Divine weapons:
Divine weapons are very powerful and are presided over by a Devi or Devta. The knowledge to use these was taught by gurus to their very selective students, and that also, verbally. Even ordinary things like grass can be converted into a weapon if proper protocols are followed. To give these weapons divine power, Devi or Devtas are invoked by chanting of mantras and concentration. Some of these weapons are for personal use of Devtas and Trimurti. Some have to be obtained directly from Devtas or Trimurti and are passed from one to another in sequence. Some weapons are used against one person and some against many together. The effect of some of these weapons are localized and some of these have widespread devastating effect.
The person who bears these weapons is called Astradhari. Some of the Astradharis are - Bhagwan Ram, Laxman, Parshuram, Indrajit, Ravan, Bhishma, Dron, Karn, Ashwathama, Arjun, Guru Kripa, Yudhisthir. Arjun gave this knowledge to Karn’s son Vrishketu. After Vrishketu and Krishna’s death, no one has this knowledge.
Following weapons have been described in hindu scriptures:
Astra
Agney astra emits agni. It is in the form of an arrow and agni comes out from its pointed end. Its counter is Varun astra which discharges water, and the counter for the Varun astra is Visoshan astra, which can dry anything. Indra possessed it. Indra also had a net which was used to entangle enemies. Ashwathama used it against the Pandav army.
Vayu astra brings a severe gust of wind and can increase the effects of Agney astra. It can lift entire army and elephants.
Sailastra makes winds disappear. This can counter Vayu astra. It was used by Drona and Arjun.
Surya astra brings very bright light and removes darkness.
Vajra astra, possessed by Indra, brings lightning. Indra’s Vasavi Shakti was used by Karn against Ghatochkach in Mahabharat.
Nag astra is a deadly snake form used by Karn against Arjun in Mahabharat and by Indrajit against Ram in Ramayan. Its counter is the Suparna astra which releases crazy birds. It was used by Susharma when Arjun used Nag astra. Garud astra is also a defense against Nagastra and was used by Ram in Ramayan.
Anjalik astra was used by Arjun against Karn. It is in the form of an arrow. It was capable of penetrating the very vitals, besmeared with blood and flesh, resembling fire or the sun, made of expensive materials, destructive of men, steeds, and elephants, of straight course and fierce impetuosity.It measured 3 cubits and 6 feet or 128 inch long. Karn was finally killed by Anjlika astra.
Twashtar astra confuses people in a group so that they start fighting with each other and thinking of each other as enemy.
Tvastar was son of Rishi Kashyap and Aditi. He created three worlds.
Aindra astra brings a shower of arrows from the sky. Its presiding Devta is Indra. It can be countered by Antardhyan astra.
Antardhyan astra was given to Kuber by Arjun, and it makes things, people and places disappear.
Sanmohan astra causes the target to go into a trance like state. It was used by Ajun against Kaurav army in war.
Prajnaastra is counter for Antardhyan and Sammohan astra and it restores senses and thought.
Parvat astra makes a parvat fall from sky on the target.
Jyotish astra belongs to Surya Devta. It brightens dark areas and was used by Arjun.
Kaldand belongs to Yam Devta. It kills anyone who is in front of it no matter what boon he has to protect himself.
Brahmastra was created by Brahma using mind energy. It can be used only once in a lifetime and is described in Purans. It is very deadly. It makes land unlivable. Ram used it on Ravan. Bhim used it to kill Swet, son of Virat. Yudhister used it to defeat Dronacharya, Ashwathama used it in Mahabharat. Lav and Kush used it on Bharat and killed him. Arjun, Bhishma, and Karn also had it. Many believe that there is no defense against it but is mentioned in Mahabharat that Pradyumn used it on Salwa but he survived. Also, Krishna reversed its effects on Parikshit. Rishi Narayan used Narayan astra to counter Brahmastra used by Prahlad.
Brahmand astra or Brahm Dand or Meru Dand was created by Saptrishi and has the power to destroy whole brahmand. Its effects are similar to atomic bomb. This weapon has 5 heads of Brahma at its tip. Vishwamitra used many weapons against Rishi Vashistha who used this weapon to counter all those. Means it can counter any divine weapon. Its effect is deadly even to celestials.
Brahm Shira is stronger than Brahmand astra Brahmastra. It was also created by Brahma using mind energy. It has 4 heads of Brahma at its tip. It can even kill Devtas. It causes destruction for 12 years. No growth and rain occurs and metals become poisonous. Arjun and Ashwatthama had this weapon. Indrajit used it against vanars and Ram Laxman.
Vaishnava astra is possessed by Bhagwan Vishnu. It was used by Bhagdatt on Arjun but Krishna saved Arjun. The bearer of this weapon becomes invincible.
Narayan astra—It splits into millions of arrows and discs and if resistance is encountered it becomes more powerful. Only defense is disarmament and total submission to Vishnu and this weapon. It was used by Dhruv against Yaksha and by Rishi Narayan to counter Brahmastra used by Prahlad. It was also used by Ashwathama against Pandavs in Kurushetra war. All Pandavs dropped their weapons, laid down on the ground, and surrendered completely to this weapon. It can be used only once in a war. If used twice then it kills the users own army. Krishna, Drona and Ashwatthama had knowledge of this weapon.
