divine astras

8/2/2019 Divine Astras

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DIVINE ASTRAS

The astras are transcendental, supernatural weapons created by the Lord, and presided over

by a specific Deity. In order to summon or use an astra, one must have the requiredknowledge, i.e., the specific mantra that will arm, direct, and disarm the astra. The

presiding deity, once properly invoked, endows the weapon, making it essentially

impossible for foes to counter its potency through regular means.

As described in sastra, specific conditions existed involving the usage of various astras, and

the violation of proper protocol could be fatal. Because of the power involved, theknowledge involving use of an astra was passed from guru to disciple by word of mouth

alone, and only the most qualified students were made privy to the information. Certain

astras had to be handed down directly from the presiding deity himself, as having

knowledge of the mantras alone was insufficient.

The importance of astras is described in particular detail in the Ramayana and

Mahabharata, which describes their use in epic battles. Various pastimes describe the use

of astras by archers such as Rama, Arjuna, and Bhisma. They generally invoked the astrasinto arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything. For example,

Ashwatthama invoked an astra using a blade of grass as his weapon.

One of the most famous astras is Pashupatastra, being the inconceivably potent and highly

destructive personal weapon of Lord Siva. He discharged Pashupatastra by means of hismind, eyes, words, or bow. Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors,

the Pashupata is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings.

In Mahabharata and Srimad Bhagavatam we also read about the foremost astra, SriBrahmastra, which will be discussed in tomorrow's segment.

Following are the primary astras mentioned in Ramayana and Mahabharata (Astra,Presiding Deity, Weapon's Effect):

Aindra astra:

Presiding Deity: Indra, the god of weatherWeapon's Effect: Would bring about a shower of arrows from the sky.

Agneya astra:

Presiding Deity: Agni, the god of fireWeapon's Effect: The weapon discharged would emit flames inextinguishable through

normal means.

Varuna astra:

Presiding Deity: Varuna, the god of water

Weapon's Effect: The weapon discharged would release torrential volumes of water. Thisweapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra.

Naga astra:

Presiding Deity: The Nagas


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Weapon's Effect: The weapon would have an un-erring aim and take on the form of a

snake, proving deadly upon impact.

Naga paasha:

Presiding Deity: The Nagas

Weapon's Effect: Upon impact, this weapon would bind the target in coils of livingvenomous snakes. In the Ramayana, it was used against Lord Rama and Lakshmana by

Indrajit.

Vayu astra:

Presiding Deity: Vayu, the god of wind

Weapon's Effect: Bring about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground.

Surya astra:

Presiding Deity: Surya, the sun god

Weapon's Effect: Create a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about.

Vajra astra:

Presiding Deity: IndraWeapon's Effect: Target would be struck with bolts of lightning (vajra referring to Indra's

thunderbolt).

Mohini astra:

Presiding Deity: Mohini, Visnu avatar

Weapon's Effect: Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity.

Twashtar astra:

Presiding Deity: Twashtri, the heavenly builder

Weapon's Effect: When used against a group of opponents (such as an army), would causethem to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other.

Sammohana/ Pramohana astra:

Presiding Deity:

Weapon's Effect: Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance.

Parvata astra:

Presiding Deity:

Weapon's Effect: Would cause a Parvata/mountain to fall on the target from the skies.

Brahmaastra:

Presiding Deity: Brahma, the Creator

Weapon's Effect: Would destroy entire hosts at once. Could also counter most other astras.

Brahmasirsha astra:

Presiding Deity: Brahma, the Creator

Weapon's Effect: Capable of killing devas. Was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit.


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is considered to be the most powerful of all.

There are numerous instances found within the Vedic scriptures wherein the Brahmastra isused, or its use is threatened. For example, there is the confrontation of Arjuna and

Ashwatthama in Mahabharata, where Arjuna retracts his weapon as ordered, but

Ashwatthama, unable to do so, instead sends it to attack Arjuna's unborn grandson,Parikshit, who is subsequently saved by Krishna. Ashwatthama did not have his bow and

arrow near him when he was confronted by Arjuna, so he took a piece of grass and after

silently invoking the mantra, he threw the straw at Arjuna, and it carried the power of theBrahmastra.

Similarly in the Ramayana, passages describe how the Brahmastra was used by Rama as

the final blow against the rakshasa Ravana, during their battle in Lanka.

In the Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana the following descriptions are given:

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.30: "When the rays of the two brahmastras combined, a greatcircle of fire, like the disc of the sun, covered all outer space and the whole firmament of

planets."

Purport by Srila Prabhupada: "The heat created by the flash of a brahmastra resembles the

fire exhibited in the sun globe at the time of cosmic annihilation. The radiation of atomicenergy is very insignificant in comparison to the heat produced by a brahmastra. The

atomic bomb explosion can at utmost blow up one globe, but the heat produced by the

brahmastra can destroy the whole cosmic situation. The comparison is therefore made to

the heat at the time of annihilation."

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.32: "Thus seeing the disturbance of the general populace and the

imminent destruction of the planets, Arjuna at once retracted both brahmastra weapons, asLord Sri Krishna desired."

Purport by Srila Prabhupada: "The theory that the modern atomic bomb explosions canannihilate the world is childish imagination. First of all, the atomic energy is not powerful

enough to destroy the world. And secondly, ultimately it all rests on the supreme will of the

Supreme Lord because without His will or sanction nothing can be built up or destroyed. It

is foolish also to think that natural laws are ultimately powerful. Material natures lawworks under the direction of the Lord, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. The Lord says

there that natural laws work under His supervision. The world can be destroyed only by the

will of the Lord and not by the whims of tiny politicians. Lord Sri Krishna desired that theweapons released by both Drauni and Arjuna be withdrawn, and it was carried out by

Arjuna at once. Similarly, there are many agents of the all-powerful Lord, and by His will

only can one execute what He desires."

divine astras

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