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{{Use dmy dates|date=July | {{Short description|Celestial missile affiliated to Shiva}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} | |||
{{distinguish|Pashupatasutra}} | |||
[[File:Shiva gives Pashupatastra to Arjuna.jpg|thumb| [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]] gives the Pashupatastra to [[Arjuna]]]] | |||
[[ | The '''''Pashupatastra''''' ([[IAST]]: Pāśupatāstra, [[Sanskrit]]: पाशुपतास्त्र; the weapon of [[Pashupati]], an epithet of [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]]) is an [[Astra (weapon)|astra]], a celestial missile, affiliated to the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] deity [[Shiva]], as well as [[Kali]] and [[Mahadevi|Adi Parashakti]], which can be discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2012-06-29 |title=Pashupatastra, Pashupata-astra, Pāśupatāstra: 9 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/pashupatastra |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | ||
== Description == | |||
Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. In the [[Mahabharata]], [[Karna]] and [[Arjuna]], and in the [[Ramayana]], only the sage [[Vishvamitra]] and [[Rama]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.valmikiramayan.net/utf8/baala/sarga27/bala_27_frame.htm|title = Valmiki Ramayana - Baala Kanda - Sarga 27 }}</ref> possessed the Pashupatastra.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2A0lg1xRehIC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA116|title=Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11|last1=Sharma|first1=Arvind|last2=Khanna|first2=Madhu|date=2013-02-15|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313378973|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uLFmds7elBAC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA115|title=Tales From the Mahabharat|last1=Sharma|first1=Mahesh|last2=Chaturvedi|first2=B. K.|date=2006|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=9788128812286|language=en}}</ref> It is one of the six ''Mantramukta'' weapons that cannot be resisted.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/onweaponsarmyor00oppegoog | page=[https://archive.org/details/onweaponsarmyor00oppegoog/page/n41 30] | quote=Narayanastra most powerful. | title=On the Weapons, Army Organisation, and Political Maxims of the Ancient Hindus: With Special Reference to Gunpowder and Firearms| publisher=Higginbotham | last1=Oppert| first1=Gustav Salomon| year=1880}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 6.JPG|thumb|The same episode in a [[murti]], [[Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud]].]] | [[File:Deity sculpture in Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud 6.JPG|thumb|The same episode in a [[murti]], [[Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud]].]] | ||
==Literature== | |||
=== Mahabharata === | |||
After the battle at the [[Khandava Forest|Khandava]] forest, [[Indra]] had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons, as a boon for matching him in battle, with the requirement that [[Shiva]] should be appeased by him. Following the advice of [[Krishna]] to undertake a ''[[tapasya]]'' to attain this [[Astra (weapon)|divine weapon]], Arjuna left his brothers for the performance of a penance. | |||
On learning about Arjuna's penance, [[Duryodhana]] sent the [[asura]] [[Mukasura]] to kill Arjuna. Mukasura took the form of a wild boar to interrupt Arjuna's worship. Upon knowing this, Shiva appeared there, in the form of a hunter. Arjuna shot an arrow at the boar, and slew it. At the same time, Shiva (in the disguise of a kirata) had also released an arrow from his bow. A scuffle arose between the two as to whose arrow had slain the boar. The scuffle led to an exchange of arrow-fire, until Arjuna's quiver was depleted. The Pandava struck the hunter's head with his sword, which shattered to pieces. The two exchanged blows, until Arjuna was beaten senseless against the earth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2015-01-09 |title=Arjuna Obtains the Celestial Weapons [Chapter 3] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118395.html |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> | |||
{{Blockquote|text=Arjuna soon regained consciousness and began to mentally worship Lord Shiva. He mentally offered a garland, and when he looked up he saw that the garland was on the crown of the Kirata. He then understood that the Kirata was Lord Shiva, and overwhelmed with joy, Arjuna fell at his feet. Lord Shiva was satisfied with Arjuna and said, "O Phalguna, I am pleased with you, for no one can rival your prowess. There is no kshatriya who is equal to you in courage and patience. O sinless one, your strength and prowess almost equal mine. Behold me, O bull of the Bharata race. I will grant you eyes to see my true form. Without doubt you will defeat your enemies, including those in heaven. I have been pleased with you and will grant you an irresistible weapon.|title=[[Mahabharata]]|source=Vana Parva, Chapter 3}} | |||
