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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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32 votes
3 answers
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What is the story behind the Brahmasthra? Was it actually ever fired?

In different Puranas there are mentions of the Brahmasthra which is one of the powerful weapons capable of destroying the whole world. I have seen usually in Purana TV serials, these astras (arrows) ...
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26 votes
3 answers
5k views

What is the story of the "Sudarśana Chakra"?

How did Lord Mahavishnu get the Sudarśana Chakra? Why is it called the ultimate weapon among other weapons?
Kiran RS's user avatar
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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. ...
Mr_Green's user avatar
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22 votes
1 answer
60k views

Why did Laxman get injured by Indrajit's 'shakti' weapon?

In Ramayana, Indrajit was able to hit Laxman by his special weapon named Shakti. Due to this Laxman went very near to death. Now Lord Hanuman went to Himalaya & brought Sanjivani. This way Laxman ...
Kedarnath's user avatar
  • 4,724
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 ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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 ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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 ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
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 ...
Lokesh's user avatar
  • 2,083
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the significance of the weapons and other items held by the Lord Vishnu?

Lord Vishnu holds a Disc (Chakra), Conch (Sankha), Komidi Gadha, and also holds other elements like a lotus in his hand. Is there any explanation in scriptures of why Lord Vishnu holds these ...
Shree Krishna's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
7k views

What is Lord Hanuman's weapon of choice from scriptures?

Lord Hanuman always depicted with carryinging a mace: But during few conversation with our in-house user Sree Charan, he said There is no explicit reference that Hanuman used Gada/mace. In ...
Ankit Sharma's user avatar
  • 6,536
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 ...
Sarvabhouma's user avatar
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 ...
Yogi's user avatar
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10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Was a Brahmastra ever fired on Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma? If not, what would happen if fired on them?

I have read many incidents in which the Brahmastra was invoked and then later revoked. But was a Brahmastra ever fired on Vishnu, Shiva or Brahma or it came close to being fired on one of them? If ...
Pritam's user avatar
  • 849
9 votes
2 answers
10k views

How did Shri Krishna get the Shankh named Panchajanya?

As I know, Shri Krishna used to announce the end of the battle for the day in great Mahabharata battle using a Shankh named as Panchajanya. Does anyone know how He got this Shankh?
Mr_Green's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
2k views

What are the boons got by Kunti from Karna?

EXPLANATION : I ask this qusetion because of confusion about kunti getting a boon from karna The boon was karna should not kill the pandavas except arjuna and karna should not use same astra twice ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Story of Lord Vishnu's sword Nandaka?

According to Annamayya Telugu Movie, Lord Venkateswara sends his sword NANDAKA to take birth as Tallapaka Annamacharya to compose Telugu songs for Him, at request of Padmavathi Devi. I know Sudarshana ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
  • 31.6k
9 votes
0 answers
397 views

A Time Bomb placed in Patal lok

In 99th Adhyay of Udhyog-Parv of Mahabharat. When Krishna went to Hastinapur as a peace delegate. In the assembly of Hastinapur, Devrishi Narad told a story about his visit to Patal-Lok with Matli (...
V.Aggarwal's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why no Divine Weapons in Kali Yuga?

The ancient scriptures speak a lot on divine weapons used in the earlier yugas. There are mention of Brahmastra, Rudrastra, Narayanastra etc. But, why these weapons do not exist in the kali Yuga?
Indu Bhusan Nath's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

What is the respective arrangement of Lord Vishnu's weapons in 24 Salagramas?

There are 24 types of Salagramams available for Lord Vishnu. Shank, Chakra, Gadha and Lotus ---- in which order it should come for these 24 types of salagramams and in which purana it is mentioned?
Parthasarathy Raghavan's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
3k views

What are the symbols and weapons in the hand of Sadashiva?

Sadashiva is described as being eternal form of Lord Shiva. He is represented with Five-faces and ten hands. The five heads of Sadashiva are known as Sadyojata [West facing], Vamadeva [North facing], ...
Tezz's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
7k views

Description of metals in Vedas and Itihasas

I would like to know the metals and alloys named in the Vedas and Itihasas(Ramayana & Mahabharatha) with special attention to mention of Iron. The general assumption is the Itihasas events could ...
Naveen's user avatar
  • 3,780
8 votes
1 answer
422 views

Is it always a sin to make weapons?

In the Anushasana Parva of the Mahabharata, just like in the Shanti Parva, Bhishma gives advice to Yudishthira and concerning how to be a good king and how to be good person, while he is lying on a ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the significance of weapons? Why do gods carry multiple weapons?

Every Hindu God carries multiple weapons like Trishul, Chakra, Gada, Pharsha, Danda, Sword or Bow. The same god in different Murthis (statue) carries different weapons. If one weapon is powerful ...
pbvamsi's user avatar
  • 5,623
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why don't the Vanaras use weapons?

I want to know why the Vanara never used weapons such as swords, bows, chakras, clubs, etc., since it has always been shown in Valmiki Ramayana that the Vanara as Hanuman and Sugriva used wrestling, ...
Gabriel Alexander Gonzalez Agu's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
5k views

Where did the Brahmastra, which Bhagwan Rama launched to dry up the sea, eventually fall?

At the time when Lord Rama was on his way to Lanka, he asked the sea god (sagara) for help and to make way for his journey , but the sea god didn't offer any help. Then Shree Rama activated brahmastra....
Mirg Nitin's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Where did Lord Shiva's trident come from?

