yoga in Shilpa shastra

1. 21st
June-World Yoga Day
The logo of my alma-mater (VNIT Nagpur) is “ Yoga Karmasu Koushalyam”.
Acharya Vinoba Bhave has explained its meaning in very simple words.
Doing the same work more and more efficiently and skillfully is nothing else
but Yoga.
21st June is World Yoga Day. The exact meaning of Yoga is to join two or
more things together. Maharshee Patanjali initiated and developed the
science of Yoga. This is the science to keep our body and mind healthy and
energetic. It includes eight aspects-Yama, Niyam, Aasan, PraaNayaam ,
Pratyaahaar, DhaaraNa, Dhyaan and Samaadhee
In modern times Mahesh Yogi, Swami Shivanand, Paramhans Yoganand,
B.S. Iyengar, Janardan Swami and especially Swami Ramadeo popularized
the practice throughout the world and have millions of their followers. With
the special efforts of our Prime minister of India Narendra Modi this day is
observed as a World Yoga Day.
Ancient Indian Science and Technology (Shilpa shastra) has a different
interpretation of the Word “Yoga”. Yoga means combination or Joining.
Shilpa shastra includes ten branches,32 techniques and 64 skills. The art
of Joining is included in all ten branches and it is described briefly in this
article.
Ancient Biological Sciences include 3 techniques, namely Botany, Zoology
and human resources.
1a-Botany -By mixing of pollens of two flowers, a hybrid variety of fruit tree
is created. Drafting or budding is also a Yoga. Such skills are described by
Sage Parashar in his book Krishi Parashar.
1b-Zoology -Cross breeding of two animals (Horse and Donkey) results into
new animal Pony which is useful during wars. Sage Palakappy has described
about this technique.

2. 1c-Human Resources -Marriages of two persons of different castes or
religion was prohibited in Hindu religion. The logic behind this rule was the
child of such couple is born as abnormal. Now this practice is abandoned.
2-Water Resourses- Bhrugu Shilpa Shastra mentions a skill “Jala vayu agni
Sanyog” or combination of water, air and heat (steam). So, the power of
steam can be utilized more efficiently than water, air or heat. But the text
is not available.
3-Mining and Metallurgy -It includes many skills related to Yoga. Alchemy
includes combination of herbs and mercury to transform cheap metals into
silver or gold. Modern Scientists disbelieve this practice but modern
Chemistry or Chemical science originated from this Alchemy.
Modern Metallurgy mentions two methods for combination -combination by
force or by heating and melting. Brass, Gun metal, Bronze etc are the
examples. Steel was produced by primitives by melting pig iron and mixing
herbs or bird feathers. This practice is still followed. Separation is an
opposite to Yoga.
4-Surface Transportation (RathaShastra) - a heated iron ream is put on
the wooden wheel of a cart. This example of Balasankar.
5-Water Transportation (Nauka Shasatra) - To increase the speed of a boat
sails are used to use wind energy. This art was known as Pat bandhan.
6-Air transportation (Viman Shastra)- It contains an art “SwarNadilepan)
or electro-plating. Construction of dry cell was first invented by Sage
Agastya.
7-Vastushastra-(Housing)-It includes many skills of combination.
7a-Mrudkarm -Preparation of pottery soil includes mixing of certain herbs
and fibers with soil.
7b-Sudhakarm -Lime mortar – This includes slaked lime, molasses, brick
powder and sand etc.
7c-Daru karm (Wood working) – It includes wood joints in pillar, beam truss
etc.
7d-Rang karma(Painting)-It includes preparation of colors with different
ingredients. This description is given in Vishnu Dharmottar PuraN.

3. 8-Prakaar Shastra(Forts and Castles)- It includes an art known as weapons
and missiles- Explosives were prepared by mixing coal powder, silk cotton
and sulphur. This description is given in Shukra Niti.
9-Town planning (Nagar Rachana) – There is no art related yoga.
10-Machines (Yantra Shastra) -By definition a machine contains one to five
essential components viz. Lever, wheel, gear, chain and screw. This
combination is Yoga. More inform can be obtained from ancient books on
Yantra Shastra.
Edited by Dr. A.S. Nene 21st June 2021
E mail - prof.ashok.nene@gmail.com