Pre-modern Warfare:India And Elsewhere

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<!--QuoteBegin-Hauma Hamiddha+Apr 1 2006, 03:31 PM-->QUOTE(Hauma Hamiddha @ Apr 1 2006, 03:31 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->shataghni appears to be one of the oldest of the more involved hindu weapons. It finds mention in the veda itself in the taittirIya AraNyaka 1.5.1. It is mentioned as agni-jihva or with the tongue of fire. However, explanatory commentary mentions that it was packed with loha kaNTa or iron spikes. In the bhArgava section of the purANas (deployed by kArtavIya against rAmo bhArgava) and the mahabhArata droNaparvan it appears it was used as a ballista. This suggests that it was an incendiary device that fired on being hurled and also spewed iron spikes.
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Ok, I'v re-edited my page on the Shataghni with this new info as well as to correct the spelling for Shata.

Does the text you have go into detail on how they worked? ie. what principle did they work on, what were their firing mechanisms like, the trigger mechanisms etc.?

Thanks!