ancient indian myths or futuristic invention ideas

Journal of Bharatiya Boudhik Sampada, Vol.42, July 2012

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Ancient Indian Myths or Futuristic Invention Ideas

A.S. Nene

Retired Professor of Civil Engineering, V.N.I.T. Nagpur

[email protected]

Abstract: The paper presents few futuristic invention ideas which are hidden in

ancient Indian texts and scriptures such as Veda, Purana, and Shilpsamhita etc.

Introduction: At present one can notice two groups of intellectuals. The first

group claims that all the present inventions were known to Indians and were

recorded in ancient Indian texts or scriptures. But the other group rejects this

claim and according to this group all such information is nothing but myths

without any scientific or technical background.

During compilation of information related Civil Engineering in ancient India,

many reference with futuristic invention potentials, were located. Only few such

references are presented in this paper.

Futuristic invention ideas: These ideas are grouped under three heads.

1- Related to Botany

§ Silver or Gold shining liquid for metals: Trees of Palash (Flame of

forest- Butea frondosa) are abundantly present in India. Flowering of

the trees occur in summer months around Holi festival. Ancient text

Aushadhikalplata mentions that “if juice of flowers, treated with sulfur,

when rubbed on copper metal surface, the surface shines as gold.

Similarly, decoction of mixture of flowers juice and Hartal is used to

make silver like lead metal (Ref. Pade, pp.213).

§ Herbal hair remover: Shami (Sprung tree - Prosopis spyicigers ) tree

seed are enclosed in 30 cm long beans. Ancient texts mention that “if a


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paste, of dry seed with milk, is applied on skin it acts as hair remover.

(Ref. Pade, pp 389).

§ Herbal Algaecide: Water treatment process involves removal of algae

from raw water. Ancient texts mention that “if a wooden block of

Jamun (Java Plum- Syzygium Cumini) tree is placed in raw water it

kills algae within 24 hours”. (Ref. Pade, pp 170). If this information is

found correct, inorganic algaecides can be replaced by organic one that

will have no effects on human health.

§ De-plasticizer: The main difference between floors of wheat and Jawar

is their plasticity. Jawar floor cannot be rolled to make chapattis.

Ancient texts mention that “if juice of cucumber is added to wheat

floor, it looses its plasticity. (Ref. Pade, pp 81). If such de-plasticizers

are developed, it would be a boon to agriculturists and civil engineers.

Damages due expansion and contraction of expansive soils (cracking

of building on Black cotton soils) can be controlled.

2- Related to Rock mechanics

The rock temples of south India are excellent examples of intricate carving. One

can see stone chains or moving stone earrings at such temples. Such intricate

carvings appear to be impossible, unless these stones were softened first and re-

hardened afterwards. Stone idols to be used for idol making must be intact and

free from micro-crack invisible to eyes.

§ Detection of defects in rocks

The stones, to be used for idol preparation were carefully inspected. Microscopic

defects, which are invisible to eyes, were detected by applying some herbal

paints so that the defects are clearly visible. Dye penetrate inspection (DPI), a

modern technique is used to detect micro cracks or other faults in metal casting.


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Shilparatna Ch. 14 and Varahsamhita describe an ancient procedure for

preparation of four herbal paints, and is given below.

§ Mix and grind equal parts of Ativish , Hirakas and Geru in milk, apply this

paint to stone and allow to dry overnight.

§ Mix and grind equal parts of Hirakas and Chor in milk and apply this

paint to stone and dry for three days.

§ Mix and grind equal parts of Jatamasi, Kusht, Gabha and Ratree in decoction

of Trifala, apply this paint to stone and dry for three days.

§ Mix and grind equal parts of Jatamasi, Rog and Ashwamari in rainwater

mixed with milk,

Apply one of above mentioned paint to stone and allow it to dry for three days. Such

paints were used to detect micro cracks or fissures.

§ ADAMANTINE GLUES

The subject of preparation of adamantine glue was closely connected with

construction of temples. A bonding agent was very essential for fixing idols or in

wall construction, when cement and other modern materials were unknown.

