An astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र) is a supernatural weapon in Hindu mythology. It is presided over by a specific deity and imbued with spiritual and occult powers that causes its effects.The term came to subsequently denote any weapon which was used by releasing it from one's hand (such as an arrow), compared to keeping it one's hand (such as a sword).
The bearer of an astra is called an astradhari (Sanskrit: अस्त्रधारी).[1]
Brief overview and origin
Astras are supernatural weapons which can be invoked using Mantras. In battle, the warrior would use the Mantra to convert any weapon (usually an arrow) into a divine weapon. There are four classes of weapons. The origin of Astras is elaborated in the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, which is a dialogue between Sage Narada and Shiva.
When Narada asks Shiva about the origin of Astras, the god narrates the story- Eons ago, when the universe wasn't created, Vishnu assumed many forms for his own amusement. Eventually, he assumed the form of Brahma and created the universe. In order to protect the universe from some wicked beings of his own creation, Vishnu created the Sudarshana Chakra. However, only he could wield the Chakra, while none of the gods and kings could do so. Hence, using the power of the Sudarshana Chakra, Vishnu created over a hundred different Astras. They were categorised according to their origin- from Vishnu's mouth, chest, thighs, and feet, and other parts like the upper chest, waist, and lower abdomen.
Summoning of an 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.[citation needed]
Astras in Hindu epics
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, Lakshmana, Meghanada (Indrajit), Ravana, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Arjuna and other warriors. In the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Rama had more astras than any other warrior. It is believed that Rama possessed all the astras.[2][3]
The divya ("divine")[4] astras were generally invoked into arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything. Ashwatthama invoked Brahmashirshstra 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][6]
| Astra | Deity | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmastra | Brahma | It is the celestial weapon of Brahma. It could destroy entire armies at once and could also counter most other astras. It is described to be invincible and a supreme weapon in the Matsya Purana.[7] In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifests with the head of Brahma as its tip. In the Mahabharata era, Parashurama, 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 kavacha, the invincible armour of Brahma. Atikaya, one of Ravana's sons, possessed the invincible armour of Brahma that could only be pierced by a Brahmastra. He was killed by Lakshmana, brother of Rama, using a Brahmastra.[8] |
| Trishula | Shiva | It is the trident of Shiva. According to Shaiva tradition, the trishula is the most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology, infallible, and can destroy anything, except Shiva himself and Parvati. |
| Sudarshana Chakra | Vishnu | It is the celestial discus of Vishnu, created for him by Vishvakarma. It is believed to be the most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology, according to Vaishnava traditions, is infallible, and flies at the command of Vishnu. It could be stopped only by Vishnu's wish.[9][10] It was used by Krishna, Vishnu's eighth avatar, to behead his cousin Shishupala.[11] |
| Vibhuti | Devi | It is a celestial weapon of Devi offered to Barbarika by a Brahmin, having the ability to, "split the vital centre of the body of an enemy". It is described as possessing ash that resembled saffron, and when released, spills the ash on the vulnerable positions of the enemy combatants, not affecting allies.[12] When arrows were released after the ash was spilled against the enemy, it is stated to destroy them without failing.[13] Barbarika employed this in the Kurukshetra War, planning to singlehandedly defeat the Kaurava army, but was slain by Krishna before his plan could be carried out due to a previous life curse.[14] |
| Indrastra | Indra | It is the celestial weapon of Indra. It is stated to multiply itself into thousands and attack the enemy with devastating effect, as employed by Arjuna in the Mahabharata.[15] It is also possessed by some other warriors like Lakshmana, Meghanada, and Rama. |
