Vijaya (bow)

Vijaya
Relief of Karna wielding the Vijaya against Arjuna
Affiliation	Parashurama Karna
Texts	Brahmanda Purana Mahabharata

Vijaya (Template:Lang-sa), also called Vijaya Dhanusha (lit. 'Vijaya bow'), is a divine bow in Hindu tradition. It ensures victory to whoever wields this weapon but the wielder should possess prodigious talent. The bow was created by Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods, for Indra.

Legend

The bow Vijaya was specially made by Vishvakarma for Indra, when he was waging a war on Asuras.

Mahabharata

The Mahabharata discusses how the ownership of the bow was passed on to Karna:

My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to Bhrigu's son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of bows Bhrigu's son gave to me. With that bow I will contend in battle with the mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas. That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva. It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by Bhrigu's son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend in battle with the son of Pandu. I will, O Duryodhana, gladden thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz., Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors. .

— Attributed to Vyasa, Mahabharata

According to the Mahabharata, Parashurama took on Karna as his student. Karna committed the heinous sin of chating such a great personality by lying that he was a Brahmin out of the shame of being a lower caste. On finding out the truth, Lord Parashurama cursed him that all the knowledge which he obtained by cheating would would forsake him in the battlefield in front of his arch enemy. But Karna never used it as he was very boostful that he could secure victory without it. But this proved to be his biggest foolishness as everytime he faced Arjuna, he only got defeat at his hand. Realizing he was no match to Arjuna, Vijaya was used by Karna only during the Kurukshetra war, on the 17th day, when he was fighting against Arjuna as it was a life-or-death battle for him. But even with this bow, he wasn't able to prevail over Arjuna and suddenly his wheels got stuck out of the curse of intentionally killing a cow, started lifting the wheel. Out of fear for his life, he started to make defensive speeches to Arjuna that one should not attack a defenseless warrior for which Lord Shree Krishna chided him. Then on being realized by Lord Shree Krishna of tne various unforgivable heinous sins commited by Karna, Arjuna invoked the Anjalikastra from the Gandiva and beheaded him. Thus the sinful life of Karna came to an end.

Significance

In Shaiva tradition, the Vijaya was wielded by Shiva, and presented to his devotee, Parashurama. It is stated that the string of the bow cannot be broken by any astra, and that when mustered, it creates a blinding flash of light that is bright enough to leave one's enemy incapacitated.

See also

• Gandiva
• Sharanga
• Pinaka