Brahmastra - Revision history

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	{{About\|\|the ~~upcoming~~ film\|~~Brahmastra (film)~~}}		{{Short description\|Weapon of mass destruction in Hindu mythology}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January ~~2016~~}}		{{About\|\|the film\|Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=January ~~2016~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2022}}
	{{~~More citations needed\|date=December 2009~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=January 2017
	In ~~ancient Indian Texts, the '''Brahmastra''' ({{lang-sa\|ब्रह्‍मास्‍त्र}},~~ [[~~IAST~~]]~~: Brahmāstra) and its variants~~, the '''~~Brahmashirsha astra~~''' ~~and the~~ '''~~Brahmanda astra~~'~~'' were supernatural weapons used in the war of~~ [[~~Mahabharata~~]] ~~and are collectively called~~ '''~~Brahma weapons~~'''~~. The~~ [[~~Brahmashirsha~~ astra]] ~~was a~~ weapon that ~~was~~ said to be able to destroy the ~~world~~, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. It is one of the most destructive, powerful and irresistible weapons mentioned in Hinduism. ~~These weapons are all~~ created by Lord [[Brahma]], ~~except for brahmanda-~~astra.		}}
			{{italic title}}
			In [[Hindu mythology]], the '''''Brahmastra''''' ([[IAST]]: ''Brahmāstra'') is an ''[[Astra (weapon)\|astra]]'' (weapon) that is said to be able to destroy the whole universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Only [[Parasurama]], [[Rama]], [[Meghnada]], [[Bhisma]], [[Drona]], [[Karna]], [[Ashwatthama]], and [[Arjuna]] 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 Lord [[Brahma]] along with its more powerful variants [[Brahmashirsha astra\|Brahmashirā astra]], Brahmanda astra and Bhargavastra.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=How many times was the Brahmastra used in history and who used it? \|url=https://www.quora.com/How-many-times-was-the-Brahmastra-used-in-history-and-who-used-it/answer/Chitrarth-Medida \|access-date=2022-10-11 \|website=Quora \|language=en}}</ref>

	It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball,<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Krishnamoorthy \|first1=K. \|last2=Channakeshava \|first2=B. \|last3=Rao \|first3=H. V. Nagaraja \|title=Ānanda Bhāratī: Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Volume \|date=1995 \|publisher=Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Committee \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F91jAAAAMAAJ&q=tremendous \|language=en}}</ref> 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.		It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball,<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Krishnamoorthy \|first1=K. \|last2=Channakeshava \|first2=B. \|last3=Rao \|first3=H. V. Nagaraja \|title=Ānanda Bhāratī: Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Volume \|date=1995 \|publisher=Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Committee \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F91jAAAAMAAJ&q=tremendous \|language=en}}</ref> 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 can destroy every useful resource in a given area and ~~prevent~~ even a single blade of grass from ever growing in that area again. ~~There~~ will be no rainfall for 12 Brahma years (1 Brahma ~~year~~ = 3,~~110~~,~~400~~,~~000~~,~~000 Human~~ years<ref>{{Cite web\|title=~~Hindu units of time - Wikipedia~~\|url=https://en.~~m.wikipedia.org~~/~~wiki~~/~~Hindu_units_of_time~~\|access-date=~~2020~~-11-11\|website=~~en.m.wikipedia.org~~\|language=en}}</ref>{{~~Circular reference~~\|~~date~~=~~February 2021~~}}) and ~~climate condition will worsen~~. The ~~strike~~ of the Brahmastra ~~will eventually destroy everything~~.		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 in Epic that there will be no rainfall for 12 [[Hindu units of time\|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 [[Parikshita]] 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 for 3000 years that he will roam in the forests with blood and puss oozing out of his injuries and cry for death but death would not meet him.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Mythgyaan \|date=2017-10-16 \|title=Who is Ashwathama? Why he was cursed by Krishna? Is he still alive? \|url=https://mythgyaan.com/ashwathama-curse-still-alive/ \|access-date=2022-10-09 \|website=Mythgyaan \|language=en-US}}</ref>)<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10015.htm \| title=The Mahabharata, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 15 }}</ref>
			[[File:Narada and Vyasa came to stop Brahmasironamakastra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna.jpg\|thumb\|[[Narada]] and [[Veda Vyasa\|Vyasa]] come to stop Brahmastra used by [[Ashwatthama]] and [[Arjuna]]]]
			The origin of the word comes from the word ''Brahma'', who is the "Creator" in [[Hindu culture]]. The idea that Brahmastra is the most powerful weapon can be understood by the kind of weapons that were used according to Hindu culture. The [[Trimurti]], which consists of the three main Gods, Brahma, [[Vishnu]] and [[Shiva]], each wielding an astra, have them according to their characteristics.

