Brahmastra

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In ancient Indian Texts, the Brahmastra (Sanskrit: ब्रह्‍मास्‍त्र, IAST: Brahmāstra) and its variants, the Brahmadanda astra, and Brahmashirsha astra, are supernatural weapons collectively called Brahma weapons. The Brahmashirsha astra is a weapon that is said to be able to destroy the universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. It is the most destructive, powerful, and irresistible weapons mentioned in Hinduism. These weapons are all created by Lord Brahma.

It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball,[1] blazing up with terrible flames and countless horrendous thunder flashes. When discharged, all nature including trees, oceans, and animals tremble, and the sky surrounds with flame, glaciers melt and mountains shatter with copious noise all around.

When used, the Brahmastra which is person-centric can destroy a powerful enemy if he doesn't possess an alternate counter weapon. If it is Bhrmashirsha Astra it makes collateral damage and every useful resource in a given area and prevents even a single blade of grass from ever growing in that area again. It is mentioned in Epic that there will be no rainfall for 12 Brahma years (1 Brahma year = 3,110,400,000,000 Human years; 12 Brahma years = 37324800000000 Human years) and climate conditions will worsen. The strike of the Brahmastra will eventually destroy everything.

Arjuna and Ashwatthama almost used the Brahmastra against each other near the end of the Kurukshetra War, however both were stopped by Narada,Krishna and Vyasa to prevent the destruction of the world.

Narada and Vyasa come to stop Brahmastra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna

Variants[]

Brahmashirsha Astra[]

The Brahmashirsha Astra (Brahma's head weapon),[2] manifests with four heads of brahma at the front and is four times stronger than the normal brahmastra.[3] Brahmadanda Astra is a weapon that can be possessed by a Bhraman of High Brahma energy by penance, The popular belief about this weapon possessed by Kshatriya warriors is high of false notion made by serial telecasts. Even the term Bhramanda itself is not seen in either of the Epics as it could be an adaptation later on to that of Bhrama Danda. Bhramadanda is a counter weapon that is capable of defending any of the personal centric Trimurthi weapon as Vasishta defended Vaiswamithra .[4]

Uses[]

There are numerous instances within Sanskrit theological scriptures where the Brahmastra is used or its use is threatened, including:

  • Maharaja Kaushika (who later became Brahmarshi Vishvamitra) used it against Maharishi Vasishta, but the Brahmastra was swallowed by Vasishta's Brahmadanda Astra.
  • Indrajit used the Nagpasha against the army of Rama in the Ramayana. Lakshmana was injured by this weapon only. Only the Sanjeevani herbs brought by Hanuman managed to save the brothers and their army from death. Also, Indrajit used the Brahmastra against Hanuman, but Hanuman survived because of the boon previously given to him by Lord Brahma.
  • In the Ramayana, a Brahmastra is used by Shri Rama several times: once against Jayanta when he hurt Sita, against Mareecha in their last encounter, and finally the Brahmastra was used in the last battle with the Asura emperor Ravana.[5] According to the Ramayana, the weapon was also aimed at Samudra(the sea god) to carve a path out of the sea such that Rama's army could march towards the island of Lanka. However, as Rama loaded the weapon, Samudra appeared and offered to assist the king in crossing the ocean. But once invoked, the Brahmastra must be discharged, and hence it was instead aimed towards Dhrumatulya, falling at of modern-day Rajasthan, causing it to become a desert for eons to come. This incident is mentioned in Yuddha Kanda 22 Sarga, Verse 31.

  • Killing of Ravana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi

  • Rama Pursues Kakasura (Jayanta) with a Magical Grass-Arrow

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Krishnamoorthy, K.; Channakeshava, B.; Rao, H. V. Nagaraja (1995). Ānanda Bhāratī: Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Volume. Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Committee.
  2. ^ Maehle, Gregor (2009). Ashtanga Yoga: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice. New World Library. ISBN 9781577316695.
  3. ^ "Brahmaśiras - Oxford Reference". 2009. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001. ISBN 9780198610250. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 12". www.sacred-texts.com.
  5. ^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 80.
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