Weapon Catalogue – from Indian mythology (1)

Weapon catalogue from Indian mythology

The range of weapons described in ancient texts is overwhelming. If we see closely, we will find many of the weapons from mythological stories, Mahabharat and The Ramayna, we discover that the warfare technologies were very much advanced.

Name of the weapon

Effect and usage

Associated with

Brahma Danda

It contained the spiritual powers of the 7 greatest sages (Sapta Rishis).. It contained the spiritual power of the 7 greatest sages of Hinduism – Bhrigu, Agastya, Jamadagni, Vasistha, Bharadwaja, Gautama and Kashyapa. This astra is the most powerful weapon of Lord Brahma. Drona used this on 15th day of Mahabharat war and nobody knew to counter this weapon. Pandavas had to resort to other means to counter this great warrior. Sage Vasistha given this weapon to Drona. Drona used Brahmadanda for the first time in the Mahabharat war.

Weapon of Seven Sages, The Sapta Rishis.

Aindra astra or Indra astra

Would bring about a shower of arrows from the sky.

Indra, the god of weather

Agneya astra

The weapon discharged would emit flames inextinguishable through normal means. Shishupala used this against Krishna which he had neutralized with Varun astra.

Agni, the god of fire

Varuna astra

The weapon discharged would release torrential volumes of water. This weapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra.

Varuna, the god of water

Sammohana/ Pramohana astra

Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance. Drona used on fourteenth day of Mahabharat to capture Yudhishthira, but Sahdev saved him.

Twashtar astra

Created illusion so that friends mistake each other for enemies and fight each other. Twashtar or Twashtri, is the architect employed by Indra, who later came to be known as Viswakarma and who built the celestial cities. The use of this weapon is not found. This is similar to Gandharva astra.

Twashtri, the heavenly builder

Mohini astra

Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity.

Mohini, Visnu avatar

Surya astra

Create a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about.

Surya, the sun god

Vayu astra

Bring about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground.

Vayu, the god of wind

 

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Weapon catalogue – Indian mythology (3)

Weapon catalogue from Indian mythology

In this article, details of Vaishnava astra, Gandharva astra, Manava, Maheshwar, Kuber weapons are given.

Name of the weapon

Effect and usage

Associated with

Vaishnava astra

destroys target completely, irrespective of target’s nature. Would Infallible. This weapon had to be obtained from Vishnu directly.

Vishnu, the Preserver

Gandharvastra

Used by Lord Rama against Ravana’s army. Also used by Abhimanyu in Mahabharat against kauravas.

Manava

Used by Lord Rama to kill Maricha.

Manu

Maheshwar

Used by Laskhman against Meghnaad.

Yamastra

Has been used by Meghnaad against Lakshman and Shishupala against Shri Krishna.

Shakti

Used by Meghnaad against Lakshman this caused his unconsciousness. Due to this weapon, Hanuman had to bring the whole mountain of sanjeevani booti. The physician who cured Lakshman was Sushena.

Pinaka

was the divine bow of Lord Shiva gifted to King Janaka by Sage Parashurama for safe-keeping while the sage performed penances. It was gifted to Parashurama by Shiva for being a great disciple.

Lord Shiva

Sammohanastra

Used by Arjuna in Mahabharat against Kauravas.

Samvarta

Rama passed on to Bharat. Three crores gandharvas were killed instantly by this.

Vishamitra taught Rama

Kuber astra

Shishupala and Shri Krishna used this during their battle in Mahabharat

Kuber, the god of wealth

Rudra astra

Used in the dual of Shishupal and Shri Krishna in mahabharat

Shiva

Sudarshan Chakra

Sudarshana Chakra: The magical chakra, a spinning disc with sharp outer spears. The Sudarshan flies at the command of Vishnu, spinning away to tear off the heads of His opponents, or to perform any function desired by Vishnu. It was most famously used by His Avatar Krishna in the Mahabharata. Shri Krishna cut Shishupala’s head with this weapon.

Sudarshan chakra

Sudarshan chakra

Krishna, one of the Dashavtar’s of Vishnu.

 

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Festivals of world – Chinese festivals (1)

Chinese festivals

Spring festival is the most inportant traditional chinese festival. The spring festival is the Chinese new year. The origin of this festival is centuries old. A number of myths and traditions underline the significance of this Chinese new year. This marks the end of winter and lasts for 15 day. The 15th day is the Lantern festival.