	== Variants ==		== Variants ==

	===~~Brahmashira~~ Astra===		=== Brahmashirā Astra ===
	~~[[File:Narada and Vyasa came to stop Brahmasironamakastra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna.jpg\|thumb\|[[Narada]] and [[Veda Vyasa\|Vyasa]] come to stop Brahmashira Astra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna]]~~

	The '''~~Brahmashira~~ Astra''' (Brahma's head weapon),<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Maehle \|first1=Gregor \|title=Ashtanga Yoga: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice \|date=2009 \|publisher=New World Library \|isbn=9781577316695 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWmiAAAAQBAJ&q=Ashtanga%20yoga%~~20brahmashira~~&pg=PA191 \|language=en}}</ref> manifests with four heads of ~~brahma~~ at the front and is four times stronger than the normal ~~brahmastra~~.<ref>{{cite ~~journal~~ \|title=Brahmaśiras ~~- Oxford Reference~~ \|year=2009 \|doi=10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001 \|isbn=9780198610250 \|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001/acref-9780198610250-e-542 \|language=en}}</ref> Brahmanda ~~Astra~~ is a weapon ~~that manifests with the fifth head~~ of Brahma ~~at the front~~. It is a ~~weapon that was~~ capable of ~~destroying the world~~.~~<ref>{{cite web \|title=The Mahabharata~~, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 12 \|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10012.htm \|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> [[Arjuna]] and [[Ashwatthama]] almost used the astra against each other near the end of the ~~[[Kurukshetra War]]~~, ~~however both were stopped by [[Narada]] and [[Vyasa]] to prevent~~ the ~~destruction of the world~~.		The '''Brahmashirā Astra''' (Brahma's head weapon),<ref>{{cite book \|last1=Maehle \|first1=Gregor \|title=Ashtanga Yoga: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice \|date=2009 \|publisher=New World Library \|isbn=9781577316695 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWmiAAAAQBAJ&q=Ashtanga%20yoga%20bramhashira&pg=PA191 \|language=en}}</ref> manifests with four heads of [[Brahma]] at the front and is four times stronger than the normal Brahmastra. [[Arjuna]], [[Drona]], [[Karna]], [[Ashwatthama]] and [[Bhishma]] possessed this knowledge in [[Mahabharata]]. <ref>{{cite book \|title=A Dictionary of Hinduism\|author=
			W. J. Johnson \|chapter=Brahmaśiras \|year=2009 \|publisher=Oxford University Press \|doi=10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001 \|isbn=9780198610250 \|chapter-url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001/acref-9780198610250-e-542 \|language=en}}</ref>
			=== 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 Brahmadanda that protected him from the lethal weapon.

	==Uses==		==Uses==
	There are numerous instances within Sanskrit theological scriptures where the Brahmastra is used or its use is threatened, including:		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 [[~~Brahmanda astra~~\|Brahmadanda Astra]].		*Maharaja Kaushika (who later became [[Brahmarshi]] [[Vishvamitra]]) used it against [[Maharishi]] [[Vasishta]], but the Brahmastra was swallowed by Vasishta's [[Brahmastra#Brahmashirsha_Astra\|Brahmadanda Astra]].
	*[[Indrajit]] used the ~~nagasthira~~ against the army of [[Rama]] in the [[Ramayana]]. ~~Lakhsmana~~ 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]].		*[[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]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=India through the ages\|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada\|last=Gopal\|first=Madan\|year= 1990\| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/80 80]\|editor=K.S. Gautam\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> According to the [[Ramayana]], the weapon was also aimed at [[~~Varuna~~]] 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, ~~Varuna~~ 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.		*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]].<ref>{{cite book\|title=India through the ages\|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada\|last=Gopal\|first=Madan\|year= 1990\| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/80 80]\|editor=K.S. Gautam\|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> 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.
	<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">		<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
	File:Killing of Rawana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi.jpg\|Killing of Ravana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi		File:Killing of Rawana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi.jpg\|Killing of Ravana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi
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	==See also==		==See also==
	*[[~~Sanskrit Epics~~]]		*[[Indian epic poetry]]
	**[[Ramayana]]		**[[Ramayana]]
	**[[Mahabharata]]		**[[Mahabharata]]
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	**[[Brahma]]		**[[Brahma]]
	**[[Brahmani]]		**[[Brahmani]]
	**[[~~Vyuha~~]]		**[[Vyūha]]

