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Yantra (Samskrit: यन्त्रम्) refers to contrivances or instruments developed using the fundamental knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, physics, agriculture among other shastras for enabling ease of activities in daily lives. Enormous scientific marvels of modern day mechanical interventions and development of instruments and appliances in the past few centuries, may lead to a misplaced conclusion that sciences have only developed in the recent few centuries.   

Yantra (Samskrit: यन्त्रम्) refers to contrivances or instruments developed using the fundamental knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, agriculture etc., for enabling ease of activities in daily lives. Enormous scientific marvels of modern day mechanical interventions and development of instruments and appliances in the past few centuries, may lead to a misplaced conclusion that sciences have only developed in the recent few centuries.   

The discovery of ancient manuscripts and the advance of research have both brought to light no insignificant amount of ancient Indian activity in the fields of positive aspects of life, of subjects of practical interest and scientific value, which reveal a holistic intellectual advancement in Bharat bringing about outstanding contributions in the fields of ganita, jyotisha, medicine, agriculture. It is these earlier experiments that have been the forerunners of the recent advancements in the field of science and technology, many of which continue to exist as the foundational principles of modern day appliances and technical advancements.<ref name=":1">Raghavan, V. (1952) ''Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in  Ancient India''. Bangalore: The Indian Institute of Culture</ref>

The discovery of ancient manuscripts and the advance of research have both brought to light no insignificant amount of ancient Indian activity in the fields of positive aspects of life, of subjects of practical interest and scientific value, which reveal a holistic intellectual advancement in Bharat bringing about outstanding contributions in the fields of [[Ganita Shastra (गणितशास्त्रम्)|ganita]], [[Jyotisha (ज्योतिष)|jyotisha]], [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|ayurveda]], agriculture. It is these earlier experiments that have been the forerunners of the recent advancements in the field of science and technology, many of which continue to exist as the foundational principles of modern day appliances and technical advancements.<ref name=":1">Raghavan, V. (1952) ''Yantras or Mechanical Contrivances in  Ancient India''. Bangalore: The Indian Institute of Culture</ref>

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Some very simple yantras are commonly known: the water-pulley in the well was called ''Ghatiyantra ;'' an oil-presser was ''Taila-yantra (तैलयन्त्रम्);'' wooden contrivances for pounding rice was ''kuttakayantra (कुट्टकयन्त्रम्);'' a cane-presser was ''Ikshu-yantra;'' ploughs, water-lifts and even weighing balances were referred to as yantras (Arthashastra 2.19<ref>Shamasastry. R, (1915) ''Kautilya's Arthashastra, Translation into English''. Bangalore: The Government Press</ref>). Complex yantras were used in warfare, astronomy and vimanas (aerial cars).

Some very simple yantras are commonly known: the water-pulley in the well was called ''Ghatiyantra ;'' an oil-presser was ''Taila-yantra (तैलयन्त्रम्);'' wooden contrivances for pounding rice was ''kuttakayantra (कुट्टकयन्त्रम्);'' a cane-presser was ''Ikshu-yantra;'' ploughs, water-lifts and even weighing balances were referred to as yantras (Arthashastra 2.19<ref>Shamasastry. R, (1915) ''Kautilya's Arthashastra, Translation into English''. Bangalore: The Government Press</ref>). Complex yantras were used in warfare, astronomy and vimanas (aerial cars).

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The word yantra is derived from the dhatu यम् 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<blockquote>यदृच्छया प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वेन वर्त्मना। नियम्यास्मिन् नयति यत्तद्यन्त्रमिति कीर्तितम् ॥३ (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)<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 (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)</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" />

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<blockquote>यदृच्छया प्रवृत्तानि भूतानि स्वेन वर्त्मना। नियम्यास्मिन् नयति यत्तद्यन्त्रमिति कीर्तितम् ॥३ (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)<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 (Sama. Sutra. 31.4)</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" />

Here we allude to another usage of the word 'yantra'. Ayurveda makes use of the word 'tantra' in the sense of 'body' and 'yantra' in the sense of its machinery. Yantra also 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 externalisations 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>

Here we allude to another usage of the word 'yantra'. Ayurveda makes use of the word 'tantra' in the sense of 'body' and 'yantra' in the sense of its machinery. Yantra also 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 externalisations 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 and aims 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, Warfare.  

However, the present article pertains to the yantras as mechanical contrivances and aims 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, Warfare, and Ayurveda.  

