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Questions tagged [weapon]

For questions about Astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र), a divine/supernatural weapon like Brahmaastra, Trishul, Sudarshana Chakra etc.

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26 views

What are the weapons of Pradyumna and Kamadeva?

Does Pradyumna use the weapons of Kamadeva - bow and arrow I assume - since he is the espousal of Kamadeva? Maybe for that avatara, Kamadeva becomes another, or is merged with another, or maybe ...
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why didn't Lord Shiva use a weapon to kill Aadi?

According to Matsya Purana, Lord Shiva killed mayavi daitya Aadi after knowing that she isn't Parvati Devi: The son of Andhakasura and the brother of Bakasura called Aadi performed strict Tapas to ...
1 vote
0 answers
19 views

Lord Surya's items symbolism

In Surya's iconography, he usually appears in two forms, having 4 hands: in one form, he holds two lotus flowers and the other hands perform the varadamudra and the abhayamudra (boon and refuge mudras)...
1 vote
0 answers
14 views

Viśvakarman helping Indra kill his son

Tvaṣt is also known as Viśvakarman. His sons Trishira and Vritra were killed by Indra using Vajra weapon. From Dadhichi's bone, Viśvakarman made those Vajra and other divine weapons. Why did ...
2 votes
2 answers
697 views

Is the roudra weapon really the same weapon as the pashupata weapon?

As I know, when Arjuna did penance to Indra, Shiva referred to the pashupata weapon as "roudra" but also as a pashupata, implying that it is another name of the weapon according to Shiva: '"O great ...
26 votes
3 answers
11k views

Who gave weapons to Shri Krishna and Balarama and how?

If I remember, Shri Krishna and Balarama didn't have the weapons Sudarshana chakra and Hala respectively with them when they were fighting with Kamsa. So I am assuming they got these weapons later. ...
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Who is Vijayavalli, wife of the Sudarshana Chakra?

I just performed a Griha Pravesam, the Hindu house warming ceremony, and I noticed an interesting Mantra that the priest chanted. The Mantra, which I assume was from the Pancharatra Agamas, was ...
0 votes
1 answer
99 views

List of characters who have been able to Withstand Lord Vishnu's chakra or Shiva's Trisula?

Do the epics and Purānas mention any characters who have been able to resist and withstand the effects of Lord Vishnu's chakra or Lord Shiva's Trisula in a battle? If possible, please provide a ...
1 vote
1 answer
66 views

How is use of naagastra by karna justified if other scriptures invalidate it?

Quoting from mahabharat here The Suta's son then fixed on his bow-string that foe-killing, exceedingly keen, snake-mouthed, blazing, and fierce shaft, which had been polished according to rule, and ...
0 votes
0 answers
39 views

Armor in Vedic/Hindu India

How exactly did Hindu/Vedic armor look like especially for Kashatryia regarding the Kavacha.
4 votes
5 answers
2k views

Who possessed Pashupatastra other than Arjuna and Shiva?

Shiva gave Pashupatastra to Arjuna but who possessed it besides those two?
10 votes
3 answers
6k views

Is Indradhanush really bow of Indra?

This question came to my mind when I heard/noticed about Indradhanush (hindi/Sanskrit name for Rainbow). So If Indradhanush is really Bow of Indra does it have a significance? Scientifically ...
4 votes
2 answers
192 views

Like Sudarshana Chakra, do any other weapons have a form?

The Sudarshana Chakra is said to have a form somewhat: Like the Sudharshana Chakra, do any other weapons also have an anthropomorphic form? What, if any, scriptures mention this?
1 vote
0 answers
42 views

Are there instances when Brahma used the Brahmastra?

Siva uses the Pashupatasstra as his ultimate weapon and Vishnu the Vaishnavastra or Narayanastra. Brahma is not depicted as engaging in war that frequently - but is he known to have used his own ...
16 votes
3 answers
14k views

Why didn't Ravana use the Chandrahasa sword against Lord Rama?

From http://ramayana.tigercoder.com/07uttara/uttara_016.html: “After being spoken to in this way by Lord Shiva, Ravana, the lord of Lanka replied: ‘O Lord Shiva, if you are pleased with me, grant ...
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Primary weapon of kalki

Many of the avatars of Vishnu that has happened, who were supposed to kill someone or destroy something has some kind of primary weapons. Though they all can use various kinds of weapons, but had one ...
6 votes
4 answers
18k views

what is the difference between astra & Shastra?

