Astra (weapon)

In Hinduism, an astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र) was a supernatural weapon, presided over by a specific deity. To summon or use an astra required knowledge of a specific incantation/invocation, when armed. The deity invoked would then endow the weapon, making it impossible to counter through regular means. Specific conditions existed involving the usage of astras, the violation of which could be fatal. Because of the power involved, the knowledge involving an astra was passed from a teacher to a pupil by word of mouth alone, and only following the establishment of the student's character. Certain astras had to be handed down from the deity involved directly, knowledge of the incantation being insufficient.

Astras come into importance mainly in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where they are used in the great battles described in each epic. They are depicted as used by archers such as Rama, Lakshman, Arjuna, Meghnad, Bheeshma etc. The astras were generally invoked into arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything—Ashwatthama invoked an astra using a blade of grass as his weapon.

Astra	Deity	Effect
Indraastra	Indra, god of weather	Would bring about a 'shower' of arrows from the sky.
Vasavi Shakti	Indra, god of Weather	Magical dart of Indra. Used by Karna against Ghatotkacha in the Mahabharata war.
Agneyastra	Agni, god of fire	The weapon discharged would emit flames inextinguishable through normal means.
Varunastra	Varuna, god of water	The weapon discharged would release torrential volumes of water. This weapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra.
Devastra	Devas	Mythical equivalent(some believe to be real and even in this modern age, Attainable). of modern military missiles.
Asurastra	Asuras	Mythical equivalent( that some believe to be real and even in this modern age, Attainable). of modern biological missiles.
Manavastra	Manu (Hinduism), father of the human race	Could overcome supernatural protections and carry the target hundreds of miles away. Can inspire humane traits in an evil being.
Varunapasha	Varuna	A powerful noose which not even other gods can escape from.
Bhaumastra	Bhūmi, goddess of earth	The weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels.
Bhargavastra	Bhargavas, clan to which Parashurama belonged	Parashurama gave this astra to Karna. It caused great damage to Pandavas army. This astra possesses Parashurama's skill in archery. It could bring a shower of much more powerful weapons than the Indrastra and could smash any military formation and cut through all enemy defenses.
Nagastra	The Nagas	The weapon would have an inerring aim and take on the form of a snake, proving deadly upon impact.
Nagapasha	The Nagas	Upon impact, this weapon would bind the target in coils of living venomous snakes.(in the Ramayana, it was used against Lord Rama and Lakshmana by Indrajit)
Garudastra	Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu	The only weapon that can defend Nagaastra when attacked by the opponents. It was used by Lord Rama in Ramayana and by kauravas against Pandavas in Mahabharata.
Vayvayastra	Vayu, god of wind	Bring about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground.
Suryastra	Surya, god of the sun	Create a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about and dry up water bodies.
Vajra	Indra, god of the skies	Target would be struck with bolts of lightning (vajra referring to Indra's thunderbolt).
Mohini	Mohini, an Avatar of Vishnu	Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity.
Twashtar	Twashtri, the heavenly builder	When used against a group of opponents (such as an army), would cause them to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other.
Sammohana/Pramohana		Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance.
Parvataastra		Would cause a Parvata/mountain to fall on the target from the skies.
Brahmaastra	Brahma, the Creator	Would destroy entire hosts at once. Could also counter most other astras. Mythical equivalent( that some believe to be real and even in this modern age, Attainable). of modern biological missiles to the modern nuclear weapon.
Brahmashira	Brahma, the Creator	Capable of killing devas. Was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit. It is thought that the Brahmashira is the evolution of the Brahmastra, 4 times stronger than Brahmastra.
Brahmadanda	Brahma, the Creator	Most powerful weapon in the Universe. Capable of repelling the Brahmastra. Used by Vashishta against Vishwamitra.
Narayanastra	Vishnu, the Preserver	Would create showers of arrows and discs. The astra's power would increase with the resistance offered to it. This weapon had to be obtained from Vishnu directly, and could be used only once. If the user were to attempt invoking it a second time, it would rebound on him, and possibly, his troops.
Vaishnavastra	Vishnu, the Preserver	Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature. Infallible. This weapon had to be obtained from Vishnu directly.
Kaumodaki	Vishnu, the Preserver	Divine mace of Vishnu. Would destroy whole armies. Infallible and without parallel. Lord Krishna slayed Demon Dantavakra with it.
Sudarshana Chakra	Vishnu, the Preserver	The discus of Lord Vishnu, containing the power of the sun. Flies at the command of only Lord Vishnu. Cannot be stopped by anyone, except Lord Vishnu himself. It was used prominently by Krishna in the Mahabharata.
Sharanga	Vishnu, the Preserver	The bow of Lord Vishnu, also called as Vaishnav Dhanush. Was given by Vishnu to Parshuram, by Lord Vishnu.
Nandaka	Vishnu, the Preserver	The sacred sword of Vishnu. It had a blade which was indestructible. Was used by Lord Krishna to kill countless demons.
Trishul	Template:Shiva, the Destroyer	The Trident of Lord Shiva. infallible. Said to be the most powerful of all weapons. THe head of Ganesha and Lord Brahma were severed by Lord Shiva using the Trishul.
Pinaka	Shiva,the Destroyer	Also called as Shiva Dhanush, was the bow of Lord Shiva, which he used to kill countless Asuras in battle (The city of Tripura was destroyed by Lord Shiva using the Pinaka). Was given to Parshuram By Lord Shiva, which was passed down to King Janaka, the father of Devi Sita, and was broken by Lord Ram in her swayamvara.
Maheshwarastra	Shiva, the Destroyer	Contains the power of Shiva's third eye. Shoots a really fast fiery beam which can turn even celestial beings to complete ashes. Infallible.
Pashupatastra	Shiva, the Destroyer	Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature. Infallible. When released, the weapon summons several monsters and a huge spirit which personifies the weapon. Sometimes it can cause a catastrophic explosion similar to a hydrogen bomb. Each time the weapon is summoned, its head is never the same This weapon had to be obtained from Shiva directly.

References

1. "The Ramayana" 2. "The Mahabharata" 3. "Bhagavata Purana"

By shivam