Even now, these glues were known as Astabandha, are prepared in temple

premises for fixing or re-fixing images of gods. Four such glues were described

in ancient texts. One formula or method is described below. Table [1] shows the

ingredients for adamantine glue.

Table 1- Ingredients

Sn Sanskrit English/ Latin 1 Tinduka Fruits of Diospyros paniculata 2 Kapittaka Feronia elephantum 3 Shalmali Flowers of silk cotton 4 Sallaki Seeds of Boswellia serrata 5 Dhanavana Barks of Orris root 6 Vacha Barks of Orris root


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7 Shrivasaka A tree resin used as incense 8 Raktabola Myrrh 9 Guggulu Commiphora roxburghii 10 Bhallataka Semecarpus anacardium 11 Kunduruka Deodar tree resin 12 Atasi Linum usikatissimum 13 Bilvaphal Fruits of Aegle marmelos

Ingredients (1-6) are boiled 256 parts of water until the decoction reduces to an

eighth of its original volume (i.e. 32 Parts).

The sediments were mixed with other substances (7-13). The resulting paste is

termed as adamantine glue. This glue is heated and then used in construction of

temples, mansions, walls and wells as well as fixing Siva’s emblems and idols of

gods. This mortar was expected to last for a million years.

3 - Related to soil stabilization

The stabilized soils were mainly used for adobe construction (mud walls, bricks,

pottery, plastering, and flooring).Such soils were also used for outer coats of

idols and other objects. Many references, from Vedic period (5000 BC) to 15th

century AD, about soil stabilization methods are available.

§ Natural soil plasticizers

Nowadays Concrete plasticizers are used to increase workability of a concrete.

Natural soil plasticizers were similarly used in ancient India to improve the

quality of soil to be used for different purposes. The functions of these natural

soil plasticizers were to,

• Increase the plasticity with the same water content

• Increase the water repellent property

• Increase the strength by increasing the density.

• Impart glazing to pottery products.

The various types of ancient plasticizers can be grouped as;


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• Herbal extracts -Decoction of certain herbs such as Trifala were used. Trifala is

mixture of equal quantity of dry powdered Aamla (Emblica officinalis) Hirda

(Teminalia chebula) and Behada (Teminalia Billerica) The decoction (or kwath) is

prepared by boiling the solution of Trifala in water, till the volume of liquid is

reduced to one-forth of its original volume. The solution is cooled before

application. (Ref. Shilpa Ratna)

• Fruit extracts- The pulp of certain Indian fruits, such as Wood apple (Kapittha-

Limonia acidissima), Holy tree (Bilwa-Aegle marmelos) Tendu (Tinduk-Dioscoreo

peniculata) etc is highly sticky. The pulp of such fruits is added tosoil and allowed

for maturation for a minimum period on 30 days and the mixture has to be

thoroughly kneaded frequently (once a day). Ref Aparajitpruccha .

• Barks of tress- Dry barks of certain milky trees, such Shrivruksha (Turpentine

tree) or Palash (Flame of forest tree-Butea frondosa) etc as are boiled in water to

prepare a decoction. Vastu Vidya Savyakhya, Ref.13

• Natural fibers - Natural fibers were added to soil. The fibers were obtained

from flowers and fruits of Shalmali (silk cotton tree), coir, jute, flax etc.

Sakaladhikar.

• Natural polymers - Various natural polymers used to be added to ancient

construction materials (mud, lime, mortars paints etc). These polymers were

green algae, moss, coconut water, cow-dung, pastes of black gram, Jaggaery

solution etc. Tantrasamuchhyaya

§ Brick making

Yajur Veda, Chapter 13 mentions a name of Sage Medhatithi as a designer of

bricks (Eshtika) which were used to construct Yajna Kund (sacrificial fire tank).

Yajurvedsamhita mentions about method of preparation bricks and a special type

of pot (Ukha). The soil was stabilized by adding hairs of goat, fine sand, iron slag


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and stone dust. This soil is used for making square bricks. More details are

available in Ref.16 (Kulkarni, R.P.)

