One of the most extensive histories on the planet’s surface is that of India. Their ancient sacred texts, the Vedas, refer to many mind-altering subjects. Among them are the stories and legends of the so-called Vimanas, ancient flying vehicles said to have existed more than six thousand years ago. As per the ancient Vedas, the Vimanas were the flying vehicles of the gods. But throughout history, we find many incredible myths and legends that make reference to flight and how people were able to travel great distances across the air. Some of these myths are the stories of the flying carpet, Ezequles wheel, or Solomons’s ability to travel from one country to another, soaring through the skies. Vimanas, also dubbed Chariots of the gods, are also mentioned in various mythologies from ancient China.
The ancient Vimana in the Mahabharata
Reference to the ancient flying vehicles, the Vimanas, can be found in the Mahabharata. This is one of two major ancient Hindu Sanskrit Epics. A quote from the Mahabharata reads:
“At Rama’s behest, the magnificent chariot rose to a mountain of clouds with a tremendous din. Another passage reads: Bhima flew with his Vimana on an enormous ray which was as brilliant as the sun and made a noise like the thunder of a storm…”
The ancient Vimana in the Ramayana
The Ramayana, another great Hindu Epic, also mentions the so-called Vimana flying vehicles. However, in the Ramayana story, the Vimana, also referred to as an Astra, had the ability to leave the Earth-s atmosphere, and travel into outer space. In the Ramayana, this flying vehicle is called the Pushpaka Vimana, and it is described in the following way:
“The Pushpaka Vimana that resembles the Sun and belongs to my brother was brought by the powerful Ravana; that aerial and excellent Vimana going everywhere at will … that chariot resembling a bright cloud in the sky … and the King [Rama] got in, and the excellent chariot at the command of the Raghira, rose into the higher atmosphere.”
What powered the ancient Vimana?
As per Dileep Kumar Kanjilal, from a text published in 1985, the ancient flying machines called the Vimana were powered by a so-called Mercury Vortex Engine. This engine, supposedly, works similarly to the concept of electric propulsion. These engines supposedly allowed the Vimana to travel vast distances, achieving incredible height and speed. Some mythological texts even mention how interplanetary travel was achievable by certain Vimanas, built specifically for that purpose. A Scientific background proving the Vimanas ever flew or such an engine existed is nonexistent. Despite this fact, millions of people are convinced that the myths and legends of the Vimanas are a surpassed truth.
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