Pashupatastra

File:Shiva gives Pashupatastra to Arjuna.jpg

Shiva gives Pashupatastra to Arjuna

The Pashupatastra (IAST: Pāśupatāstra, sanskrit: पाशुपतास्त्र; the weapon of Pasupati, an epithet of Shiva) is an irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Shiva, Kali and Adi Para Shakti, which can be discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow. Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. Pashupatastra is the most destructive, powerful, irresistible weapon mentioned in the Hindu mythology. In Mahabharata, only Arjuna; and in Ramayana, sage Vishvamitra and Rama possessed Pashupatastra. It is one of the six Mantramukta weapons that cannot be resisted.

The same episode in a murti, Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud.

A narrative from Kisari Mohan Ganguli's translation of Mahabharat regarding the power of Pashupatastra:

O thou of mighty arms, that weapon is superior to the Brahma, the Narayana, the Aindra, the Agneya, and the Varuna weapons. Verily, it is capable of neutralising every other weapon in the universe. It was with that weapon that the illustrious Mahadeva had in days of yore, burnt and consumed in a moment the triple city of the Asuras. With the greatest ease, O Govinda, Mahadev, using that single arrow, achieved that feat. That weapon, shot by Mahadeva's arms, can, without doubt consume in half the time taken up by a twinkling of the eyes the entire universe with all its mobile and immobile creatures. In the universe there is no being including Brahma, Vishnu and the Goddess Lakshmi, Parvati, Sarasvati that are incapable of being slain by that weapon.

Arjuna's penance for Pashupatastra

Main article: Mahabharatham

After the battle at Khandava, Indra had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as a boon for matching him in battle with the requirement that Shiva is pleased with him. Following the advice of Krishna to go on meditation or tapasya to attain this divine weapon, Arjuna left his brothers for a penance on Indrakeeladri Hill in Vijayavatika, known in the present day as Vijayawada in Andhra.

On learning about Arjuna's penance, Duryodhana sent a demon 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. It is also believed that the four Vedas accompanied Shiva in the form of dogs to protect Arjuna. Arjuna shot an arrow at the boar and killed it. At the same time, Shiva had also released an arrow from his bow. There after a scuffle arose between the two as to whose arrow had killed the boar. The scuffle led to a fight and Arjuna broke Shiva's bow since Arjuna fought with his Gandiva and Shiva came with normal bow instead of Pinaka. Then both of them were involved in sword fighting and wrestling. Shiva sliced and stabbed Arjuna many times and blood started flowing out like a stream. Shiva disarmed Arjuna's sword after which they began wrestling. Shiva lifted and threw down Arjuna many times. Still Arjuna rose up and was ready to attack. At last, Arjuna realised that the hunter was none other than Shiva himself and begged his pardon. Shiva and Goddess Parvati gave darshan to Arjuna and blessed him with the Pashupatastra.

See also

• Brahmastra
• Pashupata Shaivism
• Astra (weapon)
• Kirātārjunīya, a 6th-century epic poem describing Arjuna’s penance

Resources

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola