An () is a supernatural weapon in Hindu epics. It is presided over by a specific deity and imbued with spiritual powers. The term came to denote any weapon that was released from the hand (such as an arrow), compared to holding it (such as a sword). The bearer of an astra is an astradhari ().
History Astras are supernatural weapons invoked using mantras. In battle, a warrior would use a mantra to convert any weapon (usually an arrow) into a divine weapon. Astras comprise four classes of weapons. The origin of Astras is elaborated in the Ahirbudhnya Samhita, a dialogue between Sage Narada and Shiva.
When Narada asks Shiva about the origin of Astras, the god recounts a story: Eons ago, before the universe was created, Vishnu assumed many forms for his own amusement. Eventually, he assumed the form of Brahma and created the universe. In order to protect the universe from wicked beings of his own creation, Vishnu created the Sudarshana Chakra. However, only he could wield the Chakra. Using the power of the Sudarshana Chakra, Vishnu created over one hundred Astras. They were categorised according to their origin–from Vishnu's mouth, chest, thighs, and feet, and other parts such as the chest, waist, and lower abdomen. The astras are also organized into two broader groups: pravartaka (offensive) and nivartaka (defensive).
Summoning To summon or use an astra requires a specific incantation. The deity would endow the weapon with supernatural powers, making it impossible to counter through regular means. Specific conditions existed involving the usage of astras, violating them could be fatal. Because of the power involved, the knowledge involving an astra was passed in the Guru-shishya tradition from a Guru (teacher) to a Shishya (pupil) by word of mouth, and only after the student's character had been established. Certain astras had to be handed down from the deity directly; knowledge of the incantation was insufficient.
Hindu epics
Astras come into importance mainly in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where they are used in the great battles. They are depicted as used by archers such as Parashurama, Rama, Lakshmana, Meghanada (Indrajit), Ravana, Krishna, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Arjuna and other warriors. In the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Rama and Krishna had more astras than any other warrior. It is believed that Rama possessed all the astras.Mahabharata by Roy, Chandra Pratap
The divya ("divine") A concordance of occurrences of the word divya in the Bhagavad-gita and other sacred texts, with a translation for each occurrence. astras were generally invoked into arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything. Ashwatthama invoked Brahmaśirśāstra using a blade of grass as his weapon.
AstraDeityEffectBrahmastraBrahmaBrahma's celestial weapon. It could destroy entire armies at once and counter most other astras. It is an invincible supreme weapon in the Matsya Purana. It was the only weapon capable of piercing the Brahma kavacha, Brahma's invincible armour. Atikaya, one of Ravana's sons, possessed the armour that could only be pierced by a Brahmastra. He was killed by Lakshmana, brother of Rama, using a Brahmastra.TrishulaShivaShiva's trident. According to Shiva tradition, the trishula is the most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology, being infallible and capable of destroying anything except for Shiva and Parvati.Sudarshana ChakraVishnu Vishnu's celestial discus, created for him by Vishvakarma. Vaishnava traditions hold it to be the most powerful weapon in Hindu mythology. It is infallible and flies at Vishnu's command. It could be stopped only by Vishnu's wish., Quote: "There, Mahadeva told him: 'I cannot help you either. Go to Vaikuntha. Nobody but Sri Hari can save you.", Quote: "Lord Shankar looked and said, "Aaah! I can't help you. Go to Maha Vishnu." It was used by Krishna, Vishnu's eighth avatar, to behead his cousin Shishupala.VibhutiDevi Devi's celestial weapon, offered to Barbarika by a Brahmin, has the ability to "split the vital centre of the body of an enemy". It possesses ash that resembles saffron, and when it is released, it spills the ash on the vulnerable positions of the enemy combatants, not affecting allies. After the ash is spilled, arrows are released to destroy the enemy. Barbarika employed this in the Kurukshetra War, planning to singlehandedly defeat the Kaurava army, but was slain by Krishna before his plan could be carried out due to a previous life curse. IndrastraIndraIndra's celestial weapon. It produces thousands of duplicates of itself and attacks the enemy with devastating effect, as employed by Arjuna in the Mahabharata. It is possessed by other warriors including Lakshmana, Meghanada, and Rama.VasavishaktiIndraIndra's shakti (divine energy). When used, it kills the opponent, but it could only be used once. It was employed by Karna to kill Ghatotkacha in the Kurukshetra War.PrasvapastraVasus It causes the afflicted to fall asleep. In the Mahabharata, Bhishma was stopped by Narada from using this weapon against his guru, Parashurama. In the Ramayana, Rama has this weapon.AgneyastraAgniAgni's celestial weapon. When discharged, it emits flames inextinguishable through normal means. Arjuna used it against Angaraparna, the gandharva. Aurva offered the astra to Sagara. During the Kurukshetra war, Ashvathama used it to reduce a whole Akshauhini of soldiers, horses, chariots and elephants to ashes.VarunastraVarunaVaruna's celestial weapon. It released torrential volumes of water. This weapon is commonly mentioned as being used to counter the Agneyastra. It is possessed by Rama, Indrajit, Ravana, Lakshmana, Arjuna, Bhishma, and Drona.Manavastra Manu Manu's celestial weapon. It carries the target hundreds of thousands of yojanas away and could inspire humane traits in an evil being. This weapon was used by Rama on the rakshasa Maricha in the Ramayana. Arjuna also possesses this weapon.Varunapasha Varuna Varuna's noose. It bears seven loops, capable of torturing sinners and allowing no escape. Warriors including Rama, Indrajit and Arjuna possessed this weapon.Bhaumastra Bhumi Bhumi's celestial weapon. The weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels. Arjuna has employed this astra in the Mahabharata.Bhargavastra Parashurama Parashurama's celestial weapon. It is a mysterious weapon in Hindu mythology. No one knows about this weapon except for Parashurama and Karna. Karna uses this astra to counter the Indrastra in the Mahabharata.NagastraNagasCelestial weapon associated with the Naga race. It has an unerring aim and takes the form of a snake which is deadly upon impact. Arjuna used this against Susharma, and Karna is also described as possessing it.NagapashaNagasNoose associated with the Naga race. Upon impact, this weapon binds the target in coils of venomous snakes. In the Ramayana, Indrajit used it against Rama and Lakshmana. Arjuna obtained it from his wife Ulupi.GarudastraGarudaGaruda's celestial weapon. It is commonly employed to counter the nagastra. It is possessed by Arjuna, and used by Rama in the Ramayana.AnjalikastraIndraCelestial weapon affiliated with Indra. It was employed by Arjuna to behead Karna. VayavyastraVayuVayu's celestial weapon, which brings a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground. During the Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama used it to penetrate the illusions made by Anjanaparvan. Arjuna uses this astra against Drona. Indrajit and Rama also had this weapon.SuryastraSuryaSurya's celestial weapon which produces a dazzling light that dispels any darkness and dries water bodies while discharging fire ,this weapon was wielded by Karna ,his son during his time in kurushketra.
.MaghavanaIndraIndra's celestial weapon. It is a swift and flaming weapon during crossfire, especially used in illusionary warfare. Arjuna obtained this weapon from Indra.VajraIndraIndra's personal thunderbolt which creates bolts of lightning. Indra gave this astra to his son Arjuna. MohiniastraMohiniCelestial weapon named for Mohini, the female avatar of Vishnu. It produces a mesmerising song and dispels maya or sorcery in the vicinity. Arjuna used this astra against the nivatakavachas and dispelled illusions created by them.TvashtarastraTvashtrWhen used against a group of opponents (such as an army), causes them to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other. Only Arjuna and Rama possessed this weapon. It was created by Tvashtr, the divine builder and artisan.Sammohana/PramohanaGandharva Caused armies to collapse in a trance. Arjuna uses this weapon against the Kaurava army during the Virata war. On the 6th day of the Kurukshetra war, Dhrishtadyumna used it against the Kauravas, causing them to become unconscious, but Drona used his Prajnastra to stop its effect.ParvatastraCaused a parvata (mountain) to fall on the target from the skies. Arjuna possessed this astra.BrahmashirastraBrahmaCapable of killing devas. It was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit. It is thought that the Brahmashirsha astra is an evolved version of the Brahmastra and a secret infallible weapon created by Brahma to be four times stronger than the Brahmastra. The Mahabharata reports that the weapon manifests with the four heads of Brahma on its tip. In the Mahabharata, it was wielded by Agnivesha, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Arjuna and Ashwatthama (Ashwatthama didn't have the knowledge to retract it). It could erase beings from the past, present and future.BrahmadandaBrahmaA defensive personal weapon and divine rod (danda) possessed only by Bhramana. Capable of repelling other higher-energy weapons. Used by Vashishta against Vishwamitra. It is used only for defence. NarayanastraVishnuCreates showers of arrows and discs. The astra's power increased with the resistance offered to it. This weapon had to be obtained from Vishnu's Narayana form directly, and could be used only once. It is one of the most powerful weapons.