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Brahmastra
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In ancient Sanskrit mythology, a Brahmastra (IAST: Brahmastra, sanskrit: ??????????????) is a weapon created by Brahma. It is sometimes known as the Brahma Astra (Astra means 'missile weapon'). As described in a number of the Puranas, it is considered the deadliest weapon. It is said that when a Brahmastra is discharged, there is neither a counter attack nor a defense that may stop it. It is believed that the Brahmastra never misses its mark and must be used with very specific intent against an individual enemy or army, as the target will face complete annihilation.
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In ancient Sanskrit mythology, a Brahmastra (IAST: Brahmastra, sanskrit: ??????????????) is a weapon created by Brahma. It is sometimes known as the Brahma Astra (Astra means 'missile weapon'). As described in a number of the Puranas, it is considered the deadliest weapon. It is said that when a Brahmastra is discharged, there is neither a counter attack nor a defense that may stop it. It is believed that the Brahmastra never misses its mark and must be used with very specific intent against an individual enemy or army, as the target will face complete annihilation. It is believed to be obtained by meditating on the Creator in Vedic mythology, Lord Brahma, and used only once in a lifetime. The user would have to display immense amounts of mental concentration. Since Brahma is considered the Creator in Sanatana Dharma, it is believed that Brahmastra was created by him for the purpose of upholding Dharma and Satya, to be used by anyone who wished to destroy an enemy who would also happen to be a part of his (Brahma's) creation. The target, when hit by Brahmastra, would be utterly destroyed.
According to ancient Sanskrit mythology, the Brahmastra is invoked by a key phrase or invocation that is bestowed upon the user when given this weapon. Through this invocation the user can call upon the weapon and use it via a medium against his adversary.
The weapon also causes severe environmental damage. The land where the weapon is used becomes barren for eons and all life in and around that area ceases to exist. Women and men become infertile. There is severe decrease in rainfall and the land develops cracks like in a drought. There are various descriptions of weapons created by Hindu dieties such as Agneyastra, Brahmastra, Chakram, Garudastra, Kaumodaki, Narayanastra, Pashupata, Shiva Dhanush, Sudarshana Chakra, Trishul, Vaishnavastra, Varunastra, and Vayavastra; and the Brahmastra is considered the most powerful of them all. These mythological weapons are at times compared to similar Greek mythological weapons such as the arrows of Apollo.
There are numerous instances within Sanskrit scriptures where the Brahmastra is used or use is threatened, including:
- The confrontation of Arjuna and Ashwatthama in Mahabharata, where Arjuna retracts his weapon as ordered, but Ashwatthama, unable to do so, instead sends it to attack Arjuna's unborn grandson, Parikshit, who is subsequently saved by Krishna. Ashwatthama did not have his bow and arrow near him when he was confronted by Arjuna. So he took a piece of straw and after silently invoking the phrase he threw the straw at Arjuna, which carried the power of the Brahmastra.
- Similarly, in the Ramayana a Brahmastra is used by Rama as the "final blow" against Rakshasa Ravana during their battle in Lanka.
See also
- List of Sanskrit-related articles
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