Astra (mythology)
In the Hindu religion, an astra was a supernatural weapon, which was used by a specific deity. Conjuring or using it required the knowledge of a mantra or invocation. The summoned deity would then bless the weapon, making it impossible to block it by ordinary means. Each astra had specific conditions of use; violation of these conditions could become fatal. Due to the power of these weapons, their knowledge passed from master to disciple exclusively orally, and only after verifying that the student was of good character. In certain astras, the knowledge of their mantra was insufficient: they had to be received directly from the hand of the owner deity.
Sanskrit name
- astrain the AITS system (international alphabet for the transliteration of the Sanskrit).
- . सに.の, in devanagari writing of the Sanskrit.
- Pronunciation:
- /astrá/ in Sanskrit or
- /astra/ in several modern languages of India (such as Bengali, Hindí, Maratí or Palí).
- Etymology: unknown. It is cognated by the ancient Greek στρον (astron) and of ・στρ (asser): ‘astro’.
Description of the astras
Astras play an important role in the Ramaiana and the Majabhárata (religious epic texts from the 3rd century BC), where they are used in great battles. They are used by archers like Rama, Lakshman, Meghnad, Karna, Bhishma etc. Astras were usually summoned into arrows but in theory they can be used with anything: for example, the evil warrior Asuatama whispered a mantra into a blade of grass to turn it into the brahmastra, the most powerful weapon in the universe.
Astras
The following astras are mentioned in the Ramaiana and the Majabharata:
| Astra | God regent | Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmastra | Brahma, the creator | It destroys armies of one blow and can counter most of the astras. The weapon causes serious collateral damage as the earth becomes sterile and the entire life of that area ceases to exist. Ramayana points out that this weapon was used in the area of Rajasthan which caused the Thar Desert to emerge. It is the mythical equivalent of modern nuclear weapons. |
| Pashupatastra | Pashupati (Shiva), the destroyer | It conjures a huge amount of monsters and a spirit that personifies the weapon as such. Every time you use your head is different. This astra has to be obtained directly from the god Shiva. |
| Vashra | Indra, climate god | The target is hit by Indra's mortal lightning. |
| Agneiastra | Agni, god of fire | The weapon emits flames that cannot be extinguished by common means. |
| Asurastra | Asuras (demons) | |
| Bhargavastra | Bhargava | Parashurama—who belonged to the Bhárgava clan— handed this astra to Karna, who caused great damage to the army of the Pándavas (Karna brothers). This astra possesses Parashurama's archer's ability. It could generate a rain of weapons more powerful than those of the indrastra and could break any military formation and cut through the defenses of the enemy. |
| Bhaumastra | Bhumi, goddess of the earth | |
| Brahmashira | Brahma, the Creator | Able to kill any deva. The evil Ashwatthama used it against Parikshit (the only living heir to the Pandavas). It's stronger than the brahmastra. |
| Devastra | Devas | Mythic equivalent of modern military missiles. |
| Indrastra | Indra, climate god | It generates a rain of wood arrows from the sky. |
| Kshetrapalastra | Bhairava, god of fear | It drives away negative spirits (such as bhutas, pretas, raksasas, pisachas) from a working area |
| Maheshwarastra | Majéshuara (Shiva), the destroyer | It contains the power of Shiva's third eye. Shoot a lightning that makes any god be reduced to ashes. Infallible. |
| Manavastra | Manu, father of the human race | |
| Nagapaasha | Nagas | By impacting the target is trapped by poisonous snakes, in the Ramaiana was used by Indrayit (the son of Rávana) against the god Rama and his brother Lakshmana. |
| Vaivaiastra | Vaiu, god of the wind | Creates a hurricane that can destroy any army |
| Nagastra | Nagas | This infallible weapon takes the form of a deadly snake. |
| Naraianastra | Naraiana (Visna), the condom | It creates rains of arrows and discs. The power of the astra increases the more it resists. You have to get directly from Visnu and can only be used once. If it becomes used for the second time all effect falls on its owner. |
| Parvatastra | Parvati | Makes a mountain (parvata) fall from the heavens |
| Pragñastra | Mojini, avatar of Visnu in the form of a woman | Shoot any form of maia or witchcraft. |
| Sammohana/Pramohana | It makes a group of people get into a crazy trance. | |
| Suriastra | Suria, god of the sun | It creates a bright light that dissipates all darkness and dries any body of water. |
| Twashtar | Tuastri, the heavenly architect | Confuses enemies and makes them attack each other |
| Vaisnavastra | Visnú, the condom | Infallible, it destroys any objective regardless of its nature. This astra has to be obtained directly from Visnu. |
| Varunapasha | Varuna | A mighty bow (pasha) of which no god can escape. |
| Varunastra | Varuna, God of the water | The weapon generates torrential volumes of water. It is often used to counteract the agneiastra, turning it off. |
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