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    We can estimate the progress in science and technology made by our ancestors, by looking at their sophisticated machinery and instruments; and by seeing the wondrous architectural marvels related to the science of ‘Vaastu’. Today one can just marvel at them. It might take centuries to understand the exact science behind their architecture.

We can understand from the ancient scriptures that the two foremost technologists and experts of science of Vaastu were ‘Tvashta’ and ‘Maya’. Tvashta otherwise known as Viswakarma was the scientist of the gods and was ever engrossed in creating phenomenal discoveries and inventions. Maya, on the other hand, was involved in helping the demons. All his inventions were targeted for helping the demons in their fight against the gods.

Viswakarma is known to be the architect of this entire creation.

Viswakarman namastestu viswaatman viswasambhava
– Mahabharat Shanti Parva 47/85

But he is more popularly known as the foremost preceptor and propagator of the ancient science of Vaastu. The third chapter of “Samaraangan Sootradhaar” by Raja Bhoj deals with the 60 questions posed by Jaya, the eldest son of Viswakarma and Sannivesh to their father pertaining to earth sciences and sculpture. It is said that those 60 questions contained the entire gamut of knowledge and secrets pertaining to all the methods, especially related to carving. Tvashta gave detailed answers to all those questions and thus he passed on his knowledge to his sons. At a later time, it was this Jaya who established a university of Vaastu and made this science available to one and all.

The suktas 81 and 82 of the 10th mandal of Rig Veda are known as Viswakarma Suktas. It is indeed astonishing fact that the seer and the one being praised in these suktas is Viswakarma himself. This is not the case with any other suktas. Viswakarma is described in Rig Veda (1/85/9) as a supreme expert, intellectual and a skilled architect and is especially known for his expertise in building divine weapons in a short duration of time. He is also the preceptor and teacher of painting/drawing, Vaastu and wall-painting. We can get an inkling of his greatness and expertise in science from a mantra in Rig Veda. It says – Vaashimeko bibharti hasta aayaseemantardeveshu nidhuvih. According to commentator, it means that there is a multi-purpose and multi-capable axe-like instrument by name “Ayomay Vashi” that he always used to carry in his hands. He used to fulfill the twin-purpose of vanquishing the enemy and also accomplish the editing of complete apara vidya. It is probably because of this expertise of hands that he has been given the title of ‘Supaani’.

‘Viswakarma Shilpashastra’ and ‘Mayamatam’ are two unsurpassable technical texts of this science. One has the description of Tvashta’s science of architecture while the other is about the discoveries by Maya. By reading these texts, one can understand the extent of subtle and high-level knowledge these pioneers possessed on material sciences. These two have constructed such instruments, machinery and vehicles that cannot be termed less than a miracle. One of such miraculous vehicle is Pushpak Vimaan (an aeroplane).

This aeroplane built with flowers and creepers was wonderful. The specialty of this plane was that it could expand or contract based on need. If necessary, this could become as small as to contain only one person or become big enough to accomodate an entire city. This was created by Viswakarma for Kuber on the orders of Brahma. Kuber was one of the wealthiest persons of those times and was the king of Gandharvas. His capital was Alakapuri situated near the source of river Alakananda. When eyes of Ravana fell on this exquisite flying object, he attacked Kuber’s kingdom and snatched away the Pushpak Vimaan. After Rama vanquished Ravana, Vibheeshan gave away this vimaan to Rama. After the war of Lanka, the entire army and retinue of Rama traveled in this aeroplane and reached Ayodhya. After using it for personal work for some time, Lord Rama returned it to Kuber.

This may appears as though the imagination of some writer has taken wings so as to describe such fanciful things. But scriptures have an account of various weapons which modern science is still struggling to accept even at the concept-level, let alone reproducing those wondrous weapons today. But it does not imply that all those miraculous contrivances mentioned in scriptures are mere imaginary things. If one was to travel 500 years back in time, it would be highly impossible to envisage the scientific gadgets present today. If some such person of the past were living today, he would find this scientific progress as a great wonder. That cannot however make us refuse the truth in front of our eyes. Some dilemma of this kind is applicable to the modern man in the context of ancient sciences. Modern man is neither in a position to accept the instruments of the past nor refuse their authenticity. This is a great dilemma. However, the progress of scientific research is sending forth indications that it is possible that there existed a period in the past that had the science and technology to build extraordinary and sophisticated instruments that are beyond the knowledge of present-day man.

In the past few years, America had constructed an aeroplane ‘Tomcat’ which resembled a pushpak vimaan, in the sense that it had the capability to expand or contract. It could become as small as a regular aeroplane with seats or become big enough to carry an entire city and be in air for months together. America has already created an aeroplane that can fly with solar energy and nuclear energy. The topic of inter-planetary shuttles has also become a thing of the past. Based on all these creations, it becomes credible that pushpak vimaan could have been a vehicle fueled by solar energy and plant consciousness. The oxygen supply and air-conditioning of that vehicle was taken care of by the plants and creepers of which it was built. The primary energy for flight could have been solar energy.

One more extraordinary machine created by Viswakarma was Lata yantra. This was used to bind enemies and criminals. There is a story in Vaman Puran that Viswakarma’s daughter Chitrangada loved King Surath and desired to marry him. Tvashta did not approve of this match. Chitrangada then approached Sage Rutadhvaj and poured down her woes and told him of her father’s wrath and requested him for a solution. Rutadhvaj was a great ascetic and had attained siddhi of speech. He cursed Viswakarma to become a monkey and live in the forest. It was probably the social penalty to leave the city and live in a forest for troubling one’s daughter. Viswakarma had to leave the city and take shelter in a forest. Viswakarma could not restrain himself from taking vengeance on this issue. He went and captured Rutadhvaj’s son Jaabali using the Lata Yantra. The young boy was left helpless in the clutches of trees and creepers. On hearing the pathos and crying, Rutadhvaj came running to help his son but could not do much as he did not have the relevant knowledge to counter the effect of Lata yantra. Finally, he went to king Ikshwaku who was ruling over that region and complained about Viswakarma. The king ordered that the creepers strangling the boy be cut, but this was in vain as the grip on the boy did not slacken at all. Rutadhvaj had to admit defeat and make truce. He put forth the proposal that in return to his son’s release, he will undo the curse on Viswakarma. Viswakarma readily agreed to this proposal. In this manner, both of them were able to come out of their respective troubles.

Research scientists are of the opinion that Tvashta must definitely have been extremely knowledgeable in botany. He must have been an expert in the practical knowledge about plants and their consciousness. He must also have mastered the science of convincing the consciousness of a plant to assume the responsibilities of life even after it had dried up. The culmination of such supreme knowledge was Lata Yantra. Modern science may call this nonsense but this however cannot change the truth.

In another legend, there is a description that the earth was not fit for life at the beginning of creation. The entire expanse of earth was filled with mountains in some places and deep pits elsewhere and water in some other places. Lord Brahma called King Prithu and gave him the responsibility of making it a place worth-living. He started smoothening out the earth with his immense courage and strength. He was causing intolerable pain to Mother Earth in this process. Also there was an inherent fear that he might spoil the natural shape and topography of the earth in this process. Mother Earth assumed the form of a cow and approached Lord Brahma. She complained that the king is resorting to highly tortuous and destructive means to do the job assigned by Brahma. Brahma too felt that the complaint was a valid one and started looking out for a knowledgeable person who could take care of the comfort and happiness of all creatures while maintaining environmental balance without disturbing the natural beauty of Earth. After some deliberations, his eyes fell on Tvashta. He was anyway the master of three states of matter (solid, liquid and gas) and also the preceptor of science of architecture. He could definitely be employed to make Earth suitable for living.  In the light of all these things, Brahma included him also into the plan. The combination of Prithu’s prowess and Viswakarma’s expertise created the ideal atmosphere for the Earth to contain life. Prithu was proceeding in the lines of milking and suction which included destructive methods. Tvashta resorted to considerate and wise plan of action. He advocated that there should be first construction, nourishment and then the step of milking (dohan). This was a blend of both their methods. In this process, care was taken on conserving the natural beauty of Earth while nourishing the life on it. That is why this method was note-worthy then, and is equally so now and will be so even in the future.

The 43rd chapter of the book “Maansaar” holds description of many chariots that moved with lightening speed. Anyone traveling on these chariots could reach their destination within no time. All these were designed by Viswakarma. He is the one who created the ‘Nandigosh’ – the chariot of Arjuna. It was a chariot endowed with various sophisticated gadgets. The tall flag pinned to the chariot functioned as both the transmitter and receiver. It was capable of receiving information from far ends of the battle-field and like-wise transmit orders and messages to various personnel in the army. In addition to all these, Tvashta had architected various cities and court-rooms. He had built Amaravati – the capital of Indra and his courtroom ‘Sudharma’. He is responsible for the entire design and architecture of Dwaraka and Sri Krishna’s courtroom. Viswakarma has also designed Dharmaraj’s Indraprastha and his courtroom. It was in this palace that Duryodhana mistook water for land and land for water and became the target of Draupadi’s taunting. While Viswakarma was the designer of all the weapons and artillery used by Pandavas in the Mahabharata war, asura’s architect Maya was the designer of all weapons used by Kauravas. ‘Akshay Patra’ and ‘Akshay Tuneer’ were also inventions of Viswakarma. While Akshay patra has the capability to provide sumptuous and unlimited food, Akshay Tuneer was a miraculous container in which there was never dearth for arrows. What could have been the technology that ensured that akshay patra was never empty? This is a topic for research. There would have definitely been a highly sophisticated technology of abundance behind the design of these gadgets about which we can only guesstimate. Vishnu’s Chakra, Shiva’s Trishul, Durga’s spear were also created by Tvashta. Kuber’s city of Lanka, situated on Mountain Trikoot, was also the creation of Viswakarma. Later when demon king Ravana captured this city, the architect Maya further enhanced it and made it more gratifying and transformed it into Ravan’s Lanka.

