List of weapons used in Mahabharata and Ramayana | Which weapons were used in Ramayana or Lanka war? | Which weapons were used in Mahabharata or Kurukshetra war?
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Just before going to “List of weapons used in Mahabharata and Ramayana | Which weapons were used in Ramayana or Lanka war? | Which weapons were used in Mahabharata or Kurukshetra war?“, let us know a brief, basic and very important information.
Mahabharata or Kurushetra war took place at around 5k+ years before. Whereas, Ramayana or Lanka war took place at around 869,000+ years ago.
The main heroes of Mahabharata war are : Lord Sri Krishna, Bhima, Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Nakula, Sahadeva, Abhimanyu, Karna, etc.
The main heroes of Ramayana war are : Lord Sri Rama, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Sugriva, Angada, Jambavan, Nala, Neela, Meinda, Dvivida, etc.
All the Hindu Gods and Goddesses have their own unique weapons. Either they will be holding the weapons in their hands or can easily using the mantras or without using the mantras can make the weapons to appear whenever they require.
Starting from Lord Sri Vishnu, all the Devatas (Demigods) also have their own weapons.
These weapons are mostly used to slay and destroy the demons who are against the Dharma and want to spread the Adharma.
In Ramayana, Mahabharata, Srimad Bhagavata Purana and many other Hindu scripts elaborate explanation about these divine weapons used by Hindu Gods and Goddesses are provided.
First let us know the names and the Gods or Goddesses who are using these weapons, then later let us know the explanation about each of the weapons.
List of weapons used in Mahabharata and Ramayana are as given below:
1. Suryastra / Bhaskarastra : Lord Sri Surya Deva (Sun God) | 2. Garudastra : Lord Sri Garuda (the mount of Lord Sri Vishnu) | 3. Nagastra: Used by Nagas (serpents) |
4. Bhargavastra : Lord Sri Parashurama | 5. Agneyastra : Lord Agni Deva | 6. Vayavyastra: Lord Sri Vayu Deva | 7. Bhaumyastra: Used to dig soil (Here Bhauma means earth / soil) |
8. Sammohanastra: Lord Indra Sri Deva | 9. Pashupatastra: Lord Shiva | 10. Aindrastra: Lord Sri Indra Deva | 11. Yamyadandastra: Lord Sri Yama Deva | 12. Pramohanastra: To spread illusion |
13. Gandharvastra: Gandharvas (A type of Demigods) | 14. Vajrastra: Lord Sri Indra Deva | 15. Jrumbhanastra: Lord Sri Krishna. | 16. Raudrastra: Lord Rudra (Shiva) |
17. Vasavi Shakti: Lord Indra Sri Deva | 18. Suparnastra: Used to encounter Nagas (serpents) | 19. Narayanastra: Lord Srimann Narayana (Vishnu) | 20. Vaishnavastra: Lord Sri Vishnu |
21. Brahmashirastra: Lord Sri Brahma Deva | 22. Parjanyastra: Lord Sri Indra Deva | 23. Varunastra: Lord Sri Varuna Deva (Ocean God) | 24. Prasvapana / Prasvapastra: Used by Vasus (a type of Demigods – Bhishma belonged to this group of Demigods. |
25. Brahmastra: Lord Sri Brahma Deva | 26. Mahendrastra: Lord Sri Indra Deva | 27. Prajnastra: Used to encounter Sammohanastra | 28. Antardhamastra: Lord Kubera |
29. Varunapasha (Varunapashastra): Lord Varuna Sri Deva (The Ocean God) | 30. Tvastara: Used by Tvastara | 31. Indrajala: Lord Sri Indra Deva | 32. Vishoshanastra: Used to heal a wound | etc.
Explanation of weapons used in Mahabharata and Ramayana is as given below:
1. Suryastra / Bhaskarastra: Lord Sri Surya is the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon.
Suryastra or Bhaskarastra is mainly used to clear the darkness and also to end the maya / illusions. Here Surya and Bhaskara means Lord Sri Surya Deva (Sun God) and Astra means weapon.
2. Garudastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Garuda Deva.
This astra / weapon is mainly used to counter the Nagastra. Here Naga means serpents and astra means weapon. This is a very powerful astra / weapon used to counter the serpents in both Ramayana and Mahabharata wars.
3. Nagastra: These belong to a group of Devatas (Demigods) who are from the Nagavamsha (Nagavansh) (serpent family).
Naga Devatas (Demigods) are the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon. Here Naga means serpents and Astra means weapon.
This astra / weapon is mainly used to tying up the enemy and to nullify the enemy’s power. This was used by Meghanada to tie Lakshmana in the Ramayana war.
4. Bhargavastra: Svayam (directly) Lord Sri Vishnu’s avatar, that is, Lord Sri Parashurama is the abhimani Devata (controlling God) for this astra / weapon.
Bhargavastra has the capability to release unlimited number of arrows and other astras / weapons in a given single time.
Lord Sri Prashurama has given this astra / weapon to few of his students like Bhishma, Drona and Karna during the Mahabharata or Dwapara Yuga time.
