THE PUSHPAKA CAR

The following quotes are from the Ramayana, an epic Sanskrit poem believed to be compiled from historical records by the ancient Hindu sage Valmiki. Notice that occasionally vimanas are said to look like a "bright cloud," and sometimes emit a "melodious sound" instead of the usual thunderous roar.

When morning dawned, Rama, taking the Celestial Car Puspaka had sent to him by Vivpishand, stood ready to depart. Self-propelled was that car. It was large and finely painted. It had two stories and many chambers with windows, and was draped with flags and banners. It gave forth a melodious sound as it coursed along its airy way.

The Puspaka Car, that resembles the sun and belongs to my brother, was brought [to Lanka] by the powerful Ravan; that aerial and excellent car, going everywhere at will, is ready for thee. That car, resembling a bright cloud in the sky, is in the city of Lanka.

"Do thou speedily bring the aerial car for me." Thereupon arrived the car, adorned all over with gold, having fine upper rooms, banners, and jewelled windows, and giving forth a melodious sound, having huge apartments and excellent seats.

Beholding the car coming by force of will Rama attained to an excess of astonishment. And the king got in, and the excellent car, at the command of Raghira, rose up into the higher atmosphere. And in that car, coursing at will, Rama greatly delighted.

After a short aerial journey in the Puspaka Car with Raghira at the helm, they land and Rama has a go at it.

Being then commanded by Rama, that excellent car, with a huge noise, rose up in the Welkin. And looking down on all sides, Rama spoke to Sita:

[We switch at this point to Romesh Dutt's beautiful poetic translation:]

"Mark my love," so Rama uttered, as on flying Pushpa car,
Borne by swans, the home-returning exiles left the field of war,

Sailing o'er the cloudless ether Rama's Pushpa chariot came,
And ten thousand jocund voices shouted Rama's joyous name,

Silver swans by Rama's bidding soft descended from the air,
And on earth the chariot lighted,--car of flowers divinely fair,--

There is no doubt that the ancient writers spoke of the aerial vehicles in question, not in scientific terms, but in poetic ones. But it takes little effort to see through the flowery phrases and discern a more objective picture. Vimanas were an enjoyable form of transportation, as well as a rather efficient war machine. They were owned by the ruling class for two reasons. First, they were far too expensive and sophisticated for the peasants of that day. Second, it seems that most of them came from a higher order of beings who seemed to have a political interest in certain mundane affairs.

Earlier in the Epic a war had been precipitated between the kingdom of Rama, centered in Ayodhya, India, and that of the evil Raksha known as Ravan, king of Lanka. This war was triggered by the abduction of Sita, Rama's beloved. The event is described in Romesh Dutt's translation as follows:

Unseen dwellers of the woodland watched the dismal deed of shame,
Marked the mighty armed Raksha lift the poor and helpless dame.

Seat her in his car celestial yoked with asses winged with speed,
Golden in its shape and radiance, fleet as Indra's heavenly steed!

Then arose the car celestial o'er the hill and wooded vale,
Like a snake in eagle's talons Sita writhed with piteous wail,

Many battles ensued and many lives were lost before the final defeat of the demon Raksha and the rescue of Sita from Ravan's evil clutches. In one particular encounter the poet Valmiki likens the movement of Ravan's airship to the "tempest clouds" as he approaches Rama's lieutenant Lakshman "flaming like celestial fire". Ravan eventually catches Rama at a disadvantage (on foot), and this is where the god Indra intervenes, loaning Rama a powerful vimana fully equipped with weapons equal to those of Ravan. This makes for an even fight.

"Speed, Matali," thus spake Indra, "speed thee with my heavenly car,
Where on foot the righteous Rama meets his mounted foe in war,

"Take this car," so said Matali, "which the helping gods provide,
Rama, take these steeds celestial, Indra's golden chariot ride,"

Gods and mortals watched the contest and the heroes of the war,
Ravan speeding on his chariot, Rama on the heavenly car,

Still the dubious battle lasted, until Rama in his ire
Wielded Brahma's deathful weapon, flaming with celestial fire!

Weapon which the Saint Agastya had unto the hero given,
Winged as lightning dart of Indra, fatal as the bolt of heaven,

Wrapped in smoke and flaming flashes, speeding from the circled bow,
Pierced the iron heart of Ravan, lain the lifeless hero low,

So Ravan, the villain of the epic is vanquished. And as stated above, The aerial car, which Ravan had won from the gods, is made over to Rama who flies it back to his home in Ayodhya, giving his beloved Sita, Lakshman and his other friends a birds-eye view of both Sri Lanka and India as they fly back (We're referring again to the Pushpaka Car, described at the beginning of this article).

Whether the "gods" referred to above are members of a more advanced civilization is not really made clear. However, when such craft are being utilized by human beings, they are generally a gift or a loan from elsewhere, and not built here on earth. Similar machines (also called vimanas) that were built here by humans were somewhat inferior as to propulsion, efficiency and sophistication. For some examples of the latter, click on the article which discusses instructions and specifications in regard to ancient aeroplanes.