astra shastra

In Sanskrit, Astra means, ‘An extraordinary weapon,’ in Latin, ‘Star’ and in Norse, it meant ‘Divine strength.’ In the epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Astras were widely used during the great battles described in each of them and came into high importance. They are depicted as used by archers such as Parashurama, Rama, Lakshman, Indrajit (Meghnad), Ravana, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, Arjuna, and other warriors. About Astras – Celestial Weapons of Hindu Gods In ancient times, there used to be two kinds of weapons; Shastra – Physical weapons Astra – Shastras or objects powered by divine mantras For many Astras, corresponding devatas used to have their Amsha in the body of a person who obtains the Astra. Hence getting an Astra could be done after pleasing the corresponding Devata. For example, #brahmastra was acquired after pleasing Brahma, #pashupatastra by pleasing Shiva, #vaishnavastra by pleasing Vishnu, etc. Divya Astras were generally invoked into arrows, although they could potentially be used with anything. Likewise, #ashwatthaman invoked #brahmashirsha Astra using a blade of grass as his weapon. So in order to use an Astra, one needed to have these things: Corresponding devata (called Astra devatas) in the body Mantra for the Astra Any physical object like bows and arrows, wood, the blade of grass, etc However, if the devata leaves the body of the person, then it would be of no use to try using an Astra, even if the person knows the mantra and the Vidhya (knowledge). This happened to Arjuna after Krishna left the physical world. He knew all mantras, but Astra devatas started leaving his body and he was left helplessly unable to do anything. Where did the great knowledge disappear? What happened to The Celestial Weapons? A celestial weapon (Astra) is not like a physical weapon (swords or spears), they are a form of energy. In the last yugas (Dwapara, Treta, Satya), people used to have much better memory powers and physical strengths. They used to memorize everything, and there wasn’t much need for writing down any of these scriptures. Most people who knew how to invoke the weapons died in Kurukshetra war leaving Arjuna. Another one who knew, #Ashwatthama , was cursed and forgot all his knowledge. Thus he couldn’t teach anyone. Likewise, those who remain were not worthy of such knowledge so it couldn’t be passed on and that knowledge had died with that generation. Astras were not used after the war of Mahabharata. However, Arjuna passed the knowledge of one of the Astra was passed to Vrishaketu after the Great War. After the Kurukshetra War, #vrishaketu who was the son of #Karna went to the riverside where his father used to spend hours praying to Surya Narayan. He wanted to take revenge against all his father’s enemies. However, Arjun appears in front of Vrishaketu and asks for forgiveness. Arjuna also asked him to come along with him learn the art of using a bow and arrow, become a great warrior like his father and rule the kingdom his father couldn’t rule. Arjuna treated him like his son and taught him about all the divine astras (Brahmastra, Divyastra). However, #Vrishaketu was the last person to know about the Astra Vidya because Lord Krishna asked him not to propagate anymore as, in Kaliyug, people will not use them to maintain Dharma but will misuse them for personal purposes. Krishna had told him not to pass the knowledge of the divine weapons to the next generation as the Kaliyuga was about to start and these weapons would pose mass destruction later. So we don’t see any students of Vrishakethu. Lord Shiva Sealed #Pashupatastra mantra in Kaliyug to avoid misuse of it and Lord #Parasurama is probably in penance waiting to be a mentor of Kalki. By the grace of Sri Krishna, most of the destructive science and the people who knew about it were destroyed/died after the war. But lastly God Parshuram, God Hanuman, Rishi Ved Vyas, Rishi Kripacharya and Vibhishan, all are alive and they have the divine knowledge of Astras. They are among the 7 chiranjeevis who are waiting for Lord Vishnu's 10th avatar Kalki. All the 7 Chiranjeevis are having divine knowledge of Astras and many other things. But their knowledge is hidden and only be given to Lord Kalki and not to anyone else.