Shiva, and his consort, [[Parvati]], offered their [[Darshan (Indian religions)|darshana]] to Arjuna, and blessed him with the Pashupatastra.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rajarajan|first=R. K. K.|title=From Purāṇic to Folk: the 'Kirātārjunīyam Ballade' and Visuals|url=https://www.academia.edu/49196507/From_Pur%C4%81%E1%B9%87ic_to_Folk_the_Kir%C4%81t%C4%81rjun%C4%AByam_Ballade_and_Visuals|journal=Eikón Imago}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Brahmastra]] | * [[Brahmastra]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Narayanastra]] | ||
* [[Astra (weapon)]] | * [[Astra (weapon)]] | ||
*[[Kirātārjunīya]] 6th-century epic poem describing | *[[Kirātārjunīya]], a 6th-century epic poem describing Arjuna’s penance | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 22:00, 22 December 2022
The Pashupatastra (IAST: Pāśupatāstra, Sanskrit: पाशुपतास्त्र; the weapon of Pashupati, an epithet of Shiva) is an astra, a celestial missile, affiliated to the Hindu deity Shiva, as well as Kali and Adi Parashakti, which can be discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. In the Mahabharata, Karna and Arjuna, and in the Ramayana, only the sage Vishvamitra and Rama[2] possessed the Pashupatastra.[3][4] It is one of the six Mantramukta weapons that cannot be resisted.[5]
Literature[edit | edit source]
Mahabharata[edit | edit source]
After the battle at the Khandava forest, Indra had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons, as a boon for matching him in battle, with the requirement that Shiva should be appeased by him. Following the advice of Krishna to undertake a tapasya to attain this divine weapon, Arjuna left his brothers for the performance of a penance.
On learning about Arjuna's penance, Duryodhana sent the asura Mukasura to kill Arjuna. Mukasura took the form of a wild boar to interrupt Arjuna's worship. Upon knowing this, Shiva appeared there, in the form of a hunter. Arjuna shot an arrow at the boar, and slew it. At the same time, Shiva (in the disguise of a kirata) had also released an arrow from his bow. A scuffle arose between the two as to whose arrow had slain the boar. The scuffle led to an exchange of arrow-fire, until Arjuna's quiver was depleted. The Pandava struck the hunter's head with his sword, which shattered to pieces. The two exchanged blows, until Arjuna was beaten senseless against the earth.[6]
Arjuna soon regained consciousness and began to mentally worship Lord Shiva. He mentally offered a garland, and when he looked up he saw that the garland was on the crown of the Kirata. He then understood that the Kirata was Lord Shiva, and overwhelmed with joy, Arjuna fell at his feet. Lord Shiva was satisfied with Arjuna and said, "O Phalguna, I am pleased with you, for no one can rival your prowess. There is no kshatriya who is equal to you in courage and patience. O sinless one, your strength and prowess almost equal mine. Behold me, O bull of the Bharata race. I will grant you eyes to see my true form. Without doubt you will defeat your enemies, including those in heaven. I have been pleased with you and will grant you an irresistible weapon.
— Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 3
Shiva, and his consort, Parvati, offered their darshana to Arjuna, and blessed him with the Pashupatastra.[7]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Brahmastra
- Narayanastra
- Astra (weapon)
- Kirātārjunīya, a 6th-century epic poem describing Arjuna’s penance
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (29 June 2012). "Pashupatastra, Pashupata-astra, Pāśupatāstra: 9 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ↑ "Valmiki Ramayana - Baala Kanda - Sarga 27".
- ↑ Sharma, Arvind; Khanna, Madhu (15 February 2013). Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313378973.
- ↑ Sharma, Mahesh; Chaturvedi, B. K. (2006). Tales From the Mahabharat. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. ISBN 9788128812286.
- ↑ Oppert, Gustav Salomon (1880). On the Weapons, Army Organisation, and Political Maxims of the Ancient Hindus: With Special Reference to Gunpowder and Firearms. Higginbotham. p. 30.
Narayanastra most powerful.
- ↑ www.wisdomlib.org (9 January 2015). "Arjuna Obtains the Celestial Weapons [Chapter 3]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ↑ Rajarajan, R. K. K. "From Purāṇic to Folk: the 'Kirātārjunīyam Ballade' and Visuals". Eikón Imago.
Resources[edit | edit source]
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola