Kand. 5.3.18)</blockquote>Hanuman looked at the city of the demon king, whose darkness was dispelled by bright gems and mighty mansions as if it were a young maiden. The prosperous city was like a well decorated woman, adorned with ornaments having walls for her dress, the stables for her earrings, the armouries for her breasts.<ref>Valmiki Ramayana from [https://www.valmiki.iitk.ac.in/sloka?field_kanda_tid=5&language=dv&field_sarga_value=3 Gitasupersite]</ref>

In his account to Rama of the fortifications of Lanka, Hanuman in Yuddhakanda, describes that Lanka has four big gates and that each gate is furnished with strong and huge yantras that can hurl both arrows and stones (''Upala-yantras):''<blockquote>तत्रेषूपयन्त्राणि बलवन्ति महान्ति च | आगतम् पर सैन्यम् तैस् तत्र प्रतिनिवार्यते || ६-३-१२ (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.3.12)</blockquote><blockquote>द्वारेषु तासाम् चत्वारः सम्क्रमाः परम आयताः | यन्त्रैर् उपेता बहुभिर् महद्भिर् दृढ संधिभिः || ६-३-१६ (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.3.16)</blockquote>And over the moats are extensive draw-bridges which are controlled by numerous big yantras. Against the approach of the enemy forces there, the draw-bridges are protected by the aforesaid engines and the enemy-battalions are flung into the moats on every side. That such yantras were employed on the field is seen in a description of Kumbhakarna, where his giant figure striding the streets of Lanka is compared to a huge yantra that has been set up to kill the vanaras.  <blockquote>उच्यन्ताम् वानराः सर्वे यन्त्रमेतत्समुच्छ्रितम् | (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.61.33)</blockquote>Thus there are many instances in Ramayana where yantras were greatly used in warfare and the technology was very advanced.  

In his account to Rama of the fortifications of Lanka, Hanuman in Yuddhakanda, describes that Lanka has four big gates and that each gate is furnished with strong and huge yantras that can hurl both arrows and stones (''Upala-yantras):''<blockquote>तत्रेषूपयन्त्राणि बलवन्ति महान्ति च | आगतम् पर सैन्यम् तैस् तत्र प्रतिनिवार्यते || ६-३-१२ (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.3.12)</blockquote><blockquote>द्वारेषु तासाम् चत्वारः सम्क्रमाः परम आयताः | यन्त्रैर् उपेता बहुभिर् महद्भिर् दृढ संधिभिः || ६-३-१६ (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.3.16)</blockquote>And over the moats are extensive draw-bridges which are controlled by numerous big yantras. Against the approach of the enemy forces there, the draw-bridges are protected by the aforesaid engines and the enemy-battalions are flung into the moats on every side. That such yantras were employed on the field is seen in a description of Kumbhakarna, where his giant figure striding the streets of Lanka is compared to a huge yantra that has been set up to kill the vanaras.  <blockquote>उच्यन्ताम् वानराः सर्वे यन्त्रमेतत्समुच्छ्रितम् | (Rama. Yudd. Kand. 6.61.33)</blockquote>Thus there are many instances in Ramayana where yantras were greatly used in warfare and the technology was very advanced.  

=== Arthashastra ===

=== Arthashastra ===