Svayamvahaka, Svayam-vahaka, Svayaṃvāhaka: 1 definition
Introduction:
Svayamvahaka means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: academia.edu: Bhoja’s Mechanical Garden (vastu)Svayaṃvāhaka (स्वयंवाहक) refers to “automatic (self-carrying) machines”, according to the Samarāṅganasūtradhāra.—Machines are given a number of further classifications—as automatic (svayaṃvāhaka; lit. “self-carrying”), requiring intermittent propulsion (sakṛtprerya), having invisible propulsion (antaritavāhya; lit. “cannot be carried far”), or not going far (vāhyaṃ durataḥ; 31.10). The best machines, according to Bhoja, are those that are automatic and whose mechanics are compact and concealed (31.11, 49). Different types of motions and timings are also noted. Alongside such classificatory schema, Bhoja describes different functions or movements that machines can perform (31.52–53), enumerating a long list of their good qualities (31.45–49), as well as providing a brief excursus on the benefits of machines in general (31.13–21).
Svayaṃvāhaka (“automatic machines”) were considered the most excellent.—Bhoja reminds the planner that the most admired qualities of a machine are the invisibility (alakṣatā) of its workings and its strangeness (vicitratva; 31.14). Indeed, Bhoja pines, “What else in the world is more strange? What else is more satisfying? And what creates [such] fascination?” (31.85). For these reasons, the most excellent machines were those that were automatic (svayaṃvāhaka) and whose mechanisms were invisible (alakṣya)—together creating the appearance of unassisted movement. This “illusory” element of the automaton machine made it kindred with magic.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Svayam, Vahaka.
Full-text: Antaritavahya, Sakritprerya, Alakshya.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Svayamvahaka, Svayam-vahaka, Svayaṃvāhaka, Svayaṃ-vāhaka, Svayam-vāhaka; (plurals include: Svayamvahakas, vahakas, Svayaṃvāhakas, vāhakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vastu-shastra (4): Palace Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 3 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 14 - The Ontological categories of the Rāmānuja School according to Veṅkaṭanātha < [Chapter XX - Philosophy of the Rāmānuja School of Thought]