I want to know the difference between astra & Shastra and What type of astra & Shastra use in Mahabharata & Ramayana ?
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0 answers
155 views

Is Krishna answering the question "who is the better wielder of weapons" between Arjuna and Rama in BG 10.31?

https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/10/verse/31 पवन: पवतामस्मि राम: शस्त्रभृतामहम् | झषाणां मकरश्चास्मि स्रोतसामस्मि जाह्नवी || 31|| BG 10.31: Amongst purifiers, I am the wind, and amongst ...
5 votes
5 answers
1k views

Did Vishnu ever use his mace Kaumodaki?

He used the Chakra a lot and also his bow. I can't think of an occasion when he used his mace either as himself or an avatar.
3 votes
0 answers
78 views

Which astras can be countered by surrendering to them?

In the answer to this question Are Vaishnavastra and Narayanastra the same? It is stated that Narayanastra can be made harmless by surrendering to it. Usually astras are countered by the same astra or ...
2 votes
0 answers
82 views

Are these the most powerful astra of each of the tridevas?

I have come across people who say the most powerful astra of Tridevas are: Lord Shiva- शिवज्ज्वर अथवा माहेश्वरज्जवर(Shivjjwar or Maaheshwarjjwar) Lord Vishnu- विष्णुज्वर(Vishnujwar) Lord Brahmaa- ...
4 votes
0 answers
99 views

Mighty warriors in Mahabharata and Ramayana who were left handed

Can you give references of mighty warriors in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana who were left handed in using Bow & Arrow, Mace etc weapons in battlefield ?
2 votes
0 answers
90 views

What were the circumstances surrounding Srutayudha's birth and how did he become king of Kalinga?

Srutayudha (aka Srutayusha) was king of Kalinga who fought on side of Kauravas in Mahabharata. And Suvala's son Sakuni, and Salya, Jayadratha and the two princes of Avanti named Vinda and Anuvinda, ...
1 vote
1 answer
154 views

Which astra or celestial weapon contains the power of Shiva's third eye?

Shiva has many astras that are considered to be very destructive such as the Raudrastra and Pashupatastra. My exact question is which astra or celestial weapon contains the power of Shiva's third eye?
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why do Hindu Gods carry weapons?

I always wonder why Hindu Gods carry weapons. I mean they are "Gods", why do they need weapons?
0 votes
1 answer
117 views

Which astra resists Varunastra?

Varunastra is a celestial weapon that unleashes water and is used as an encounter to Agneyastra, which releases fires and flames. My question is, how do you counter Varunastra?
3 votes
1 answer
560 views

How do you counter Sammohanastra?

Arjuna used Sammohanastra in Virat army that put the Kuru army to sleep. Sammohanastra is a weapon that puts an enemy to sleep. If somebody hurled agneyastra or fire weapon, then you counter attack ...
1 vote
1 answer
238 views

Is it possible to use astras in Kali Yuga

Is it possible for human to use ancient weapons in Kaliyuga? Can humans in Kaliyuga really control it? How much time does it take to understand those weapons?
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

When did Vishnu destroy trident of Shiva?

Vishnu Sahasranama stotram consist of thousand names of Lord Vishnu. The most popular one is from Anushasana parva of Mahabharata which was said by Bhishma to Yudhishtira. But there are other versions ...
20 votes
3 answers
3k views

What did the Pandavas do with the oldest sword in the world?

In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma gives advice to Yudishtra and the Pandavas concerning how to be a good king and how to be good person, while he's lying on a bed of arrows after the end ...
5 votes
1 answer
252 views

How much destructive the earlier weapons were?

We often hear of various weapons used by various Gods and different other people, which are said to be almost undefeatable. I want to know is there anything written in texts describing these weapons ...
3 votes
4 answers
7k views

What are Brahmashirsha and Brahmanda astras?

The Brahmastra was a weapon created by Brahma. It was considered a very destructive weapon. The Brahmastra never missed its mark. In the Mahabharata, a few Maharathis possessed the knowledge to invoke ...
3 votes
0 answers
83 views

Was Vasishtha's Brahmadanda a weapon or was it an embodiment of a Brahmin's Tapas?

"danda" just means stick - so it is unlikely that it was a weapon. So when vishwamitra attacked vasishtha - did Vasishtha just use his stick to focus the power of his tapas to repel ...
21 votes
2 answers
8k views

How did Krishna get Vishnu's Sharanga Bow?

As I discuss in this answer, the divine architect Tvashta (AKA Vishwakarma) created two powerful bows, the Pinaka bow for Shiva and the Sharanga bow for Vishnu. Brahma once got Vishnu and Shiva to ...
6 votes
1 answer
381 views

Where can I find the details about the weapons that kshatriyas had at olden times?

Are there any Vedas, Puranas, or holy scripts that contain their descriptions?
4 votes
2 answers
973 views

Who are the warriors that possessed Brahmashirastra other than Arjuna and Ashwatthama?

EXPLANATION : Brahmashirastra was said to be used by arjuna and aswathamma in mahabharatha war in dwarapa yuga. I couldn't find any other wars explaining the use of Brahmashirastra in any other yugas....
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Did anyone ever receive Lord Shiva's Trishul as a boon?

In Hindu mythology,different weapons have been received from Lord Shiva.But I was wondering if there is any mention of anyone receiving Lord Shiva's Trishul as a boon.
2 votes
1 answer
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Can mantras help transfer energy miraculously to a person or object?

By means of a secret Mantra or formula a spiritual guru or God when pleased can donate or transfer spiritual energy to others... for example at the end of an arduous dedicated work or tapas to a ...
4 votes
0 answers
188 views

Durga Devi's Weapon that killed Mahishasura?

The Legend of Durga , slaying the demon Mahisha talks about that the gods combined their energies (shakti) into the female form of Durga, a fierce manifestation of the Goddess (Devi). She received all ...
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

How could Lakṣmaṇa's mantra to kill Indrajit really work?

Some folks consider the following śloka uttered by Lakṣmaṇa to be the mūla-mantra of Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. धर्मात्मा सत्यसन्धश्च रामो दाशरथिर्यदि || ९०-६-७१ पौरुषे चाप्रतिद्वन्द्वस्तदेनं जहि रावणिम् ...
4 votes
1 answer
955 views

Was Vibhishana powerful?

We all know that Vibhishana was a Brahmin-Daitya/Brahmin-Rakshasa and was an ardent follower of Lord Rama. But I think he didn't kill even a single person in the Rama-Ravana war. So, in my view, he ...
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

The other bow of Shiva - Ajagava

Lord Shiva had 2 bows - Pinaka and Ajagava. There are few stories associated with the first bow Pinaka like Sita swayamvar. Are there any distinct stories/incidents associated with Ajagava that have ...
14 votes
3 answers
1k views

How knowledge of weapons (shastra) शस्त्र got lost?

How did the knowledge of great weapons like Bramhastra got lost in Hinduism tradition? As can be seen in Ramayan and Mahabharat, Gurus used to give knowledge of weapons to their shishya which were ...
4 votes
1 answer
181 views

Are Itihasas and Puranas the only classes of scripture in which celestial weapons are used?

Ramayana, Mahabharata and many Puranas relate conflicts in which Divyastras like Brahmastra get used. Do these weapons occur in earlier scriptures like Vedas and Brahmanas or any scriptures written ...
6 votes
2 answers
13k views

What are Lord Shiva's Weaponry?

What are Lord Shiva's Weaponry?
4 votes
0 answers
626 views

What is story of THREE AND A HALF VAJRA?

I heard something about this, What is full story of three and a half vajra?
4 votes
0 answers
1k views

What was Karna's Nagastra?

In the Mahabharat there is an incident between the final encounter of Arjuna and Karna where Karna used his Nagastra against Arjuna. The Suta's son then fixed on his bow-string that foe-killing, ...
1 vote
0 answers
115 views

Why is the bow regarded as the foremost of weapons?

In this section of the Mahabharata, Nakula says: The bow, O grandsire, is regarded as the foremost of weapons in this world. My question is, what reason does the Mahabharata give for the bow being ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is the story of Vijaya bow?

Who was the original owner of Vijaya bow? However it is wielded by Indra Dev, Parashurama and Karna. Who created this bow?
1 vote
2 answers
263 views

What are the specific qualities of Lord Shiva's trishul?

Does any epic or purana describes about Lord Shiva's trishul briefly? Specially Shiva Purana & Mahabharata, if I'm not wrong, Upamanyu had described something about Shiva's trishul to Lord Krishna ...