Celestial weapons

The epics mention the use of astras and shastras. Generally astra refers to a weapon that can be thrown or launched, like a spear or trident, while shastra refers to a weapon held in hand or worn on the body and used in close bodily combat, like sword and shield or mace.

Incantations invoking celestials rendered ordinary weapons infallible. Well known astras in this category are sarpastra, varunastra etc. Indrajit (a k a Meghnaad), the son of Raavana, had immense powers and was well versed in sorcery. He held the dubious distinction of possessing the astras of the trinity, Bramhastra, Vaishnavastra and Pashupatastra. He also had the unique ability to create illusions.

When Raama prayed to Varuna, the Lord of the oceans, to show him a way to cross the ocean to Lanka, Varuna remained unresponsive. In a rare display of anger, Raama invoked the Bramhastra. Fearing catastrophe,Varuna fearfully appeared before Raama, imploring him not to use the astra. However, divine astras once invoked could not be withdrawn. (Furthermore Raama was renowned for his ability to strike any target with a single arrow which once he drew out of his quiver would not be placed back into it). Upon Varuna’s plea and suggestion (to launch it toward a place called Drumatulya), Raama is said to have directed the Bramhastra toward the Northwestern part of India, which remains a desert to this day (Thar desert).

Sharanga is the celestial bow of Vishnu. In his avataara as Raama, this bow, referred to as Saaranga or as ‘Kodanda’ (which literally means bow), was presented to Raama by another avataara of Vishnu, Parashuraama. Raama is also called Kodandaraama or Kodanda-paani. Raama had an inexhaustible quiver gifted by the sage Agastya.

The bow of Shiva that Raama broke in two (after respectfully bowing to it) was Shiv-dhanush calledPinaka. Shiva is said to have used the Pinaka in his avataara as Tripuraantaka. He is also known as Pinaka-paani. Both the Sharanga and Pinaka were created by Vishwakarma.

Raavana fought with his powerful bare hands. But he also possessed a very powerful sword called Chandrahaasa. It was with the Chandrahaasa that he cut off the wings of Jataayu. This sword belonged to Lord Shiva who had gifted it to Raavana. Legend has it that Raavana was unable to fly over the mountain Kailash in the PushpakaVimaana, which he had confiscated from his half-brother Kubera. Powerful and arrogant he began to heave the mountain with his twenty arms. Shiva merely pressed his toe and the mighty Kailash came down trapping Raavana underneath for a thousand years. Humbled, Raavana began to sing praises of Lord Shiva (which came to be known as Shiva Taandavastotra) and won over Shiva. Pleased, Shiva gifted him his indestructible sword to be used for just purposes. Which, of course, it wasn’t.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S980-z1qx3g

While the Vaanaras used their fists, boulders, uprooted trees and whatever else they could lay their hands on, Hanuman is depicted with a mace. The mace is associated with Hanuma and Bheema, the two avataaras of Vayu devaru. In his third avataara as Madhwaacharya, the acharya is said to have displayed his ability to wield the celestial mace of Bheema, which had lain hidden all those years.