Vimana Shastra Drawing Plates - Technical Diagrams of Ancient Hindu Aeronautics
Summary: This page presents the original drawing plates from the Vimana Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit text attributed to Maharshi Bharadwaja that describes the design and construction of advanced flying vehicles known as Vimanas. Translated and published by G.R. Josyer, these detailed technical plates illustrate four types of Vimanas—Rukma, Sundara, Tripura, and Shakuna—along with diagrams of their power generation systems. The plates serve as visual supplements to the English translation of this remarkable Hindu aeronautical treatise.
NOTE: In the book, these plates follow the English translation. These are the best available images; some of the originals are slightly illegible due to poor printing.
 Click to enlarge 1. Rukma Vimana: Profile |
 Click to enlarge 2. Rukma Vimana: Plan of Base or Pitha |
 Click to enlarge 3. Rukma Vimana: Plan of Top and Steering Floor |
 Click to enlarge 4. Rukma Vimana: Vertical Section |
 Click to enlarge 5. Sundara Vimana: Vertical Section |
 Click to enlarge 6. Sundara Vimana: Plan of Pitha (Base) |
 Click to enlarge 7. Sundara Vimana: Floors |
 Click to enlarge 8. Sundara Vimana: Vertical Section |
 Click to enlarge 9. Tripura Vimana: Cross Section |
 Click to enlarge 10. Electric Power Generator: Sectional Elevation |
 Click to enlarge 11. Electric Power Generator: Top View and Elevation Plan |
 Click to enlarge 12. Tripura Vimana: Perspective and Vertical Section |
 Click to enlarge 13. Shakuna Vimana: Vertical Section (Lengthwise) |
 Click to enlarge 14. Shakuna Vimana: Vertical Section (Crosswise) ![14 (verso). Shakuna Vimana: Location of Yantras [Caption]](images/pl14cap.jpg) Click to enlarge 14 (verso). Shakuna Vimana: Location of Yantras [Caption] |
 Click to enlarge 15. Shakuna Vimana: Vertical Section at the Wing Joint |
 Click to enlarge 16. Shakuna Vimana: Horizontal Section--Lengthwise |
Source: Vymaanika‑Shaastra (Aeronautics) Attributed to Maharshi Bharadwaaja Propounded by Subbaraya Shastry English translation and edition originally printed and published by G. R. Josyer, Coronation Press, Mysore, India (1973). This text was reproduced and reformatted from Sacred‑Texts.com, based on the edition made available there by the late John Bruno Hare, founder of Sacred‑Texts.
Copyright Status: The English translation published by G. R. Josyer is formally still under copyright; however, extensive research by Sacred‑Texts determined that this edition constitutes an orphaned copyright. No rights‑holder, estate, or legal representative has ever been identified, and no copyright claims have been asserted for several decades. Sacred‑Texts published the text with this understanding, and this reproduction follows the same good‑faith assessment of its cultural and historical significance.
Editorial Note: This material is presented here for general reading and educational purposes only. While care has been taken to reproduce the text accurately, we do not guarantee the absence of errors or omissions. Readers undertaking academic or scholarly work are encouraged to consult the original printed edition where possible. Commercial reproduction of this work is strictly prohibited. Chapter summaries are added by Jayaram V and do not form part of the original text.