| Vasavishakti | Indra | It is a weapon described to be the shakti (divine energy) of Indra. It could be used only once and upon usage, it would unfailingly kill the opponent. It was employed by Karna against Ghatotkacha to kill him in the Kurukshetra War.[16] |
| Prasvapastra | Vasus | It is a weapon that is stated to cause the afflicted to fall asleep on the battlefield. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma was stopped by Narada from using this weapon against his guru, Parashurama.[17] In the Ramayana, Rama is described as having this weapon. |
| Agneyastra | Agni | It is the celestial weapon of Agni. When discharged, it is said to emit flames inextinguishable through normal means. Arjuna used it against Angaraparna, the gandharva. Aurva offered the astra to Sagara.[18] |
| Varunastra | Varuna | It is the celestial weapon of Varuna. The weapon discharged is stated to release torrential volumes of water. This weapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra.[19] It is possessed by Rama, Indrajit, Ravana, Lakshmana, Arjuna, Bhishma, and Drona. |
| Manavastra | Manu | It is the celestial weapon of Manu. It is stated to carry the target hundreds of thousands of yojanas away.[20] It could inspire humane traits in an evil being. This weapon was used by Rama on the rakshasa, Maricha in the Ramayana.[21] Arjuna also possesses this weapon.[22] |
| Varunapasha | Varuna | It is the noose of Varuna.[23] It is described to bear seven loops, capable of torturing sinners, and allowing no escape.[24] Warriors including Rama, Indrajit and Arjuna possessed this weapon. |
| Bhaumastra | Bhumi | It is the celestial weapon of Bhumi. The weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels. Arjuna is described as having employed this astra in the Mahabharata.[25] |
| Bhargavastra | Parashurama | It is the celestial weapon of Parashurama. Karna uses this astra to counter the Indrastra in the Mahabharata.[26] |
| Nagastra | Nagas | It is a celestial weapon associated with the naga race. It is stated to have an unerring aim and take on the form of a snake, proving deadly upon impact. Arjuna used this against Susharma, and Karna is also described as possessing it.[27] |
| Nagapasha | Nagas | It is a noose affiliated with the naga race. Upon impact, this weapon is stated to bind the target in coils of living venomous snakes.[28] In the Ramayana, it is used against Rama and Lakshmana by Indrajit. Arjuna obtained it from his wife Ulupi. |
| Garudastra | Garuda | It is the celestial weapon of Garuda. It is commonly employed to counter the nagastra. It is possessed by Arjuna, and also used by Rama in the Ramayana.[29] |
| Anjalikastra | Indra | It is a celestial weapon affiliated with Indra. It was employed by Arjuna to kill Karna, which passed through his chest when his wheel was stuck in the mud.[30] |
| Vayavyastra | Vayu | It is the celestial weapon of Vayu. It is stated to bring about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground. During the Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama used this weapon to penetrate the illusions made by Anjanaparvan. Arjuna is stated to use this astra against Drona.[31] Indrajit, and Rama also had this weapon. |
| Suryastra | Surya | It is the celestial weapon of Surya. It is stated to produce a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about and dry up water bodies while discharging fire.[32] |
| Maghavana | Indra | It is a celestial weapon of Indra. It is described to be a swift and flaming weapon during crossfire, especially used in illusionary warfare. Arjuna obtained this weapon from Indra.[33] |
| Vajra | Indra | It is the personal thunderbolt of Indra. It is stated to create bolts of lightning to attack targets. Indra gave this astra to his son Arjuna.[34] |
| Mohiniastra | Mohini | It is a celestial weapon named for Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu. It is described as producing a mesmerising song and dispelling any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity. Arjuna used this astra against the nivatakavachas and dispelled all illusions created by them.[35] |
| Tvashtarastra | Tvashtr | 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 and Rama possessed this weapon. |
| Samamohana/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 Prajnastra to stop its effect. |
| Parvatastra | Would cause a Parvata (mountain) to fall on the target from the skies. Arjuna possessed this astra. | |
| Brahmashirastra | Brahma | 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 Brahma 4 times stronger than Brahmastra. In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the four heads of 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. Could erase beings from the past, present and future.[36] |
