Article – 103

Rukma Vimana in Vaimanika Shastra: Golden Aircraft, Electrical Propulsion, and Directional Control Systems

Mathomathis presents this article as a continuation of the study of the Vaimanika Shastra (Vimana Shastra) attributed to Maharshi Bharadwaaja, propounded by Venerable Subbaraya Shastry, and translated and edited by G. R. Josyer.

After understanding the Sundara Vimana (Article 102), we now explore the Rukma Vimana, a uniquely described aircraft distinguished by its golden structure and electrically driven propulsion system.

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“Atha Rukma Vimana Nirnayaha”

Next: Principles of the Rukma Vimana

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Maharshi Bharadwaaja Sutra 1

“Rukmascha” Sootra
“Rukma too.”

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Bodhaananda Vritti – Nature of Rukma Vimana

The term “Rukma” means gold. Therefore, this Vimana is described as a golden-coloured aircraft.

Key Characteristics

• Golden appearance
• Constructed from Raajaloha alloy
• Special metallurgical processing required

👉 Explanation:
The golden colour is not decorative alone. It indicates refined metallurgical transformation, where Raajaloha is chemically processed to achieve:

• enhanced durability
• tensile strength
• aesthetic brilliance

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Preparation of Golden Raajaloha

According to Varna-sarvasva, the colouring and refinement process involves the following materials:

Material Composition

• Praana-kshaara (ammonium chloride) → 4 parts
• Wild Bengal gram → 32 parts
• Shashakanda → 18 parts
• Naaga (lead) → 20 parts
• Sea foam → 16 parts
• Maakshika (iron pyrites) → 6 parts
• Panchaanana (iron) → 20 parts
• Paara (mercury) → 15 parts
• Kshaara-traya (3 salts: natron, saltpetre, borax) → 28 parts
• Mica → 20 parts
• Silver → 17 parts
• Garada → 8 parts
• Panchaamrita → mixture of 5 substances

Processing

• Heated to 800 degrees
• Melted and filtered
• Cooled to produce golden Raajaloha

👉 Explanation:
This is a highly complex alloy engineering process, combining:

• metals
• minerals
• organic substances

This reflects an advanced attempt at material science and transformation.

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Peetha (Base Platform)

Specifications

• Shape: Tortoise-shaped
• Length: 1000 feet
• Thickness: 1 foot

Structural Features

• 8 directional sides
• 20-foot support spaces beneath
• Bird-beak-like fixtures at each center
• Rotating keelakas (mechanical switches)

Wheel System

• Double iron wheels at 8 centers

👉 Explanation:
The tortoise shape indicates:

• stability
• weight distribution

The bird-beak fixtures likely function as mechanical joints or pivot systems.

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Ayas Chakra (Iron Wheel System)

Specifications

• Size: 12 feet length and width
• Weight: 8 kankushtas
• Shape: Grindstone-like

Function

• Installed in 8 directional centers
• Connected to electric generator via chain wires

👉 Explanation:
These wheels form the primary mechanical-electrical interface, converting electrical force into physical motion.

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Batinikaa-Stambha (Button Switch Pole System)

Structure

• Width: 1 foot
• Height: 4 feet
• Mid-section wheels: 8 inches wide

Mechanism

• Connected to electric poles
• Equipped with button-switches (thumb-operated)
• Goblet-shaped tops with wheel mechanisms

Output

• Generates 5000 linkas speed

👉 Explanation:
This is essentially a control interface system, similar to:

• cockpit controls
• electrical activation switches

It allows the pilot to control motion through direct mechanical-electrical interaction.

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Flight Mechanism (Electrical Propulsion)

Working Principle

• Electrical force activates wheels
• Wheels strike against the peetha
• Generates upward thrust

Combined Action

• Bottom wheels → lift generation
• Top poles → acceleration

👉 Explanation:
This suggests a model where:

• electricity → motion → impact → lift

This is different from air-based propulsion seen in Sundara Vimana.

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Electric Tube Wheel System

Structure

• Tubes placed at 1-foot intervals
• Toothed wheels:
  • Width: 2 feet
  • Height: 1 foot

Additional Wheels

• Lower wheels: 3 feet wide and 3 feet high

Central Pole

• Located among 20 naalas

👉 Explanation:
This creates a distributed electrical motion system, where multiple wheels and tubes work together to produce motion and energy flow.

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Advanced Electrical Mechanism (Narayana Description)

Central Pillar

• Width: 4 feet
• Height: 4 feet
• Opening: 2 feet

Internal System

• 5-faced keelaka
• 5 wheels
• Oil vessel (veginee oil)
• Glass-covered electrical system

Output Speed

👉 25000 linkas

Final Speed

👉 105 krosa (~250 miles per ghatika / 24 minutes)

👉 Explanation:
This is a much more advanced electrical system compared to earlier Vimanas.

It suggests:

• energy amplification
• multi-stage electrical flow
• mechanical acceleration

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Directional Control System

Structural Features

• 8 directional pillars
• Material: Mica (special alloy)

Dimensions

• Thickness: 2 feet
• Height: 15 feet
• Spacing: 10 feet intervals

Function

• Supports passenger and machinery structures
• Enables directional control

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Mica Alloy Preparation

Composition

• Lime → 25 parts
• Iron sulphate → 30 parts
• Liquorice → 28 parts
• Borax → 12 parts
• Root compounds → 8 parts
• Flower salts → 2 parts
• Mica → 100 parts

Processing

• Heated to 800 degrees

👉 Explanation:
This produces a strong, heat-resistant structural material used for:

• pillars
• partitions
• internal structures

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Direction Change Mechanism (Keelaka System)

Key Components

• Rotating keelakas (switches)
• Crescent-shaped naalas

Dimensions

• Naalas: 2 feet wide, 2 feet high
• Internal rods: 4 inches
• Wheels: 1 foot × 1 foot

Mechanism

• Large wheels at:
  • beginning
  • middle
  • end

Function

• Rotation → twists internal rods
• Result → Vimana changes direction

👉 Explanation:
This is a mechanical steering system, allowing:

• turning
• circling
• directional navigation

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Final Understanding of Rukma Vimana

The Rukma Vimana differs significantly from earlier Vimanas:

Core Characteristics

• Golden metallic structure
• Electrically driven propulsion
• Heavy mechanical wheel systems
• Complex directional control

Key Energy System

👉 Unlike Sundara:

• Sundara → Vāta + Dhūma + Agni
• Rukma → Primarily Vidyut (Electrical Force)

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Conclusion

The aircraft described is known as the RUKMA VIMAANA.

It represents a highly advanced conceptual design where:

• metallurgy
• electrical systems
• mechanical motion
• directional control

are integrated into a single structure.

Unlike other Vimanas, the Rukma Vimana emphasizes electrical propulsion and structural precision, reflecting a different approach to flight within the framework of the Vaimanika Shastra.