Anjalikastra

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Anjalikastra is a celestial weapon in Hindu mythology. Anjalikastra was a personal astra (mythical weapon) of King of Gods- Indra. According to Hindu puranas/ithihasas, using this weapon on opponent, this cuts the head of the opponent. In some stories, it is also said that Lakshmana- brother of Lord Rama used same Anjalikastra to kill Indrajit. This astra came into prominence when Mahabharat's hero Arjuna used it to kill Karna.^[1][2]

Arjuna kills Karna using Anjalikastra

Ramayana[]

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In some versions of Ramayana, it is said that Meghanada (Indrajit) was killed by the usage of Anjalikastra. Meghanada was granted a boon from Brahma that after the completion of the Yagna (fire-worship) of his native goddess Prathyangira -"Nikumbhila yagna", he will get a celestial chariot, mounting on which, he will win over any enemy in war and become invulnerable. But Brahma also cautioned him that whosoever would destroy this yagna would also kill him. Indrajit through severe penance convinced Brahma to give him a boon in which it was promised to him that Indrajit would only be killed by such a man who hadn't had sleep for Fourteen years continuously. Thus Lakshmana was only the person at that time whose life satisfied those conditions and thus he was the only person eligible to kill Indrajit. Knowing this Vibhishana requested Lakshmana to destroy Indrajit's yagna. Lakshmana was very successful in spoiling Indrajit's Nikumbhila Yagna and finally killed Meghanada using Anjalikastra.^[3]

Mahabharat[]

On the 17th day of Kurukshetra war, Karna and Arjuna faced each other and started fighting. As the battle intensified, Karna was beheaded by Arjuna by the Anjalikastra.^[4]

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