The other famous technologist of ancient times was Maya. He too was involved in designing architectural wonders and weapons. During the times of these two superior technologists, there were frequent wars between gods and demons. To obtain protection from their attacks, demons solicited special arrangements for their security from Maya. On the request of the demons, Maya sought advice from Lord Shiva and created three large satellites. These satellites were not small like Aryabhat, Rohini or INSAT. They were huge and extended to several miles and were architected for living as in a big city. They were called ‘Tripur’. These satellites were typically moving around in space but would come close to each other when needed. What sophisticated science and technology this must have required? Just like the space vehicles that join with each other and then separate out, these satellites devised by Maya were also of similar functionality. It was pre-determined that these satellites would meet one another in space when the star Pushya was active. The inmates of these three satellites would communicate with each other and share their ideas or hold discussions about the future war strategies etc. As long as these satellites were moving slowly in space, their security was completely assured. However, the possibility for destruction existed when these satellites interacted with each other because it was only during that time that their doors opened.

The revolution cycle of the satellites was 24 days. They were either moving around in space or traveling to other planets and stars. They would descend onto earth and loot the people and fly back safe into the space. On the 27th day, of the star of Pushya, these satellites would meet each other. It was then that there would be distribution of the wealth looted from earth. When the atrocities continued in this manner, people were immensely worried. Finally, Viswakarma was asked to shoulder the responsibility of destroying these creations of Maya. Viswakarma then created a chariot that could travel in space and hurl powerful and destructive arrows like a missile. After such a chariot was created, Lord Shiva was seated in it and was requested to hurl missiles and arrows when the gates of the satellites opened during the star of Pushya. The Lord did exactly like that for the welfare of the world and destroyed the satellites of Maya with his Trishul but managed to save the architect from death.

Small space-stations of America and Russia are moving in space even today. The scientists of both the countries conduct experiments and research in those space stations time and again. In the recent past, these two stations were able to meet one another successfully and the scientists of both the countries shared the results of their research. This goes to prove conclusively that the heights of science and technology we have reached today were scaled by our ancestors centuries before. In addition to being an expert in making gadgets and machinery, Maya was also a great architect. His style of constructing buildings has been described in great detail in the book “Mayashilpam”. He was the resident of what is known today as Mexico in Central America. The remnants of Mayan civilization obtained through excavations are available even today and the findings have left the elite flabbergasted. They fail to understand how such superior techniques and technology existed in those times. Maharshi Valmiki was greatly impressed by this expertise of Maya and has given eye-catching descriptions about his architectural wonders and construction skills in almost 50 chapters of Ramayana. Tulasi Das has moved few steps ahead and proclaimed that he is in loss of words to praise Maya and his skills.

The main city of Maya, situated in Mexico, is famous in ancient literature as ‘Bhogavatipuri’. This was created by Maya himself. ‘Saritsagar’ has wonderful description about the prosperity, beauty and opulence of Bhogavatipuri. There are references in which it is said that Maya settled in the Himalayas of Aryavarta after leaving Mexico. It is here that he created an exceptional city Hemapur in the name of his wife Hema. Hema had a close friend and associate called Svayamprabha. It has been known that Maya created a great mansion called ‘Rikshbil’ near Kishkinda for her. The cave of Rikshbil is found even today in Tamil Nadu. It is said that during the search of Sita, Svayamprabha routed Hanuman and his associates through this underground shortcut and made them reach the shores of the ocean near Lanka.

The main forte of Maya’s expertise is the utilization of water, electricity, light, wind and atomic energy. He is the first to have propounded the law of transformation of energy into matter in the form of “Maya Principle”. He is also believed to have advocated the solar principle.

Mayan civilization of Mexico in Central America was at its pinnacle of progress 1500 years ago. This civilization had its spread from Peru in South America to Ecuador. This is also known by the name “Inca Civilization” which was a branch of Mayan civilization. It is astonishing to find rock remnants weighing hundreds of tons from the buildings excavated from Mayan civilization. There is no trace of cement or any other binding material between two stones in their construction structures. This is a proof of their supreme technology. Remains of Mayan civilization exhibit special architecture in paving roads in mountain valleys, construction of bridges, and runways for airplanes. This goes to show the level of science and technology of Maya. It is relevant to clarify at this stage that the Mexican-Mayan civilization and Indian Mayan civilization were very similar. It will be appropriate to consider these two to be branches of the same civilization.

Modern science is standing on the vestiges of ancient science. It is easy to estimate the magnificence of a mansion from its relics. One can estimate the long-standing difficulties experienced by our ancestors to take science and technology to those starry heights. The investment of penance is the only basis for advancement.

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