Astra (weapon)
In Hinduism, an astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र) was a supernatural weapon, presided over by a specific deity and imbued with spiritual and occult powers that caused its effect or impact. Later the word came to denote any weapon which was used by releasing it from one's hand (e.g. an arrow, compared to keeping it one's hand e.g. a sword [shastra]). In Ramayana and Mahabharata,It is said that only Lord Rama possessed almost all astras including Narayanastra.[1][2]
Arjuna uses the Agneyastra against Angaraparna
Summoning of Astra
To summon or use an astra required use of a specific incantation or invocation. The deity invoked would then endow the weapon with supernatural powers, making it impossible to counter through regular means. Specific conditions existed involving the usage of astras, the violation of which could be fatal. Because of the power involved, the knowledge involving an astra was passed in the Guru-shishya tradition from a Guru (teacher) to a Shishya (pupil) by word of mouth alone, and only following the establishment of the student's character. Certain astras had to be handed down from the deity involved directly, knowledge of the incantation being insufficient.
Astras in Hindu Epics
Arjuna gifts the Agneyastra to the Gandharva
Astras come into importance mainly in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where they are used in the great battles described in each epic. They are depicted as used by archers such as Parashurama, Rama, Lakshman, Meghanada (Indrajit), Ravana, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Arjuna and other warriors.
The divya ("divine")[4] astras were generally invoked into arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything. Ashwatthama invoked Brahmashirsha astra using a blade of grass as his weapon. Arjuna was capable of shooting all of his celestial weapons including Pashupatastra by the power of his mind alone.[5]
| Astra | Deity | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmastra | Brahma, the Creator | It would destroy entire armies at once and could also counter most other astras. In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifests with the head of Lord Brahma as its tip. In the Mahabharata era, Parasurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Arjuna, and in other eras several other Maharathis possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. It was the only weapon capable of piercing the Brahma Kavach; the invincible armor of Lord Brahma. Atikaya, one of Raavan's sons, possessed the invincible armor of Lord Brahma that could only be pierced by a Brahmastra and was killed by Lakshmana, brother of Lord Rama, using a Brahmastra. In ancient Sanskrit writings, the Brahmastra was a weapon created by Brahma, along with its more powerful versions:- the Brahmashirsha Astra and the Brahmanda Astra. |
| Trishula | Shiva, the Destroyer | It was the Trident of Lord Shiva. The most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology, according to Shaiva traditions, infallible, cannot be stopped by anyone, except Lord Shiva himself and Goddess Shakti; the consort of Lord Shiva in Parvati form. Though it was once stopped by Atikaya, who caught hold of it mid-air. |
| Sudarshana Chakra | Vishnu, the Preserver | The legendary discus of Lord Vishnu, given to him by Vishvakarman.[6] The most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology, according to Vaishnav traditions, infallible, flies at the command of Lord Vishnu. It could be stopped only by Lord Vishnu.[7][8][9] It has tremendous occult and spiritual power that could protect or destroy anything. It was used by Krishna, Vishnu's 8th avatar, to behead his cousin Shishupala. [10] |
| Barbarika's Teen Baan (three infallible arrows) | Shiva, the Destroyer | Lord Shiva [11] gave Barbarika three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). A single arrow was enough to destroy all opponents in any war, and it would then return to Barbarika's quiver. The first arrow was used to mark all the things that Barbarika wants to destroy. On releasing the third arrow, it would destroy all the things that are marked and then would return to Barbarika's quiver. If Barbarika uses the second arrow, then the second arrow would mark all the things that Barbarika wants to save. On using the third arrow, it would destroy all the things that are not marked. In other words, with one arrow Barbarika could fix all his targets and with the other, he can destroy them. Barbarika came to be known by the appellation Teen Baandhaari, the "Bearer of the Three Arrows". Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha and the grandson of Bhima, second of the Pandava brothers, and Hidimbi. |
| Indrastra | Indra, God of Weather | It would bring about a 'shower' of arrows, like rain, from the sky. Indra gave this Astra to his son Arjuna when the latter visited Svargra. |
| Vasavi Shakti | Indra, God of Weather | The second weapon of Indra, inferior to Vajra. It could be used only once and upon usage, it killed the opponent. It was used by Indrajit on Lakshmana. However, Lakshmana's life was restored by Sanjeevani. Karna used it against Ghatotkacha and killed him. |
| Praswapastra | Vasus, Gods of Skies | This weapon would cause the afflicted to fall asleep on the battlefield. Bhishma was stopped by the Akashvani from using this weapon against his Guru, Lord Parashurama. In Ramayana and Mahabharat, only Bhishma had this weapon. |
| Agneyastra | Agni, God of Fire | The weapon discharged would emit flames inextinguishable through normal means. Arjuna used it against Angaraparna, the Gandharva. |
| Varunastra | Varuna, God of Water | The weapon discharged would release torrential volumes of water. This weapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra. It was possessed by Rama, Indrajit, Ravana, Lakshman, Arjuna, Bhishma, Drona, likewise warriors. |
| Manavastra | Manu, Father of the Human Race | It could overcome supernatural protections and carry the target hundreds of miles away. It could inspire humane traits in an evil being. This weapon was used by Lord Rama on the rakshasa, Maricha. Arjuna also possessed this weapon. |
| Varunapasha | Varuna, God of Oceans | A powerful noose which not even other gods could escape from. Warriors including Rama, Indrajit, Arjuna possessed this weapon. |
| Bhaumastra | Bhūmi, Goddess of Earth | The weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels. Only Arjuna had this Astra. |
| Bhargavastra | Shiva, Supreme God | Bhargava is one of the names of Lord Shiva [12]and Lord Parashurama Lord Shiva was the creator of this Astra which he imparted to his disciple Parshuram. Lord Parshuram gifted it to Karna.The Speciality of the astra is the energy to be exerted by the weapon can be determined by the wielder.If it is wielded to exert very less energy it can be neutralised by Lords astras but if wielders wants to show full power then It is infalliable and has no counter[13]. |
| Nagastra | The Nagas | The weapon would have an unerring aim and take on the form of a snake, proving deadly upon impact. It was used by many warriors. Arjuna used this against Susharma. |
| Nagapasha | The Nagas | Upon impact, this weapon would bind the target in coils of living venomous snakes. In the Ramayana, it was used against Rama and Lakshmana by Indrajit. Arjuna obtained it from his wife Ulupi. |
| Garudastra | Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu | A weapon that can defend against Nagastra when attacked by the opponents. It was possessed by Rama and Arjuna. It was used by Lord Rama in Ramayana.[14] |
| Anjalika Astra | Indra, God of Weather | Arjuna killed Karna using this astra.[15] |
| Vayuvyastra | Vayu, God of Wind | Brings about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground. On the 14th day of the Kurukshetra War, when the battle continued after the sunset Ashwatthama used this weapon to penetrate the illusions made by Anjanaparvan the son of Ghatotkacha. Arjuna, Indrajit, Rama also had this weapon. |
| Suryastra | Surya, God of the Sun | Creates a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about and dry up water bodies. Arjuna used this astra against Shakuni on 12th day of Kurukshtra War. |
| Maghavan | Indra | Swift and flaming weapon capable of baffling arms shower used especially in illusionary warfare. Arjuna obtained this weapon from Indra.[16] |
| Vajra | Indra, God of Weather | Target would be struck with bolts of lightning (vajra referring to Indra's thunderbolt). Apart from Indra, only Arjuna possessed Vajra. Indra gave this Astra to his son Arjuna.[17] |
| Mohini Astra | Mohini, an Avatar of Vishnu | Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity. Arjuna used this astra against Nivata Kavachas and dispelled all illusion created by them. |
| Twashtar Astra | Twashtri, the Heavenly Builder | When used against a group of opponents (such as an army), would cause them to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other. Only Arjuna possessed this weapon. |
| Sammohana/Pramohana | Gandharvas | Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance. Arjuna uses this weapon against the Kaurava army during the Virata war. On the 6th day of Kurukshetra war, Dhrishtadyumna used it against Kauravas which caused them to be unconscious but Drona used his Prajna astra to stop its effect. |
| Parvatastra | Would cause a Parvata/mountain to fall on the target from the skies. Arjuna possessed this astra. | |
| Brahmashirsha astra | Brahma, the Creator | Capable of killing devas. Was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit. It is thought that the Brahmashirsha astra is the evolution of the Brahmastra and is a secret infallible weapon creates by Lord Brahma 4 times stronger than Brahmastra. In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the four heads of Lord Brahma as its tip. In Mahabharata era Sage Agnivesha, Drona, Arjuna and Ashwatthama (only Arjuna got the knowledge to release the astra and retract it) while all the other three possessed the knowledge only to invoke this weapon. |
| Brahmadanda | Brahma, the Creator | A defensive personal weapon divine rod (danda) possessed only by Bhramana. Capable of repelling other higher energy weapons . Used by Vashishta against Vishwamitra.This high energy is used only as defence. |
| Narayanastra | Vishnu, the Preserver | Would create showers of arrows and discs. The astra's power would increase with the resistance offered to it. This weapon had to be obtained from the Narayana form Vishnu directly, and could be used only once. It is one of the most powerful weapons of Hindu mythology. [18]
Any attempt of invoking it a second time would rebound back on user and his troops. In Mahabharata era, Lord Vishnu in Narayana form blessed Drona with this weapon . Drona as presented this astra to his son Ashwatthama. In Mahabharata war Ashwatthama used this weapon against Pandava army after the death of Drona.[19] It destroyed one Akshauhini of Pandava army.The only way to escape is total submission before the weapon, which prompts this weapon to spare the target as stated by Krishna. When it was used, Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras appear in the sky to destroy the targets. Millions of types of weapons like Chakra, Gadha, ultra sharp arrows appeared in rage to destroy the target. Who ever tries to resist it will be destroyed. |
| Vaishnavastra | Vishnu, the Preserver | Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature. Infallible. Had to be obtained from Lord Vishnu directly. The only counter to this weapon was to invoke another Vaishnavastra to counter the attacking Vaishnavastra or for the presiding deity of the Vaishnavastra to stop the Vaishnavastra. In Mahabharata era Bhagadatta, Krishna and Arjuna had this weapon. Bhagadatta used this weapon on Arjuna but Krishna stood up before Arjuna to retrieve the weapon. Sri Rama used this weapon to destroy the energy of Bharghava Rama.[20] |
| Kaumodaki Gada | Vishnu, the Preserver | Divine mace of Vishnu. Would destroy whole armies. Infallible and without parallel. Lord Krishna slayed Demon Dantavakra with it. |
| Sharanga (bow) | Vishnu, the Preserver | The bow of Lord Vishnu, also called as Vaishnav Dhanush was used by Sri Rama then Sri Krishna. |
| Nandaka | Vishnu, the Preserver | The sacred sword of Vishnu. It had a blade which was indestructible. It was used by Lord Krishna to kill countless demons. |
| Vijaya (bow) | Shiva, the Destroyer | The bow was made by Vishvakarma. Vijaya Dhanush was the personal bow of Lord Shiva, which was regarded as the foremost of bows. Lord Shiva left it in the care of Indra Dev who on instruction from Lord Shiva happily gave it to Sage Parashurama. Lord Parashurama used this as his personal bow .[21][22] and later gifted it to Karna |
| Pinaka (bow) | Shiva, the Destroyer | Also called as Shiva Dhanush, was the bow of Lord Shiva, which he used to kill countless Asuras in battle (The city of Tripura was destroyed by Lord Shiva using the Pinaka). It was given to Parashurama By Lord Shiva, which was passed down to King Janaka, the father of Devi Sita, and was broken by Lord Rama in her swayamvara. |
| Maheshwarastra | Shiva, the Destroyer | Contains the power of Shiva's third eye. Shoots a really fast fiery beam which can turn even celestial beings to complete ashes. It has the power to turn the entire creation to ashes. Karna possessed the weapon[23] |
