Recently P. N. Rangan, known to Kannada readers as “Manu” (of Mahasamparka fame), sent me a copy of the book dealing with the technology of aircraft titled Vaimanika Prakarana written by Sage Bharadwaja. This is a highly technical work and editing it is not easy and hence only a competent automobile engineer like Rangan could edit it with the help of a scholar Sri Brahmamuni Parivrajaka.

For the present study, the learned author has taken only 32 rules formulated by Bharadwaja. This present note is based on this work and interested readers may refer to it (Thirty Two Secrets, Vimal Books, New Delhi - 87).

Bharadwaja is a celebrated sage of the Vedic period but his date is not certain. There were at least five sages with the name Bharadwaja and hence it is difficult to decide which Bharadwaja was the author of this book. The book titled Vaimanika Prakarana (science of aircraft) contains several chapters, sub - chapters and 500 formulae.

Science of aircraft:
What is surprising is the reference to earlier works like Vimana Chandrika, Yanabindu Yatrakalpa, etc., dealing with the science of aircraft. The airplane is referred to as Vimana; pilot is called vyomayana adhikari; wind - force is called vatasakti. Linka is the measure of temperature (1 Linka = 21. 2oC). Tripura Vimana is a vehicle capable of moving on land, water and in air. Bharadwaja refers not only to airplane but also fighter aircrafts capable of destroying enemy planes.

Before dealing with the aircraft described by Bharadwaja, it may be mentioned that Rigveda contains many references to Vimana (aircraft) used by various Gods in accomplishing many feats. Unfortunately, technical details are not mentioned and hence many people think them to be imaginative descriptions. That is a different story.

Mechanics of flying:
Now, we may refer to Bharadwaja's treatise. The pilot should know the mechanics, fabrication required for the aircraft. The pilot should clearly know that he has to fly in different environs of the earth and also beyond earth's gravitational force. Hence he is advised to bring the aircraft to a halt in mid - air to avoid destruction. He refers to wind - force as an important component while flying.

Deceiving the enemy:
There is a technique by which a mirage of an aircraft is created by using a mirror to escape from the enemy attack. More interesting is another technique by which the pilot can make his aircraft disappear and deceive the enemy. The sage Bharadwaja has prescribed a method, which we now call cloud seeding, and the aircraft is used in this. While referring to the technology, he described power generation (Rohini Vidyut) which has been treated as equal to electromagnetic radiation which is used in Radar equipment. He also discusses a technique by which the aircraft is made to look like various animals and objects to deceive the enemy. He also refers to oil which may be fuel or lubricant.

There are two different techniques by which the aircraft can be made to glow like the sun and also hide in darkness. By pressing two different buttons these two illusions can be created. If required, the burnt gas is made to pass through five conduits so that an illusion of a holocaust can be created. When enemy comes closer, Bharadwaja advocates the use of fireballs against the enemy aircraft. This is something like a bomb of the present day. Poisonous gases should be stored in the aircraft and in case the enemy aircraft comes closer, the pilot should let off these gasses against the enemy. In case enemy comes very close, the sage suggests a secret operation by which a mega-sound is created which in turn produces fear in the enemy and creates confusion.

Creation of solar wind:
Another interesting aspect is the creation of solar wind which acts like flood light and causes havoc in the enemy aircraft. Erratic movement of the aircraft, like a snake, is specially recommended to deceive the enemy. Bharadwaja also advocates a technique by which an illusion of multiple aircrafts are created to misguide the enemy.

Unnatural cloud:
Another concept is, getting the aircraft covered by an unnatural cloud by mixing seven elements in the appropriate proportion. In case of an emergency where the enemy plane comes very close, the last resort is to produce a high temperature equal to 1847oC by which the enemy aircraft will be destroyed. Sage Bharadwaja's knowledge of metallurgy with particular reference to expansion and contraction is simply amazing.

More important is a technique by which the conversation in the cockpit of the enemy aircraft can be heard. Thus the secret design of the enemy can be understood. Equally important is an equipment by which one can get the full picture of the interior of an enemy aircraft.

Finally, a question arises in our mind as to whether these techniques were just in theory or were they practiced and if so where are the evidences for the same. It is very difficult to give a satisfactory answer to this. More research is required by competent scholars to explain these technical details. In the absence of these details they cannot be dismissed as imagination.

In the meantime, it is our duty to bow our head in reverence to sage Bharadwaja, who may perhaps be considered as the first aeronautical engineer in the world.