5. Agneyastra: Lord Sri Agni Deva is the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon.
This astra / weapon can emit inextinguishable fiery flames and has the capability of burning the entire troupe of the enemy. Agneyastra = Agni + Astra. Here agni means fire and astra means weapon.
6. Vayavyastra: Lord Sri Vayu Deva is the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon.
This astra / weapon’s job is to increase the speed of the wind (Vayu) enormously and to cause huge destructive to the enemies.
This astra / weapon is also used to stop heavy rain (to decrease the Varunastra’s working capability) by blowing heavy wind and to scatter the clouds.
7. Bhaumyastra: This is connected with the earth (Here Bhaumya means ‘related to Bhumi’, that is, related to earth / soil).
Bhaumyastra is usually used to dig soil (like tunnels). Here Bhauma means Bhumi or earth or soul and astra means weapon.
8. Sammohanastra: Lord Sri Indra Deva is the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon.
Here sammohanastra = sam + mohana + astra = all together + delusion or illusion (sleep) + weapon.
When this astra / weapon is enabled, this astra / weapon makes enemies to go into deep sleep and thus makes the enemies to be completely incapable of fighting.
This may continue until the enemies use even more powerful astra / weapon to counter this Sammohanastra. Prajnastra is the counter astra / weapon for this.
9. Pashupatastra: Lord Shiva is the main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon.
Here, Pashupatastra = Pashu + pati + astra = Pashupati means Lord Shiva (that is, pati / controller of all the animals / beasts + weapon).
The main job of this astra / weapon is to release unlimited number of highly powerful animals / beasts. These animals / beasts are really capable of destroying almost anything on this earth.
10. Aindrastra: This astra / weapon’s main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) is Lord Sri Indra Deva.
Aindrastra adds a huge shower of flames of arrows to go and attack the opponent. Thus causing a great amount of destruction to the enemies.
11. Yamyadandastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Yama Deva (The God of death).
Here, Yamyadandastra = Yamya + danda + astra = Yama’s + danda / thick stick or gada / club + astra / weapon. This is usually used to give punishment to sinners at Yama Loka.
12. Pramohanastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) is not known. If this astra / weapon is enabled, this astra / weapon makes the enemies to fall asleep.
Also this astra / weapons makes the enemies incapable of fighting completely. People can’t move if this astra / weapon is used.
13. Gandharvastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapons are Gandharvas (A group of Demigods – King of these Demigods is Lord Kubera).
Gandharvas are the Devatas (Demigods) who are related to singing and music. Also, these Gandharvas are masters in maya / illusion using their singing and music capabilities.
When this astra / weapon is enabled, it creates a huge confusion / illusion among the enemies. The confusion / illusion that is created by enabling this astra / weapon is highly difficult to counter attack.
14. Vajrastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) is Lord Sri Indra Deva. This is one of the most powerful astra / weapon of Lord Sri Indra Deva.
This astra / weapon was built using the backbone / spinal cord of the great Rishi Dadhichi. This astra / weapon can strike the enemy with powerful bolts of lightning.
As the name suggest, Vajrastra = Varja + astra = as strong as Varja / diamond + astra / weapon. This astra / weapon is one of the most destructive weapon mentioned in both Ramayana and Mahabharata.
15. Jrumbhanastra: Jrumbhanastra = जृम्भण / Jrumbhana + astra. जृम्भण / Jrumbhana in Sanskrit means falling asleep or yawning continuously and falling asleep + astra / weapon.
Same astra / weapon was used by Lord Sri Krishna to make Lord Shiva to fall asleep. This happened during the war between Lord Sri Krishna and an asura (demon) Banasura.
In battle Lord Shiva was supporting the asura (demon) Banasura. Banasura was the son of King Mahabali (Bali Chakravarti).
16. Raudrastra: The main abhimani Devata of this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Rudra Deva (Lord Shiva).
In a place called Hiranyapura, the great archer Arjuna used this weapon to destroy invincible asuras (demons) called as Kalakeyas.
These Kalakeyas were the descendants of Kaalakaa. This Kaalakaa was the daughter of Vaishvaarana and this Vaishvaarana was the son of Danu.
17. Vasavi Shakti: This is the spear of Lord Sri Indra Deva. When this is used as a hurling astra / weapon, it immediately strikes the enemies and kills them immediately.
Same astra / weapon was used by Karna to kill the Bhimasena’s monster son Ghatotkacha in Mahabharata or Kurukshetra war.
Same astra / weapon was used by Indrajita (Meghanada – son of Ravana) against Lakshmana in Ramayana war.
But since, the Great Lord Sri Vayu Deva’s son Lord Sri Hanuman immediately brought the Sanjeevani herb and thus the life of the Lord Sri Rama’s brother Lakshmana was saved.
18. Suparnastra: Here Suparnastra = Suparna + astra. Souparni is the wife of Lord Sri Garuda Deva (divine vahana / vehicle of Lord Sri Vishnu).
This astra / weapons has connection with birds like eagles etc. and thus can devour snakes and protect against Nagastra (protect against Nagas / serpents). This astra / weapon is mainly used to counter Nagastra.
19. Narayanastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling God) for this astra / weapon is Lord Srimann Narayana (Vishnu). Narayana + astra = Narayana’s astra / weapon.
As soon as this astra / weapon is enabled, a fiery chakra / discus appears in the akasha/ sky. Later this astra / weapon releases unlimited number of arrows, spears, maces etc. at it’s enemies.
The more the enemy tries to go against this astra / weapon, this astra / weapon attacks it’s enemies in more fiery way (more powerful way).
This same astra / weapon was used by Ashvattama (He is an avatar of Lord Shiva) against the Pandavas in the great war of Mahabharata (Kurukshetra war).
Later, Lord Sri Krishna instructs everyone to bow down (sharanagati / total surrender) to this astra / weapon. Thus this astra / weapon calms down and retracts.
20. Vaishnavastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling God) is Lord Sri Vaishnava or Lord Sri Vishnu).
This super astra / weapon is infallible and will surely destroy the target in any form, that is, it may be Daivi / divine or non-divine, it will surely destroy the enemy.
This is the supreme power of Lord Sri Vishnu and this astra / weapon can only be nullified by Lord Sri Vishnu himself and no one else.
21. Brahmashirastra: Brahmashirastra = Brahma + shira + astra = Brahma Deva + shira / head + astra / weapon.
The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Brahma Deva. This astra / weapon is one of the powerful weapons of Lord Sri Brahma Deva.
This astra / weapon manifests from the head (in Sanskrit head means ‘shira’) of Lord Sri Brahma Deva. Thus the name Brahmashirastra.
Ashvattama, Arjuna, Drona, Rishi Agnivesha had the powers to enable this great astra / weapon.
This astra / weapon is so powerful, that as soon as this astra / weapon is used against an enemy, this astra / weapon produces large amount of fiery meteors to fall from sky and if this astra / weapon strikes a particular place –
That place will get destroyed completely and no plants or trees or even grass can be grown in that particular huge amount of area for 12 Brahma years.
22. Parjanyastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) for this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Indra Deva.
Parjanya means rain water. Lord Sri Indra Deva’s another name is Parjanya.
Using this same Parjanya (related to rain and water) astra / weapon, Arjuna hit the ground to make a huge crater on the land when Bhishma was sleeping on the Sharashayya (bed of arrows) to quench Bhisma’s thirst.
During the war against Banasura, Lord Sri Krishna used this astra / weapon.
23. Varunastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Varuna Deva.
This astra / weapon is used to bring heavy rains and this same astra / weapon is used to counter the Agneyastra (see above).
24. Prasvapana / Prasvapastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon are Vasus. Here Prasvapana = Prasva + apana = sleep + causing.
To make someone to fall asleep or to make unconscious this astra / weapon is used.
25. Brahmastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Brahma Deva.
Just with this one arrow, unlimited number of arrows appear and will cause a huge destruction in large scale and also this same astra / weapon is capable of countering most of the other astras / weapons.
26. Mahendrastra: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon is Lord Sri Indra Deva. Mahendra is another name of Lord Sri Indra Deva.
Mahendrastra = Maha + Indra + astra. Mahendra = Maha + Indra, that is, the greatest among all the Devatas (Demigods).
Same Mahendrastra was used by Arjuna who was attacked by 13 Maharathis (this included Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya, Salya, Bhurishrava and others) in the great Mahabharata war.
27. Prajnastra: Here Prajnastra = Prajna + astra = consciousness + weapon. This is mainly used to counter the effects of Sammohanastra (see above) and Pramohanastra (see above) weapon.
The main work of this astra / weapon is bring back to consciousness who were under the attack of Sammohanastra and Pramohanastra.
28. Antardhamastra: This astra / weapon belongs to the Devata (Demigod) of wealth Lord Kubera (The half brother of Lanka King Ravana).
Antardhana = Antar + dhana = from inside + disappear. This astra / weapon is mainly used to disappear suddenly.
This is used to make things, humans, places etc. to disappear suddenly from a given point of time from a given point of place.
29. Varunapasha (Varunapashastra): The main controlling abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) is Lord Sri Varuna Deva.
This is a ‘Noose’ of Lord Sri Varuna Deva and is capable of tying anything including humans, Demigods, Rakshasas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, etc. in an inescapable hold.
30. Tvastara: This is a personified astra / weapon of Tvastara. Tvastara is a heavenly builder.
This astra / weapon creates a maya / illusion and causes the user to suddenly appear at multiple spots at the same time. This indeed confuses the enemy and his troops.
31. Indrajala: The main abhimani Devata (controlling Demigod) of this astra / weapon Lord is Sri Indra Deva.
Indrajala = Indra + jala = Indra’s maya (magic / illusion). Anyone who comes under the clutches of this astra / weapon will be very difficult to get out of the maya / magic / illusion.
32. Vishoshanastra: The main work of this astra / weapon is to heal any wound and / or make it dry.
Continue reading about Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) :
Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) information, facts, etc.
Mahabharata information, facts, significance, importance etc.
Ramayana information, facts, significance, importance, etc.
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