§ Adobe floors

Floors made from poured and toweled mud, are softer and warmer to the touch

than tiles or cement, and carry the rich colors of natural earth. Various additives

have been tested to make adobe floors easy to create and maintain. One additive

is made from psyllium hulls, or commonly known as Isabgol. This additive makes

the mud easy to work and acts as a binder when the floor dries. It reduces

cracking and increases strength.

Case Studies

Two case studies are presented to explain ancient stabilization methods.

A. Gadhi soils: These are special types artificially stabilized soil. Such soils were

mainly used for construction of Gadhis or Havelis of rich persons. Such Gadhis ill

exist in many parts of Maharashtra (India). The soils from such abandoned

building are now commonly used by poor persons for mud plastering. Such soils

possess some thixotropic properties and impart great strength on drying. The

constituents and procedures of preparations were secrets till recent times. The

main constituents of Gadhi soil are local soil, fine sand, cow dung, lime, extracts

of Belphal (Holy tree fruit-Aegle marmelos), fibers of jute and water for mixing.

The mixture is allowed to mature for a minimum period of 30 days and kneaded

everyday. If a clay ball of prepared soil does not does not disintegrate when

immersed in water, then the procedure is considered successful. Recent at Latur

earthquake showed that houses constructed with Gadhi soils were more earthquake

resistant.

B. Mud flooring. : The Padmanabhapurum palace in Kerala was constructed

around 1601 A.D by Kulasekhara Perumal. It has unique flooring. The black

lustrous floors of the palace are still so shiny that one can see one’s reflection in


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them. But it is not the glitter of mosaic, granite or marble. The floors were made

of a material that is unique blend of burnt coconut shells, lime, palm toddy, the

whites of eggs and crushed extracts of certain barks of trees and nuts. Modern

engineers and artisans are still unable to replicate the flooring.

CONCLUSIONS

From the review of ancient Indian literature presented herein, it can be

concluded that,

1. All information available in Ancient Indian texts and scriptures contain many

hidden futuristic ideas. Such ideas should be verified with modern research

methodology and experimentations.

2. Many of the ancient Indian techniques may not be relevant as modern

methods and materials are more cost effective. But one must appreciate the

ancient Indian knowledge which was centauries ahead of that available in rest of

the world.

3. Kautilya (350 B.C - 283 B.C) has advised that "One should review the past with

modern perspective-Naven Anaamn Shodhayet". Hence there is a need to preserve

this treasure of ancient Indian traditions.

REFERENCES

1. Aparajitprichha- (12th to 13th Century A.D.), Bhuvana Dev Acharya,

Gaikwad Oriental Series ~No. 65 (51.28).

2. Kulkarni, R.P (1973), "Bharatiya Shilpa Sastra aur mitti ka sthirikaran", Journal

of Institution of Engineers Hindi section, Vol .53.

3. Manasollas -1113 AD text, edited by Shri G K Shrigondekar, Published by

Gaikkwad Oriental Series No. 28, Baroda

4. Pade S.D. (1973), “Vanoushadhi Gunadarsh “ , Marathi book, Pub. Rajesh

Prakashan, Pune.


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5. Sakaladhikar, - Ed by V.G. Iyengar, Published by Saraswati Mahal Library,

(1973), Thanjavur. TSM Series No. 141

6. Shilpratna-(16th Century, A.D.), Shrikumar, Gaikwad, Oriental Series 23

Baroda.

7. Tantrasamuchhyaya-(1428 A.D.) Anantha Shayana Sanskrit Series No. 151

8. Varahsamhita- Brihatsamhita (5000 BC) Pub. By Khemraj Shrikrishnadas,

Bombay (1945).

9. Vastu Vidya Savyakhya - Pub. By Trivendrum Sanskrit Series No. 142,

Trivendrum.

10. Yajurved Samhita (B.C.2500), Published by M/s Khemraja Krishnadas New

Delhi.

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ancient indian myths or futuristic invention ideas

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