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We were discussing about various astras , so here's the list of various astras and difference between Arrow and Astra.
Difference between Astra and BaaN/Arrow:
Astra is a misslile which is "fired" at while an arrow is released.
Astra can be recalled but arrow once released from the bow cannot be recalled. The recalling has to be taught by the guru who teaches the acquiring of astra.
Kinds of astras
* Aishika astra: Also known as Bramha shira is employed through the medium of a reed or stem of grass. Indra putra Jayanta gets a taste of this astra released by Rama. Also used by Ashwatthama , who tried to abort Uttara's foetus.
* Mohani astra:which sends the enemy reeling in a swoon.
* The Soshana astra: which sucks up moisture from the air,is capable of choking up thousands of people
* The Santapana astra which generates excessive heat, scalding the enemy forces.
* Prasvapana- Sleep inducing astra
* Vilaapana-Weep inducing astra (Tear gas?)
* Bramhastra, Pashupatastra, Vaishnava astra: The ultimate destructive astra of Bramha, Shiva and Vishnu capable of destroying the whole universe.
* Narayan astra: A poisonous gas breathing which a person dies instantly (explained by P V Vartak, in his book Swayambhu)
* Indra astra : A lethal missile of Indra which even he cannot use repeatedly against his enemies , very destructive doesn't leave its target unstriked.
* Agneyastra, Varunastra, Vayavyastra- Missiles of Agni, Varuna and Vayu respectively
All the astras are said to be of destructive nature and are used as a last resort.
The above given list is not exhaustive plz add to the list...
Who can acquire an astra??
A Guru does not grant the knowledge of every astra to every person. Only a selected few; He ensures that the mindset of the person who receives training is proper and correct for training. He should be made of such a metal that he does not misuse the power that he would own. The disciple should pass this test first. And then he has to give an assurance, a promise, to the Guru, not to use the astra unless and until the situation becomes so bad that the person ? and the persons protected by the proposed recipient ? are in danger of being killed.
an astra is to be used only in extremely unavoidable circumstances; and not just like that in any scuffle or a brawl The fact that an astra is to be handled with due fear and respect for life of fellow human beings and creatures and even plant life and the environment as a whole, is driven deep in the minds of the recipient of the training as the very first step. And thereafter, the training commences. The disciple learns the mantra for the specific astra. Rama learnt so many mantras ? since the divine weapons were so many in number, more than a hundred and odd ? difficult to learn; difficult to memorise; difficult to retain; difficult to recall, even by gods. "Getting purified (through ablutions, etc.) and sitting with his face turned towards the east, Viswamitra (the foremost of hermits), who was highly delighted imparted to Sri Rama a string of Mantras (sacred texts capable of invoking the missiles) unexcelled by others (in their fields). The Brahmana (Viswamitra) then delivered to Sri Rama (as well as to Lakshmana) the missiles which could not be easily retained in one's memory in their entirety even by gods."
(1-27-22) (1-27-23)
Ram reminds Lakshman that he shoudn't resort to Bramhastra when he is fighting Meghnad since Bramhastra brings destruction (Yuddha kand)
The training of an astra is controlling the direction, limiting its power to specific targets ? if required ? and changing the course of the missile while it is in flight.
the Guru always weighs the level of maturity of the disciple at every step, every stage, and his ability to hold himself, if he were to be endowed with superior power, his ability to restrain himself, not to exercise the power acquired for every little thing.
We find in Ramayan that Ravan, Indrajeet, Kumbhakarna all acquire astras by tapas (gHora) where the deity cannot deny but give what is asked for.
Thats the difference between Ram and Ravan.
Difference between Astra and BaaN/Arrow:
Astra is a misslile which is "fired" at while an arrow is released.
Astra can be recalled but arrow once released from the bow cannot be recalled. The recalling has to be taught by the guru who teaches the acquiring of astra.
Kinds of astras
* Aishika astra: Also known as Bramha shira is employed through the medium of a reed or stem of grass. Indra putra Jayanta gets a taste of this astra released by Rama. Also used by Ashwatthama , who tried to abort Uttara's foetus.
* Mohani astra:which sends the enemy reeling in a swoon.
* The Soshana astra: which sucks up moisture from the air,is capable of choking up thousands of people
* The Santapana astra which generates excessive heat, scalding the enemy forces.
* Prasvapana- Sleep inducing astra
* Vilaapana-Weep inducing astra (Tear gas?)
* Bramhastra, Pashupatastra, Vaishnava astra: The ultimate destructive astra of Bramha, Shiva and Vishnu capable of destroying the whole universe.
* Narayan astra: A poisonous gas breathing which a person dies instantly (explained by P V Vartak, in his book Swayambhu)
* Indra astra : A lethal missile of Indra which even he cannot use repeatedly against his enemies , very destructive doesn't leave its target unstriked.
* Agneyastra, Varunastra, Vayavyastra- Missiles of Agni, Varuna and Vayu respectively
All the astras are said to be of destructive nature and are used as a last resort.
The above given list is not exhaustive plz add to the list...
Who can acquire an astra??
A Guru does not grant the knowledge of every astra to every person. Only a selected few; He ensures that the mindset of the person who receives training is proper and correct for training. He should be made of such a metal that he does not misuse the power that he would own. The disciple should pass this test first. And then he has to give an assurance, a promise, to the Guru, not to use the astra unless and until the situation becomes so bad that the person ? and the persons protected by the proposed recipient ? are in danger of being killed.
an astra is to be used only in extremely unavoidable circumstances; and not just like that in any scuffle or a brawl The fact that an astra is to be handled with due fear and respect for life of fellow human beings and creatures and even plant life and the environment as a whole, is driven deep in the minds of the recipient of the training as the very first step. And thereafter, the training commences. The disciple learns the mantra for the specific astra. Rama learnt so many mantras ? since the divine weapons were so many in number, more than a hundred and odd ? difficult to learn; difficult to memorise; difficult to retain; difficult to recall, even by gods. "Getting purified (through ablutions, etc.) and sitting with his face turned towards the east, Viswamitra (the foremost of hermits), who was highly delighted imparted to Sri Rama a string of Mantras (sacred texts capable of invoking the missiles) unexcelled by others (in their fields). The Brahmana (Viswamitra) then delivered to Sri Rama (as well as to Lakshmana) the missiles which could not be easily retained in one's memory in their entirety even by gods."
(1-27-22) (1-27-23)
Ram reminds Lakshman that he shoudn't resort to Bramhastra when he is fighting Meghnad since Bramhastra brings destruction (Yuddha kand)
The training of an astra is controlling the direction, limiting its power to specific targets ? if required ? and changing the course of the missile while it is in flight.
the Guru always weighs the level of maturity of the disciple at every step, every stage, and his ability to hold himself, if he were to be endowed with superior power, his ability to restrain himself, not to exercise the power acquired for every little thing.
We find in Ramayan that Ravan, Indrajeet, Kumbhakarna all acquire astras by tapas (gHora) where the deity cannot deny but give what is asked for.
Thats the difference between Ram and Ravan.