Brahmastra

The Brahmastra (

It is termed as a fiery weapon that creates a fierce fireball,[1] blazing up with terrible flames and countless horrendous thunder flashes. When discharged, all nature including trees, oceans, and animals tremble. The sky surrounds with flame, glaciers melt, and mountains shatter with copious noise all around.^{[citation needed]}

When used, the Brahmastra which is person-centric can destroy a powerful enemy if they does not possess an alternate counter weapon. If it is Brahmashirā astra, it causes collateral damage to 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 that there would be no rainfall for 12 Brahma years (12 Brahma years = 37.32 trillion human years) and climate conditions will worsen. The strike of the Brahmashirā astra will eventually destroy everything.^{[citation needed]}

When

The Brahma Danda (Brahma's rod) or also known as Brahmanda, is a weapon of self-defence, created by Brahma. It is only to be possessed by Brahmanas and its powers are dependent on its owner. The weapon is a rod capable of absorbing any incoming attack towards its owner. When Vishvamitra, in a fit of anger, unleashed the Brahmastra onto Vasishtha, it was his Brahmanda that protected him from the lethal weapon.^{[citation needed]}

Literature

There are numerous instances within Sanskrit theological scriptures where the Brahmastra is used or its use is threatened, including:

• Kaushika (who later became
  Vasishta, but the Brahmastra was swallowed by Vasishta's Brahma danda.^{[citation needed}
  ]
• Indrajita used the Brahmastra against
  Brahma.^{[citation needed}
  ]
• In the
  Maricha in their last encounter, and finally the Brahmastra was used in the last battle with the rakshasa emperor Ravana.^[6] 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. This incident is mentioned in Yuddha Kanda 22 Sarga, Verse 31.^{[citation needed}
  ]

• Narayanastra
• Pashupatastra
• Varunastra

References