The Brahmastra (IAST: Brahmāstra) is an astra (projectile weapon) that is said to be able to destroy the whole universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Only Parashurama, Rama, Meghanada, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Arjuna, and Lakshmana possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. It is one of the most destructive, powerful, and irresistible weapons mentioned in Hinduism. It was created by Brahma along with its more powerful variants Brahmashirā astra, Brahmanda astra, and Bhargavastra.

Description

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 does not possess an alternate counter weapon. If it is Brahmashirā astra, it causes collateral damage to 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 that there would be no rainfall for 12 Brahma years (12 Brahma years = 37.32 trillion human years) and climate conditions will worsen. The strike of the Brahmashirā astra will eventually destroy everything.

When Ashwatthama hurled the Brahmashirā astra against Arjuna, the Pandava countered by invoking the same weapon; to prevent widespread destruction Narada and Vyasa stood between the two astras, ordering the two warriors to withdraw their weapons. (Arjuna, out of nobility, did so; Ashwatthama, however, out of anger refused to recall the astra and rather directed it to Uttarā's womb to kill the unborn Parikshit in an attempt to produce some level of damage to his opponents but Krishna intervened and saved the child and Ashwatthama was made to surrender the gem on his forehead and cursed by Krishna that he will roam in the forests with blood and puss until the end of time oozing out of his injuries and cry for death but death would not meet him.)[2]

Variants

Brahmashirā Astra

The Brahmashirā Astra or Brahmashirsha astra (Brahma's 4 head weapon),[3] manifests with four heads of Brahma at the front and is four times stronger than the normal Brahmastra. Arjuna, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama and Bhishma were the among who possessed this knowledge in Mahabharata.[4] It is also able to annihilate someone's existence from the past, present and future, making their existence impossible to be imagined and because they did not exist and will not exist, it is impossible for them to ever exist in any facet or form in any meaningful way.[5]

Brahma Danda

The Brahma Danda (Brahma's rod) or also known as Brahmanda, is a weapon of self-defence, created by Brahma. It is only to be possessed by Brahmanas and its powers are dependent on its owner. The weapon is a rod capable of absorbing any incoming attack towards its owner. When Vishwamitra, in a fit of anger, unleashed the Brahmastra onto Vasishtha, it was his Brahmanda that protected him from the lethal weapon.

Literature

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

  • Kaushika (who later became Brahmarshi Vishvamitra) used it against Maharishi Vasishta, but the Brahmastra was swallowed by Vasishta's Brahmadanda Astra.
  • Indrajita used the Brahmastra against Hanuman, but Hanuman survived because of the boon previously given to him by Brahma.
  • In the Ramayana, a Brahmastra is used by Rama several times: once against Jayanta when he hurt Sita, against Maricha in their last encounter, and finally the Brahmastra was used in the last battle with the rakshasa emperor Ravana.[6] 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. This incident is mentioned in Yuddha Kanda 22 Sarga, Verse 31.

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. ↑ "The Mahabharata, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 15".
  3. ↑ Maehle, Gregor (2009). Ashtanga Yoga: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice. New World Library. ISBN 9781577316695.
  4. ↑ W. J. Johnson (2009). "Brahmaśiras". A Dictionary of Hinduism. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001. ISBN 9780198610250.
  5. ↑ Childress, David Hatcher (18 December 2013). Vimana: Flying Machines of the Ancients. SCB Distributors. ISBN 978-1-939149-23-7.
  6. ↑ 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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