Brahmastra

For the upcoming film, see Brahmastra (film).

In ancient Indian Texts, the Brahmastra (Sanskrit: ब्रह्‍मास्‍त्र, IAST: Brahmāstra) and its variants, the Brahmashirsha astra were supernatural weapons 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.

It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball, 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 doesn't possess an alternate counter weapon. If it is Bhrmashiras Astra it makes collateral damage and 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 Brahma years (1 Brahma year = 3,110,400,000,000 Human years; 12 Brahma years = 37324800000000 Human years) and climate conditions will worsen. The strike of the Brahmastra will eventually destroy everything.

Variants

Brahmashira Astra

Narada and Vyasa come to stop Brahmashira Astra used by Aswatthama and Arjuna

The Brahmashira Astra (Brahma's head weapon), manifests with four heads of brahma at the front and is four times stronger than the normal brahmastra. Brahmadanda Astra is a weapon that can be possessed by a Bhraman of High Bhrama energy by penance, The popular belief about this weapon possessed by Kshatriya warriors is high of false notion made by baseless serial telecasts. Even the term Bhramanda itself is not seen in either of the Epics as it could be an adaptation later on to that of Bhrama Danda. Bhramadanda is a counter weapon that is capable of defending any of the personal centric Trimurthi weapon as Vasishta defended Vaiswamithra . 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 Brahmadanda Astra.
• 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. 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.

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  Killing of Ravana Painting by Balasaheb Pant Pratinidhi

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  Rama Pursues Kakasura (Jayanta) with a Magical Grass-Arrow

See also

• Sanskrit Epics
  • Ramayana
  • Mahabharata
  • Puranas
  • Brahma
  • Brahmani
  • Vyuha