== Constituent elements of Yantra ==

== Constituent elements of Yantra ==

== Classification of Yantras ==

== Classification of Yantras ==

According to different texts we find various versions of the classification of yantras.

According to different texts we find various versions of the classification of yantras. Bhojadeva in Samarangana Sutradhara classifies yantra mainly into three categories based on their characteristics. They are:<blockquote>स्वयंवाहकमेकं स्यात्सकृत्प्रेर्यं तथापरम्। अन्यदन्तरितवाह्यं वाह्यमन्यत् त्वदूरतः ॥१० (Sama. Sutr. 31.10)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

 

Bhojadeva in Samarangana Sutradhara classifies yantra mainly into three categories based on their characteristics. They are:<blockquote>स्वयंवाहकमेकं स्यात्सकृत्प्रेर्यं तथापरम्। अन्यदन्तरितवाह्यं वाह्यमन्यत् त्वदूरतः ॥१० (Sama. Sutr. 31.10)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

* '''स्वयंवाहकम् ॥ Svayamvahakam''' - That which is automatic and sakrt-prerakam (that which requires occasional propelling)  

* '''स्वयंवाहकम् ॥ Svayamvahakam''' - That which is automatic and sakrt-prerakam (that which requires occasional propelling)  

Bhattasvamin quotes a shloka on yantras in general as of three kinds, Vyadhita, Bhrdmita and Bharayukta: the first acts by being pressed, the second by rotation and the third by its sheer weight.

Bhattasvamin quotes a shloka on yantras in general as of three kinds, Vyadhita, Bhrdmita and Bharayukta: the first acts by being pressed, the second by rotation and the third by its sheer weight.

Samarangana Sutradhara by Bhojadeva is an eighty three chapter treatise which deals with town planning, house architecture, temple architecture, various sculptural subjects, canons of paintings, devotes a big chapter called Yantravidhanam (यन्त्रविधानम्) on art of mechanical contrivances, the yantras. Chapter thirty one of this book specializes in mechanical contrivances and yantras, including those with construction of vimanas or aerial cars.<ref name=":0">Shruti. K. R., and Dr. Rajani Jairam. ''Mechanical Contrivances and Daru Vimanas described in Samarangana Sutradhara of Bhojadeva,'' IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 12, Ver. V (Dec. 2015) PP 16-20

Samarangana Sutradhara by Bhojadeva is an eighty three chapter treatise which deals with town planning, house architecture, temple architecture, various sculptural subjects, canons of paintings, devotes a big chapter called Yantravidhanam (यन्त्रविधानम्) on art of mechanical contrivances, the yantras. Chapter thirty one of this book specializes in mechanical contrivances and yantras, including those with construction of vimanas or aerial cars.<ref name=":0">Shruti. K. R., and Dr. Rajani Jairam. ''Mechanical Contrivances and Daru Vimanas described in Samarangana Sutradhara of Bhojadeva,'' IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 12, Ver. V (Dec. 2015) PP 16-20

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== Yantras for Warfare ==

== Yantras for Warfare ==

Yantras for actual warfare are general)}' touched upon in several contexts : II.3 and 18 mention the need to equip forts with yantras. In X. 4, yantras on the field are said to be attended to by special labourers and workers. In IX.2, Kautilya deals with counter-manceuvres for tackling particular kinds of enemy forces; here, among the things to be used against elephants yantras or probably ''Hasti-yantras'' are included; these are machines in general or special machines designed to scare elephants; Bhoja, in his ''Samaranganasutradhdra,'' mentions that one of the uses of the aerial vehicle is to create a terrific noise and frighten elephants. In XIII.4, Kautilya advocates the use of yantras for devastating an enemy place which is full of defence-erections.

Yantras for actual warfare are in general touched upon in several contexts : II.3 and 18 mention the need to equip forts with yantras. In X. 4, yantras on the field are said to be attended to by special labourers and workers. In IX.2, Kautilya deals with counter-maneuvers for tackling particular kinds of enemy forces; here, among the things to be used against elephants yantras or probably ''Hasti-yantras'' are included; these are machines in general or special machines designed to scare elephants; Bhoja, in his ''Samaranganasutradhdra,'' mentions that one of the uses of the aerial vehicle is to create a terrific noise and frighten elephants. In XIII.4, Kautilya advocates the use of yantras for devastating an enemy place which is full of defence-erections.

The chapter devoted wholly to armoury, ''Ayudhdgara, 11.1S,'' is the main section speaking of military yantras.   

The chapter devoted wholly to armoury, ''Ayudhdgara, 11.1S,'' is the main section speaking of military yantras.