Astra

Astra

अस्त्र, astra

A very powerful, supernatural weapon created by some deity and imbued with its power. Also, the word can be used to refer to conventional weapons.

Various types of such powerful weapons are mentioned in the Puranas and Itihasas (especially in "Mahabharata"). The most famous astras:

• Brahmastra – the weapon of Brahma, is considered the most destructive, capable of immediately destroying armies, only Brahma-danda – the staff of Brahma can resist it (neutralizes any weapon created by Brahma). It is described as a fireball that, hitting the target, destroys everything completely around it at a great distance with its flame, even mountains. After using this weapon, the terrain is uninhabitable for many kalpas.

• Indrastra – the weapon of Indra, in "Mahabharata" is described as a "rain" of arrows from the sky.

• Mohanastra is a charm weapon that also involves casting strong illusions or hallucinations on the enemy. This weapon can also dispel any form of illusion or sorcery.

• Jnanastra – a weapon of knowledge, can be used against spells, illusions, witchcraft.

• Sudarshana-chakra is Vishnu's legendary weapon and attribute. It has the shape of a disk that constantly rotates and symbolizes the wheel of time. It can cut through anything and it always hits the target. Sati's body was cut with sudarshana chakra into pieces in the famous legend about the origin of shakti-peeths. Also, sudarshana chakra was used to cut off the head of the demon Svarbhanu, who drank the nectar of immortality amrita, after which the head was named Rahu, and the tail was Ketu.

• Vajra – Indra's weapon that causes a flurry of lightning.

• Trishul is the weapon of Shiva, the all-striking trident. According to the legend, Shiva cut off the head of Ganesha with trishul. Goddess Durga also uses this weapon in the fight against numerous hordes of asuras.

• Varunastra is the weapon of Varuna. Unleashes massive amounts of water on the enemy.