Weapons and Astras

Brahmastra – The Brahmastra a powerful celestial weapon created by Lord Brahma is analogous to a modern-day nuclear bomb. It was one of the most powerful and deadly weapons used in the battle of Mahabharata. When used, the Brahmastra destroys everything and is said to be the only weapon capable of piercing Brahma's armor. There is no rainfall for trillions of years and not even a blade of grass grows in that area again. According to the Puranas, Brahmastra never misses its mark and destroys the individual or army against whom it is launched. There is no way to counter-attack nor defend oneself against the Brahmastra. The Brahmastra has the power to eliminate anything in the past, present and future.

Gandiva Dhanush – Lord Brahma – the creator of the universe created a unbreakable bow to destroy the evil and unjust. Arjun has this bow in Mahabharata

Vijaya Dhanush– It was a divine bow belonging to Lord Shiva who instructed Indra to give it to Parashurama in order to fight evil forces on earth. Parashurama, in turn, gifted it to his disciple Karna. It is an indestructible weapon that protects the person wielding it against all other weapons. Every time an arrow is released, the bow produces a loud sound of thunder and lightning that makes the enemy run away in fear. As per its name Vijaya meaning Victory, the bow made its wielder so invincible that no other weapon could harm him .

Pashupatastra – It is one of the most destructive weapons of Mahadeva and Mahakali literally meaning Lord Shiva, Kali, and Para Shakti. It could be discharged by the mind, eyes, words, or a bow. It is capable of neutralizing every other weapon as well as mobile and immobile creatures in the universe in less than the time taken to blink an eye. When released, it could destroy the target completely.

Narayanastra – the personal weapon of Lord Vishnu, it is capable of simultaneously letting loose millions of deadly missiles that stop only after the target is completely destroyed. The intensity of the shower increases with the increase in resistance and the only defense against the missile is to surrender or show total submission before it hits the target. It can be used only once in a lifetime and may rebound on the user and his army if he attempts to invoke it a second time.

Vaishnavastra – It was one of the most powerful weapons of Lord Krishna after Sudarshan chakra. It hadgreat armour piercing capabilities. As the celestial weapon of Vishnu it had to be obtained from Lord Vishnu directly, who alone could halt the weapon. According to the Vishnupurana, it is the fastest astra of all weapons used in Mahabharata.

Brahmashira—the Brahmashirsha Astra a high-end variant of the deadly Brahmastra is four times stronger and capable of greater destruction than the Brahmastra. The weapon manifests with the four heads of Lord Brahma as its tip. According to legend, the weapon when invoked leads to a blazing inferno, and thunder like thousands of meteors have fallen and all living creatures trembled with dread. The whole earth – mountains, water bodies, and trees tremble.

Brahmandastra – This is the most powerful weapon of Brahma which manifests with the five heads of Brahma as its tip. The weapon is said to possess extraordinary powers to destroy the entire entire universe in the blink of an eye. In some texts, it is called Brahma-danda astra created by the Saptarishis to counter any weapon ever created.

Bhargavastra – This is an astra created by Sage Parasurama. He gave it to Karna in the Mahabharata. It is capable of creating a massive shower or volley of arrows that pierce everything they hit. In modern-day analogy, it can be called a warhead that launches countless small projectiles causing massive destruction of the target area.

Vasavi Shakti – It was a divine spear of light of Indra the King of Gods. It had the power to kill anyone it struck.

Vajra Astra – The Vajra is a favorite weapon of Lord Indra, the God of thunder and lightning, is made from the bones of Sage Dadhichi. Once invoked and discharged, this weapon seeks and destroys the enemy – cutting through any mortal defences. Vajra Astra is considered to be one of the most fearsome weapons in the battlefield as it would cause high casualties to the enemy and it would scatter the opposing army. A

Varunastra – A weapon of Varuna, the God of water. It can assume any shape just like water and wash away large part of enemy troops. It can be used to counter Agni Astra, while the only defence against this astra is Visoshanastra, which can only be obtained by Indra the king of gods.

Teen Baan -The Teen Baan was the signature weapon of Barbarika, the son of Ghatotkacha and Grandson of Bheema. It simultaneously fired three arrows. One to pinpoint the enemy, the second to identify the friends (to be saved), and the third to destroy the enemy. Using this weapon, Barbarika could have finished the war in seconds.