Where did it actually come from? I have many stories from many friends about how Lord Shiva's trident came. But I want to know the real way that it had formed.
user11990's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
897 views

What does 'Vajra' mean?

We have heard about the Vajra holded by Dev Indra, which was said to be from the bones of Rishi Dadhichi, but before that, while saving Devi Sati from a rakshas Rishi Dadhichi earned a boon from Lord ...
Mr. K's user avatar
  • 3,467
7 votes
2 answers
7k views

If Rama used Brahmastra on Ravana, why didn't Ravana turn to ashes?

Question 1: Did Lord Rama really use the Brahmastra on Ravana to kill him? If he did use it, then, Ravana's entire body should have turned to ashes. It would have even created a major natural ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
7 votes
2 answers
18k views

Why do images of Sudarshana have Yoga Narasimha on the other side?

I'm currently visiting India, and in the Vishnu temple in my native village of Poondi, I saw a shrine dedicated to Chakrathalwar. For those who don't know, that is the Sri Vaishnava name for ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Manthra of Asthras

In ancient Indian warfare Sastras and Astras were used. Sastra is a physical weapon that cuts/injures/kills/enemy while an Astra has a mantra associated with its use (projection). What records do we ...
Narasimham's user avatar
  • 2,652
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 ...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
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 ...
Say No To Censorship's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
271 views

Who gave Vajra or thunderbolt to Indra - Dadhichi or Usana?

In puranas Dadhichi is primarily known for sacrificing his life so the Devas, or benevolent celestial beings, could make the weapon called "Vajra" from his bones. After being driven out from Svarga, ...
Srimannarayana K V's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
193 views

Information on list of Sri Vishnu's weapons requested

Sri Madhvacharya, the propagator of Dvaita siddanta and the Brahma sampradaya, has authored a book called TantrasArasaMgraha. In the same book, under adhyAya 4, verse 18-20, Sri Madhvacharya lists ...
Vishwanath N's user avatar
  • 1,337
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 ?
Bhavin's user avatar
  • 4,927
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the significance of PAsha and Ankusha?

What is the importance PAsha and Ankusha in Devi's hands? I didn't see these in Sri Parvathi's hands, as Sri Parvathi either holding Kumara in one hand and Lotus in another hand, when along with ...
samolpp2's user avatar
  • 1,175
6 votes
2 answers
293 views

Mythology war fought without any weapons?

Have there been any wars fought without involvement of any physical weapons astras, but by using supernatural, divine, or yogic powers only? For example, pushing the enemy away with telekinetic ...
Tushar Seth's user avatar
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?
pushkar singh's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
5k views

How did Arjuna get the celestial bow Gandiva?

The bow Gandiva was created by Lord Brahma, the Creator. No ordinary person could wield the Gandiva bow. It was one of the most sought after celestial bows. And it was worshiped by Devas, Gandharvas ...
Uday Krishna's user avatar
  • 6,068
6 votes
2 answers
13k views

What are Lord Shiva's Weaponry?

What are Lord Shiva's Weaponry?
Shyam's user avatar
  • 208
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Arjun's inability to counter snake weapon of Karna

Arjuna had trained himself under Drona as a great archer. Drona had given him training on each and every weapon. Not only this, sensing a sure war between Pandavas and Kauravas, Krishna sent Arjuna to ...
Indu Bhusan Nath's user avatar
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.
S K's user avatar
  • 1
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 ...
V.Aggarwal's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
4k views

Why Lord Krishna saved Arjuna from Vaishnava Astra?

In mahabhartha arjuna was told to be saved from Vaishnava astra by Lord Krishna. A warrior named Bhagadatta used this astra against Arjuna, as Lord krishna stood up and the astra turned into a garland ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
5 votes
3 answers
6k views

What are the weapons used by Indra other than Vajra

This question is related to Rainbow question in which I ask about the validity of the word Indra-Dhanusha in Hindu Mythology. I want to know what are the other weapons Indra has since he is DevaRaja ...
Yogi's user avatar
  • 10.5k
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

What happened to the divine weapons after Mahabharatha war?

What happened to all those divine weapons after completion of Mahabharatha war? Where are those weapons now in kali Yuga? Who possess those weapons now? Were they dismantled or hidden somewhere? As ...
The Destroyer's user avatar
  • 31.6k
5 votes
1 answer
483 views

Mentioning of firearms or cannons in Hinduism Scriptures?

The two wikipedia articles says The earliest known depiction of cannon appeared in Song dynasty China as early as the 12th century, however solid archaeological and documentary evidence of ...
SwiftPushkar's user avatar
  • 32.2k
5 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why didn't Indrajit use Brahmastra against Rama and Lakshmana in the main war?

Indrajit was capable of using Brahmastra as he did against Lord Hanuman in Ashoka Vana (this incident is narrated in Sundara Kanda) Question: Why didn't Indrajit use the Brahmastra against Lord ...
Sakthi's user avatar
  • 4,196
5 votes
1 answer
448 views

Why does Brahma's Brahmastra destroy when his task is to create?

Lord Brahma is very well-known as the creator of the world. His task is concerned with creation. Lord Brahma's weapon is named "Brahmastra", and its work is to destroy. So when Lord Brahma is ...
Kedarnath's user avatar
  • 4,724
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 ...
Aby's user avatar
  • 10.2k