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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