	==References==		==References==

2401:4900:5C97:EC9:3C7A:BBEA:3711:D9C5 at 14:26, 22 June 2021

2021-06-22T14:26:34Z

New page

{{About||the upcoming film|Brahmastra (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
In ancient Indian Texts, the '''Brahmastra''' ({{lang-sa|ब्रह्‍मास्‍त्र}}, [[IAST]]: Brahmāstra) and its variants, the '''Brahmashirsha astra''' and the '''Brahmanda astra''' were supernatural weapons used in the war of [[Mahabharata]] and are collectively called '''Brahma weapons'''. The [[Brahmashirsha astra]] was a weapon that was said to be able to destroy the world, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. It is one of the most destructive, powerful and irresistible weapons mentioned in Hinduism. These weapons are all created by Lord [[Brahma]], except for brahmanda-astra.

It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Krishnamoorthy |first1=K. |last2=Channakeshava |first2=B. |last3=Rao |first3=H. V. Nagaraja |title=Ānanda Bhāratī: Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Volume |date=1995 |publisher=Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy Felicitation Committee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F91jAAAAMAAJ&q=tremendous |language=en}}</ref> 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 can destroy every useful resource in a given area and prevent even a single blade of grass from ever growing in that area again. There will be no rainfall for 12 Brahma years (1 Brahma year = 3,110,400,000,000 Human years<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hindu units of time - Wikipedia|url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_units_of_time|access-date=2020-11-11|website=en.m.wikipedia.org|language=en}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=February 2021}}) and climate condition will worsen. The strike of the Brahmastra will eventually destroy everything.

== Variants ==

===Brahmashira Astra===
[[File:Narada and Vyasa came to stop Brahmasironamakastra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna.jpg|thumb|[[Narada]] and [[Veda Vyasa|Vyasa]] come to stop Brahmashira Astra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna]]

The '''Brahmashira Astra''' (Brahma's head weapon),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maehle |first1=Gregor |title=Ashtanga Yoga: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice |date=2009 |publisher=New World Library |isbn=9781577316695 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWmiAAAAQBAJ&q=Ashtanga%20yoga%20brahmashira&pg=PA191 |language=en}}</ref> manifests with four heads of brahma at the front and is four times stronger than the normal brahmastra.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Brahmaśiras - Oxford Reference |year=2009 |doi=10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001 |isbn=9780198610250 |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001/acref-9780198610250-e-542 |language=en}}</ref> Brahmanda Astra is a weapon that manifests with the fifth head of Brahma at the front. It is a weapon that was capable of destroying the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 12 |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10012.htm |website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> [[Arjuna]] and [[Ashwatthama]] almost used the astra against each other near the end of the [[Kurukshetra War]], however both were stopped by [[Narada]] and [[Vyasa]] to prevent the destruction of the world.

==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 [[Brahmanda astra|Brahmadanda Astra]].
*[[Indrajit]] used the nagasthira against the army of [[Rama]] in the [[Ramayana]]. Lakhsmana 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]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/80 80]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> According to the [[Ramayana]], the weapon was also aimed at [[Varuna]] 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, Varuna 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.
<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:Killing of Rawana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi.jpg|Killing of Ravana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi
File:Rama Pursues Kakasura with a Magical Grass-Arrow.jpg|Rama Pursues Kakasura ([[Jayanta]]) with a Magical Grass-Arrow
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Sanskrit Epics]]
**[[Ramayana]]
**[[Mahabharata]]
**[[Puranas]]
**[[Brahma]]
**[[Brahmani]]
**[[Vyuha]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hindu deities and texts}}

[[Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology]]