Chinese spring festival

The Lantern festival is also known as Yuanxiao or Shangyuan Festival. This is the last day of Chinese new year celebrations. During the Lantern Festival, children go out at night to temples carrying paper lanterns. They also solve riddles on the lanterns. In Singapore, a festival with the same name is celebrated, but different from the one which chinese celebrate.  The lanterns were fairly simple in ancient times. Nowadays, lanterns have been being embellished with many complex designs. They are often made in shapes of animals. The lanterns symbolizes the people letting go of their past selves and getting a new one, which they will let go of the next year.  It is also said that this is observed to worship Taiyi, the god of heaven.

Qingming denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime. This falls in the month of april. Chinese people visit the graves or burial grounds of their ancestors. This tradition stretches back to more than 2,500 years. A popular thing to do is to fly kites. These kites are in the shapes of animals or characters from Chinese opera.

Qingming or Tomb sweeping day festival

This festival holiday has a significance in the Chinese tea culture. This specific day divides the fresh green teas by their picking dates. Green teas made from leaves picked before this date are given the prestigious ‘pre-qingming’ designation which commands a much higher price tag.

Kite flying on Qingming

The Seven Individuals Behind Karna’s Death in the Mahabharat Katha

People behind death of Danveer Karna

Following seven incidents were the reason for demise of Karna. Though we remember him as Danveer Karna, but if we see the following incidents, we would realize that perhaps this was the reason of his not getting his due in Indian history.

1. Parshurama’s curse – Parshurama has cursed him so that he would not use the brahmastra weapon when he would need it most. So Karna would not be able to use this weapon at the most critical time. How would he expect to win the battle against Arjuna with this curse?

2. Brahmin’s curse – A Brahmin has cursed him that his wheels of chariot will be stuck in the ground. During Mahabharat war, when fighting with Arjuna, this thing happened. This caused him to step down from his chariot. Ramdhari Singh Dinkar has summarised this well in Rashmirathi.

“Jara si keech mein syandan phansa hai”

Above line and lines followed aptly describes the frustration. How a small mass of soft earth has held Karna’s chariot.

3. Indra’s manipulation – Confident of Karna’s charitable character, Indra approached him in the guise of a brahmin and asked for alms. Karna agreed to give him whatever he wanted. Indra asked for Kavach and Kundal to which Danveer Karna obliged. Ashamed of his activity Indra awarded him with Shakti. This weapon had the power to complete its task. The only caveat was that this could be used only once. Karna saved this for Arjuna. But Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son, was creating havoc on Kaurava’s army. Upon the insistence of Duryodhana, karna has to use Shakti, thus saving Arjuna’s life.

4. Karna’s promise to Kunti – Kunti told Karna about his birth story before the Mahabharat war. She wanted him to fight the Mahabharat from Pandava’s side. Karna was the true friend of Duryodhana. He denied this request. Instead he gave a promise to Kunti. If there would be situation where I am able to kill any of the Pandavas, I would not do so except for Arjuna. In this way, Kunti will always have five sons.

Karna and Kunti
Karna and Kunti

5. Shalya’s reluctance towards Karna – Shalya, the charioteer of Karna never wanted to be on Kaurava’s side, but was forced to fight against Pandavas. He never supported Karna during the Mahabharat war. Imagine this, how it is difficult when your navigator is not your side. On the other side, Shri Krishna was there to guide Arjuna.

6. Shri Krishna asking Karna for his righteousness : All over his life, Karna followed the path of rihteousness. Despite all of the above reasons, Arjuna was not able to defeat him. Shri Krishna explained the reason to him. Goddess of Rigtheousness was protecting Karna. How to defeat him because weapons were turning into garlands. Shri Krishna went to him as a Brahmin and asked Karna to gift his rigtheousness. Karna again, readily agreed and obliged Arjuna charioteer. Pleased of this, Krishna shown him his vishwaroopa. Shri Krishna also granted him a boon. Because of this, he was cremated on Shri Krishna’s hand.

7. Arjuna killing when he was not on the chariot: On advise of Shri Krishna, against the rules of the war, Arjuna beheaded Karna with the weapon anjalika. This  happened when Karna was trying to take out the wheel of the chariot from the ground. This is how, the great archer, the great danveer, met his death.

Perhaps destiny has to do more here rather than the capability. unfortunately he was fighting the war from the wrong side. Nevertheless he has got the everlasting fame.

Nine forms of Maa Durga – Navdurga

An interesting quiz on Ramayana

Navratri or the nine holy days are auspicious days of the lunar calendar according to Hinduism.  Celebrated with fervor and festivity all over north India, and every Hindu community the world over, these nine days are dedicated solely to Maa Durga (Goddess Durga) and her nine avatars. Jai Maa Durga. During Navratri, Maa Durga is worshipped in nine forms. All forms have their own significance and they all are merciful to us.

navdurga mantra
navdurga mantra

Shailputri

Read more on Shailputri

माँ शैलपुत्री कथा

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana – the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navratri– the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.She rides a bull and carries a Trident and a lotus in her two hands.

Shailputri Devi – worshipped on first day of Navratri.

Brahmacharini

Read more on Brahmacharini

The second day of navratri or dwitiya day of shukla paksha of ashwin month is considered for the worship of maa Brahmacharini. on this day,the moon is in Chitra Nakshtra. Brahma that is who observes penance(tapa) and good conduct. Here “Brahma” means “Tapa”. The idol of this Goddess is very gorgeous. There is rosary in her right hand and Kamandal in left hand.

Maa Brahmacharini - worshipped on the second day of Navratri
Maa Brahmacharini – worshipped on the second day of Navratri

Chandraghanta

A bell shaped mark of moon which is present on the fore head of Maa Chandraghanta, because of this Maa is known as Chandraghanta. The colour of her body is golden, she rides on lion who descrides “dharma”, possesses ten hands and three eyes, eight of Her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. She is worshipped on third day of Navratri.

Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on third day of Navratri.
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on third day of Navratri.

माँ चंद्रघंटा कथा

Read more on Maa Chandraghanta

Kushmanda

May Kushmanda – Ma Durga who holds two pitchers full of blood in her lotus hands and the universe is created, sustained and drawn within Devi’s ownself. In this form, Mother Durga creates solar system by liberating her power to Lord Sun.

Kushmanda Devi - worshipped on fourth day of Navratri
Kushmanda Devi – worshipped on fourth day of Navratri

माँ कूष्मांडा कथा

Read more on Kushmanda

 Skandmata

As Mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, Maa Parvati or Maa Durga is known as Skandmata. Skanda is seated in her lap. She has three eyes and four hands. She is white and seated on a lotus. Legend has it that once a great demon Tarakasur did extreme penance and pleased Brahmaji.

Tarakasur’s boon

He wanted a boon to become immortal. Lord Brahma said whosoever has come to this world, has to leave too, so ask for something else. Tarkasur was very clever. He said that whenever I die, the death should be at the hands of son of Lord Shiva. The boon was granted.

Maa Skandmata is worshipped on fifth day of Navratri.
Maa Skandmata is worshipped on fifth day of Navratri.

Read more on Skandmata

Lord Kartikeya is born

Tarkasur thought Lord Shiva will never get married, so there would be no son and he would never die.Tarkasur considering himself to be invincible started tormenting the world. All the devtas went before Lord Shiva and asked his help. They requested him to get married.Lord Shiva was reluctant but at last he agreed. After taking human form, he got married to Parvati. She gave birth to Kartikeya or Skandkumar who later killed Tarkasur. She is worshipped on fifth day of Navratri.

Katyayani

According to ancient legends, she was born a daughter of Katyayan Rishi, born in the Katya lineage, thus called Katyayani, “daughter of Katyayan” . Elsewhere in texts like the Kalika Purana, it is mentioned that it was Rishi Kaytyayan who first worshipped her, hence she came to known as ‘Katyayani. In either case, she is a demonstration or apparition of the Durga, and is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri festival. The Katyayani vrata is observed and it is said that maidens who observe this vrata, are blessed with the husband of their choice.

Maa Katyayani is worshipped on sixth day of Navratri.
Maa Katyayani is worshipped on sixth day of Navratri.

Read more on Katyayani

Kaalratri

This form of Maa has a dark complexion, disheveled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck.

She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath.

Maa Kaalratri is worshipped on seventh day of Navratri
Maa Kaalratri is worshipped on seventh day of Navratri

Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears.

Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil.

Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good.

Mahagauri

Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion.

When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri. This means extremely white.

She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees. She is worshipped on eighth day of Navratri.

Maa Mahagauri
Maa Mahagauri is worshipped on Navratri’s eighth day.

Siddhidatri

Maa Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess Durga worshiped in Navratri. The last among the nine forms of Maa Shakti is Goddess Siddhidatri who is worshiped on the ninth or final day of Navratri.

Maa Siddhidatri
Maa Siddhidatri
Siddhidatri Mantra
Siddhidatri Mantra

‘Siddhi’ is a Sanskrit term which means ‘perfection’. Goddess Siddhidatri has four arms. She holds a Chakra in her right lower hand and a mace in the upper. In the left lower hand there is a conch and in her upper left hand a lotus flower. She is seated on a lotus flower with the lion as her mount. Worshipper of Maa Siddhidatri gets all the comforts in life.

An interesting comparison of Greek Mythology and Maa Durga

Navdurga
Navdurga
Goddess Durga photo (Navdurga)
Goddess Durga photo (Navdurga)