Pashupata astra was possessed by Bhagwan Shiv and then by Indrajit and Arjun. It brings a storm of many monsters and a huge spirit and can end all life on earth. It can explode also and can be used against Divine people. This astra can not be used against less warriors. It can be discharged with mind, eyes, words or with a bow. It was used by Arjun to kill Jaydrath, and Meghnad used it against Laxman. Ravan used it against Yam. Arjun also used it against asur Pauloma and Kalakeya. The arrowhead of this weapon was different every time it was invoked. It is used to uphold Dharm, otherwise it returns.
Bhargav astra was possessed by Parshuram who gave it to Karn. Karn used it against Pandavs. It can evade any military formation and can cut through all enemy defences. Indrajit was capable of wielding Brahmand astra, Pashupata astra and Vaishnav astra at the same time.
Danush baan
Saranga and Vaishnav are Vishnu’s dhanush. Vishnu gave it to Parshuram, Parashuram to Ram, and Ram to Varun, and it was used by Krishna also.
Kodandam is Ram’s bow.
Govardhan bow belonged to Vishnu who gave it to Vidur in Mahabharat.
Vijay dhanush of Shiv was given by Shiv to Indra, Indra to Parshuram, Parashuram to Karn. Shiv’s arrow can destroy creation and it returns to quiver after being used.
Pinaka is Shiv’s bow. Shiv gave it to Raja Janak and then Ram broke it during Sita’s swayamvar.
Sharkha is Krishna’s bow.
Brahma’s arrow was given by Agastey rishi to Ram. It had feathers of winds, Sun and flames as end point and shaft of Meru Parvat. In Ramayan when Ram fired arrows on Ravans head to knock them, Ravan’s head grew back and his strength increased. Then Ram used Brahma’s arrow and directed it to Ravans chest. The arrow passed through Ravan’s body and came back to Rams quiver.
Kam Devta’s bow was made of sugarcane with strings of honeybees and arrows had fragrant flowers
Gandiva bow was created by Brahma. This bow was worshiped by Devta, Gandharva and Danav. After Brahma it was in possession of Prajapati, Indra, Som, Varun and Arjun. This bow had double curve, gold parts, bright, radiant ends, 108 strings, and made a thundering sound when used. Varun gave it to Arjun on Agni Devta’s request. Arjun used it in Kurushetra war.
Mahendra and Vyavaya bow of Yudhisthir
Vaishnav bow of Nakul
Ashvin bow of sahadev
Vijay bow of Karn
Agney bow of Satanika
Raudra bow
Teen baan of Shivji. Barbarika or Kathushyam received teen baan fron Shivji. One baan can destroy all enemies in war and then it returns to her quiver.
Chakra
Sudarshan Chakra belonged to Vishnu and could not be stopped by anyone. It was made from Sundust by vishwakarma . It was circular with spinning capability and had 108 serrated and sharp edges. It was used against those who committed 100 acts of crime/cruelty, each deserving death punishment. It was used by Krishn to cut Shishupals head during Yudhister’s Rajasuy yagn. It was also used to cut corpse of Sati into 51 pieces. The places where these 51 pieces were placed came to be known as Shakti Peeths.
Maheshwar Chakra belonged to Shivji.
Gada
Kaumodaki gada - Vishnu
Ekasha gada - Shivji
Gada possessed by Hanuman
Gada of Bhim
Saunanda of Balaram
Shibika of Kuber Devta
Swords or Khanda
Girish sword of Shivji
Nandaka is sword of Vishnu
Nistrimsha is sword of Pradyumn, son of Krishn
Pattayudh is sword of Virbhadra who was head of Shiva’s army
Asi is sword of Drona. Initially it was Brahma’s form in the shape of a blazing, and very sharp edged sword which was glowing like flames and was used to destroy enemies of Devtas and to restore Dharm.
Chandrahas is sword of Ravan, given to him by Shivji
Paash
Dharm paash
Ganesh Paash
Kaal Paash
Nag paash coils around target in the form of a venomous snake. This was used on Bhagwan Ram and Laxman by Indrajit.
Varun Paash of Varun Devta was a powerful noose. It could catch humans, asurs and Devtas.
Yam Paash. Not effective against Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh
Shiv Praham is a long noose
Trishul
Trishul of shivji. It was made by Vishwakarma. It was used to cut the original head of Ganeshji. Trishul’s central point represents Shushman and is longer than the other two points.
Madhu’s Trishul was given by Shivji to Madhu Rakshaas
Spear
Vel is spear given by Parvati to Kartikey to kill soorapadman asur. Kartikey then split the mango tree in two halves. One becomes a rooster called Seval and other becomes Peacock called Mayil. The peacock is his vahan and the rooster is the emblem on his battle flag.
Jayantha Vel is a spear which has the power of third eye of Shivji.
Vajra
Shivji’s Vajr
Indra’s Vajr was made from Rishi Dadhichi’s spinal bones by Tvastar and was used to kill Vritra demon and Trishira. Indra used it on Bal Hanuman, who was invulnerable to it.
Miscellaneous
Tanka is Indra’s axe
Parashu, an axe, was given by Shivji to Parashuram and then to Ganeshji. It has 4 cutting edges, one at each end of blade head and one at each end of shaft. Parshuram’s name was Ram. Because of this axe he was called Parashuram.
Balaram had Samvartak plough
Chentu was a horse whip and looked like a crooked stick. Krishna has this as Rajgopala and Shiva had it with Nandi.
Ankush is used for training and handling of elephants.
Bharti Raizada