| Rudra Astra | Shiva, the Destroyer | Contains the power of a Rudra. When it is used, it invokes the power of Rudra out of the Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras and destroys the target.Karna[24] and Arjuna possessed this weapon in Mahabharata.[25] |
| Sum of the Sula-armed Mahadeva (astra) | Lord Shiva | Lord Shiva's Infalliable weapon possessed by Radheya.This astra was superior to Mahapashupatastra as stated in Mahabharatha.In Dwapara Yuga, only Karna possessed the weapon.Karna didnot use it for the welfare of mankind[26] |
| Pashupatastra | Shiva, the Destroyer | One of the most powerful weapons among all the astras. Every time it was summoned, its head would never be the same. It summons a larger number of monsters and a huge spirit which personifies the weapon. Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature. This astra was capable to destroy whole world. In Dwapara Yuga, Karna [27] [28] and Arjuna possessed Pashupatastra.[29] In Treta yuga, Lord Ram and sage Vishwamitra possessed this weapon [30] |
| Parashu (axe) | Lord Shiva | The Parashu (axe) was an unconquerable and indestructible divine weapon given to Lord Parashurama by his Guru Lord Shiva along with other divine weapons due to the extreme devotion of Lord Parashurama. Lord Parashurama later gave this axe to Lord Ganesha. Parashurama means Rama who wields the axe as Rama was the name Lord Parashurama was known by till he acquired the axe from Lord Shiva. |
| Chandrahas | Shiva, | The divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Moon, Has-laugh, literally 'the laughter of the moon' but referring to the shape formed by a crescent moon which resembles a smile) was given to Raavan with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three-eyed Lord Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered. |
| Gandiva (bow) | Brahma, the creator | This invincible bow was created by Brahma, the Creator of universe. Brahma held it first for a thousand years, then Prajapati held it for five hundred and three years, Indra, for five hundred and eighty years, and Soma for five hundred years. After that Varuna held it for a hundred years before handing it to Arjuna along with a Kapi/Hanuman bannered chariot, and two inexhaustible quivers, as requested by Agni during the Khandava-daha Parva. The bow was decorated with hundreds of gold bosses, and had radiant ends. The bow was worshiped by Devas, Gandharvas and Danavas. No person other than Arjuna could wield the Gandiva and Arjuna was wielder of Gandiva then he came to be known as gandivdhari (carrier of gandiva bow). |
| Sabda-veda astra | This weapon prevents an opponent from turning invisible. Used by Arjuna against the Ghandarva king Chitrasena. In Mahabharat era, only Arjuna and Krishna knew this weapon | |
| Antardhana Astra | Kubera | The Antardhana Astra would make things, people or entire places disappear. It was given to Arjuna by Kubera. |
| Prajnastra | This weapon was used to restore the senses and thoughts of someone. It was a good counter to the Sammohanastra. Warriors like Drona, Indrajit and Arjuna had and Drona used this astra in war. | |
| Tej Prabha Astra | Surya | The Sequestrator of the brilliance of enemies. Arjuna obtained this when he visited heaven. |
| Sailastra | The Sailastra was used to make heavy winds disappear, meaning it was the counter to Vayvayastra, the wind weapon. It was possessed by warriors Rama, Krishna, Indrajit and Arjuna. | |
| Visoshana | Indra, god of weather | The Visoshana was the drying weapon. It could dry anything. Indrajit possessed this weapon. It was an amazing counter to the Varunastra. Arjuna obtained this weapon from Indra at heaven.[31] |
| Jyotiksha Astra | Surya, god of the sun | The Jyotiksha Astra could brighten a dark area. Arjuna had this astra in the Mahabharata. |
| Sauparna | The Sauparna weapon would release crazy birds. Hence, it was a good counter to the Nagastra. It was used by Susharma in the Mahabharata war when Arjuna used the Nagastra on the Sampshapataka army. | |
| Govardhana (bow) | Vishnu, the Preserver | The Govardhana was a powerful bow of Vishnu. During the Mahabharata, Vishnu gave Vidura this bow. |
See also
- Astras of Arjuna
- The Ramayana
- The Mahabharata
- Bhagavata Purana
References
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Narayanastra most powerful.
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