| Brahmadanda | Brahma | 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 | 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.[37] Any attempt of invoking it a second time would rebound back on the user and his troops. In Mahabharata era, 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.[38] 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 or an opposing army as seen in the Mahabharata. Who ever tries to resist it will be destroyed. |
| Vaishnavastra | Vishnu | Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature. Infallible. Had to be obtained from 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. Rama used this weapon to destroy the energy of Bharghava Rama.[39] |
| Kaumodaki | Vishnu | Divine mace of Vishnu. Would destroy whole armies. Infallible and without parallel. Krishna slayed the Demon Dantavakra with it. |
| Sharanga | Vishnu | The bow of Vishnu, also called as Vaishnava dhanush was used by Rama then Krishna. |
| Nandaka | Vishnu | The sacred sword of Vishnu. It had a blade which was indestructible. It was used by Krishna to kill countless demons. |
| Vijaya | Shiva | The bow was made by Vishvakarma. Vijaya dhanush was claimed to be the personal bow of Shiva, which was regarded as the foremost of bows. Indra used it who on instruction from Shiva gave it to Sage Parashurama. Warrior Parashurama used this as his personal bow.[40][41] The Sanskrit name 'Vijaya' means 'victory' and this bow is said to give sure victory to the possessor. But the Vijaya bow unlike its name never made its welder victorious upon using it including Parashurama .it is so heavy that normal person cannot lift and weld it. Every time an arrow is released from this bow, it created a terrible twang, which is said to be loud as thunder causing terrible fear in enemies and produces flashes of light as brilliant as lightning, which blinds the enemy. Vijaya dhanush is unparalleled as Arjuna's Gandiva bow and could be used by someone of skilled levels. The only time Karna ever fought using the Vijaya dhanush[42] was on the 17th day of the Kurukshetra war when he fought against Arjuna and met his fate with Anjalikastra. |
| Pinaka | Shiva | Also called as Shiva dhanush, was the bow of Shiva, which he used to kill countless Asuras in battle (The city of Tripura was destroyed by Shiva using the Pinaka). It was given to Parashurama By Shiva. |
| Maheshvarastra | Shiva | 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. Lakshmana is described to employ it against Indrajit.[43] |
| Rudrastra | Shiva | 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. In Mahabharata Arjuna uses this astra in war against 30 Million Nivatakavachas and Kalakeyas. Only Arjuna possessed this weapon in Mahabharata.[44] |
| Pashupatastra | Shiva | 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 Dvapara Yuga, only Arjuna possessed Pashupatastra.[45] In Treta Yuga, sage Vishwamitra possessed this weapon [46] |
| Parashu | Shiva | The Parashu (axe) was an unconquerable and indestructible divine weapon given to Parashurama by his guru Shiva along with other divine weapons due to the extreme devotion of Parashurama. Parashurama later gave this axe to Ganesha. Parashurama means Rama who wields the axe as Rama was the name Parashurama was known by until he acquired the axe from Shiva. |
| Chandrahasa | Shiva | The divine sword Chandrahasa (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 Ravana with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three-eyed Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered. |
| Gandiva | Brahma | 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). |
| Sabdavedastra | This weapon prevents an opponent from turning invisible. Used by Arjuna against the Gandharva king Chitrasena. In the Mahabharata, only Arjuna and Krishna knew this weapon | |
| Antardhanastra | Kubera | The Antardhanastra 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 Arjuna and Drona used this astra in war. | |
| Sailastra | Vayu | 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 | The Visoshana was the drying weapon. It could dry anything.It was an amazing counter to the Varunastra. Arjuna obtained this weapon from Indra at heaven.[47] |
| Jyotikshastra | Surya | The Jyotikshastra could brighten a dark area. Arjuna had this astra in the Mahabharata. |
| Sauparna | The Sauparnatra 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 | Vishnu | The Govardhana was a powerful bow of Vishnu. During the Mahabharata, Vishnu gave Vidura this bow. |
