Astras: Divine Weapons Of A Mass Destruction

Astras

Astras ( Divine weapons) come into importance mainly in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where they were used in the great battles described in each epic. They are depicted as used by archers such as Parashurama, Rama, Lakshman, Meghnad, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthaman, Arjuna and other warriors. The divine weapons played a decisive part in our Epics. They gave conclusive ends to various tales from the epics. The answer is about divine weapons and not about any specific story.

The divine weapons 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.

Lord Parashurama and Meghnada, son of Ravana, are believed to be the only humans who ever possessed the three ultimate weapons of the Trinity. At a very young age, Meghnada became the possessor of several supreme celestial weapons, including “Brahmanda Astra”, “Pashupatastra” and “Vaishnavastra”.

Details of the divine weapons:

Trishula ( The Trident ) – The Trident of Lord Shiva. Most Powerful, Infallible, cannot be stopped by anyone, except Lord Shiva himself.

Sudarshana Chakra – The legendary discus of Lord Vishnu, given to Vishnu by Lord Shiva. It flies at the command of Vishnu. Can be stopped only by Lord Vishnu. It has tremendous occult and spiritual power to destroy everything. Used by the Vishnu in his Krishna avatar to behead his cousin Shishupala.
Pashupatastra– One of the most powerful weapons among all the weapons. Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target’s nature. When released, the weapon summons several monsters and a huge spirit which personifies the weapon. This weapon had to be obtained from Shiva directly. It cannot be countered by any weapon. Meghnad possessed this weapon in Ramayana and Arjuna in Mahabharata.
Brahmaastra – Would destroy entire hosts at once. Could also counter most other potent divine weapons. In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifests with the single head of Lord Brahma as its tip. In Mahabharata era: Parasurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Arjuna and several warriors possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. Atikaya, one of Ravan’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 Brahmaastra. In ancient Sanskrit writings, the Brahmastra was a weapon created by Brahma, along with its more powerful version like “Brahmashirsha Astra”.

Brahmashirsha Astra– Capable of killing Devas. It was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit. Brahmashirsha astra is considered as the evolution of the Brahmastra and 4 times stronger than the Brahmastra. In the Ramayana, Indrajit invoked the Brahmashira Astra and killed 670 million Vanaras in one day. In Mahabharata, Ashwatthama and Arjun used this weapon.
Brahmanda astra– A defensive weapon. Capable of repelling any weapon. A weapon related to it was used by Vashishta against Vishwamitra. This weapon was mentioned in the Suryaputra Karna, which is untrue.
Rudra Astra– Contains the power of a Rudra. When it was used, it invokes the power of a Rudra out of the Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras and destroys the target. In the Kurukshetra war, Karna used this weapon against Arjuna and it knocked Arjuna unconscious. Also, used by ( Shiva residing inside Ashwathama ) against Dhrishtadyumna, Upapandavas and their ally in the night attack.
Sharanga (bow)- The bow of Lord Vishnu, also called as Vaishnav Dhanush was used by Sri Rama and then by Sri Krishna.

Narayanastra– It would create showers of arrows and discs. The power of this weapon would increase if, any resistance offered to it. This weapon had to be obtained from the Vishnu and could be used only once in a lifetime. In Mahabharata: Ashwatthama used this weapon against Pandava army after the death of Drona. It destroyed one Akshauhini of Pandava army completely. This was thwarted by Krishna to save the Pandavas army from further damage.
Vasavi Shakti– Magical dart of Indra and given by Indra to Karna. It was used by Karna against Ghatotkacha to kill him.
Bhargavastra– Parashurama gave this weapon to Karna. It completely destroyed one Akshauhani of Pandava army. This weapon possesses Parashurama’s skill in archery.
Gada (mace)- Primary weapon of Lord Hanuman. A mace typically consists of a strong, heavy, wooden or metal shaft, often reinforced with metal, featuring a head made of stone, copper, bronze, iron, or steel. Later, chosen by Bhima and Duryodhana as their primary weapon and used against each other in Mahabharata.

Vajra– it’s target would be struck with bolts of lightning ( vajra referring to Indra’s thunderbolt).
Gandiva (bow)- This invincible bow was created by Brahma. This bow changed many hands before it was handed to Arjuna by the Varuna. The bow was worshiped by Devas, Gandharvas and Danavas. No ordinary person could wield the Gandiva bow. When fired, the bow made the sound of thunder. It has special qualities like being indestructible, having 100 bow strings, etc. which always gave the wielder an absolute advantage over his opponent.
Vijaya (bow)- The Vijaya was the personal bow of Lord Shiva. Parshurama gave it to Karna. Except Parasurama, Karna or an equally or more powerful warrior, nobody else could even lift it. Karna used this bow while fighting against Arjuna.
Vaishnavastra– It would destroy it’s target completely, irrespective of target’s nature. Infallible. Had to be obtained from Lord Vishnu. In Mahabharata: Bhagadatta possessed it.
Nagaastra – Another deadliest weapon used by Karna against Arjuna and Meghnad against Lakshmana.
Shakti weapon- this was used by Meghnand against Lakshmana, and Lakshmana fell unconscious. Later, Lakshmana was saved by Hanuman.
Nagapasha– 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, they fell unconscious and were later saved by Garuda on Hanuman’s insistence.

Garudastra– A weapon that can defend against Nagaastra when attacked by the opponents. It was used by Lord Rama in Ramayana.

Anjalika Astra– This was used by the Arjuna to kill Karna.
Sammohana/Pramohana– It Would cause the entire army to collapse in a trance. Arjuna used this weapon against the Kaurava army during the Virata war.

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