Maheshwarastra – This weapon contains the power of God Shiva's third eye and has the potential to turn one's enemies into ashes. The only way to counter this weapon was by using any other weapon of Lord Shiva or Lord Vishnu.

Sabda vedastra – It prevents an opponent from turning invisible. Arjuna used it against the Gandharva king Chitrasena who used illusions to conceal himself from Arjuna.

Visoshana Astra – The main role of this astra is to relieve pain and heal any wound.

Praswapastra – It causes the enemy troops to fall asleep on the battlefield. Only Bhishma had this weapon in the Mahabharat war.

Indrastra – named after Indra, the King of Gods. It brings about heavy and unbearable rain of arrows on the enemy from the sky.

Roudrastra – Is one of the mostpowerful weapons that can kill every person present on the battlefield.

Agneyastra – the weapon of Agni deva, that makes huge balls of fire that could melt the earth's crust and produce heatwave which could burn anything on its path.

Yamyadandastra: As the name Yamyadandastra or Yamya + danda + astra suggests, it is the main weapon of this Astra is Yama Deva (the Lord of death). It is used to punish the sinners.

Twashtastra – This Astra creates an illusion and causes the user to suddenly appear at multiple spots at the same time. This confuses the enemy troops. The net result is that enemy soldiers end up fighting each other and killing their own troops.

Mayastra – This Astra dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity.

Sammohanastra– It had the power to make an entire army go asleep or fall unconscious in a state of trance.

Parvata astra– a divine astra that could cause a parvata or mountain to fall from the skies and crush the enemy forces.

Naga asthara – It took the form of venomous snakes that coiled around the enemy troops and injected will have certain death

Nagapasham – a celestial weapon equal to Nagastra.

Garudastra –  The eagle weapon to counter against the Nagastra

Anjalika – The personal weapon of Indra.

Varunastra – The water weapon, created by Varuna, master of the oceans

Mahendra astra– this Astra was used by Yudhisthira to counter the Andria and Prajnaya astras of Guru Dronacharya.

Vayavastra – The wind weapon, created by Vayu. It is capable of creating a low-pressure area that causes the air to rush in and create a storm or tornado. Only counter to this astra was Sailastra- obtained from Indra- King of Gods.

Aindastra– is the projectile weapon that belongs to the king of gods Indra.

Sooryastra: Creates a dazzling light that dispels darkness and dries up water bodies.

Gandharvastra: Created by Gandharva King Chitrasena.

Bhaumastra: Created by Goddess Bhumi Devi, the weapon had the capability of moving the earth's plates, and in turn cause earthquakes and create new land mass.  

Antardhana Astra – This was Kubera's personal Astra. It had the property to make things disappear.

Sakti Astra – one of the most powerful celestial weapons.

Akshya Trunira- Meaning-neverending quiver. The special feature of the quiver was that the arrows are always full and never end.

Mohini Astra – a powerful missile that can dispell any illusion or maya created by the enemy.

Nandaka – Nandaka or Nandaki is the sword of Lord Vishnu.

Sharanga Dhanush– is the celestial bow of Vishnu made by Viswakarma, the Cosmic architect and maker of weapons. As per the legend Varun deva gifted the Saranga to Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Satyabhama, the wife of Krishna and avatar of goddess Bhumi, fought Asura king Narakasura with the Saranga bow and defeated him.

Pinaka Dhanush – is the bow of Lord Shiva.

Govardhana Dhanush – it was a very powerful bow of Lord Vishnu which could not be destroyed by any weapon.

Kaumodaki – is the Gada (mace) of Lord Vishnu who is often depicted holding the Kaumodaki in one of his four hands; besides the chakra, conch, and the lotus.

Antardhyana Astra – When invoked, this weapon makes the warrior invisible and disappear from the sight of enemy soldiers. Antardhana astra creates illusion and confuses the enemy soldiers. It can also make the user appear anywhere he wishes on the battlefield.

Prajnastra Astra – is a celestial weapon that restores the senses of a person, under the influence of the Sammohana Astra.

Parjanyastra—a mystic missile that brings heavy rain on the target.

Manavastra – It could overcome supernatural protections and carry the target hundreds of miles away. It could inspire humane traits in an evil being.

Kaladanda Astra – The deadly staff of Yama.

Sorry if I forgot anything