Changes

== '''Vayavyastra''' ==

== '''Vayavyastra''' ==

Arjuna used the Vayavyastra against the Trigartas in the great battle. (Chapter 102, Bhisma Parva).

Arjuna used the Vayavyastra against the Trigartas in the great battle. (Chapter 102, Bhisma Parva).

Atikaya went to Gokarna and did penance to please Brahma. Brahma appeared, but being fully absorbed in Samadhi, Atikaya was not aware of his presence. Even his [life-breath had been stopped. Brahma, by his power, instilled life-breath into him and restored him to consciousness. He granted Atikaya all the boons he asked for. They were three in number. The first was the gift of Brahmastra which could smash anyone. The second was the gift of an armour which was unassailable by anyone. The third was absence of thirst, desire and other cravings. (Page 73, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

Atikaya went to Gokarna and did penance to please Brahma. Brahma appeared, but being fully absorbed in Samadhi, Atikaya was not aware of his presence. Even his [life-breath had been stopped. Brahma, by his power, instilled life-breath into him and restored him to consciousness. He granted Atikaya all the boons he asked for. They were three in number. The first was the gift of Brahmastra which could smash anyone. The second was the gift of an armour which was unassailable by anyone. The third was absence of thirst, desire and other cravings. (Page 73, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

BRAHMASTRA. This is known by another name Brahmasirastra also. This weapon was given to Agastya by Siva. It is mentioned in Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 138, Stanza 9, that Agastya gave this weapon to Agnivesa, who gave it to Drona and Drona gave it to Arjuna and instructed him about the use of it as follows : "You should never shoot this arrow at man. If it is used against mean people the three worlds would be destroyed. It is said that this weapon has no parallel in the world. Keep this pure, and give ear to what I say. If an enemy, other than human being attacks you, this weapon may be used to kill him in battle." (Page 159, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

BRAHMASTRA. This is known by another name Brahmasirastra also. This weapon was given to Agastya by Siva. It is mentioned in Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 138, Stanza 9, that Agastya gave this weapon to Agnivesa, who gave it to Drona and Drona gave it to Arjuna and instructed him about the use of it as follows : "You should never shoot this arrow at man. If it is used against mean people the three worlds would be destroyed. It is said that this weapon has no parallel in the world. Keep this pure, and give ear to what I say. If an enemy, other than human being attacks you, this weapon may be used to kill him in battle." (Page 159, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

By using Agneyastra (the arrow of fire) Asvatthama made Krsna and Arjuna fall fainting in the battle-field. (Page 68, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

By using Agneyastra (the arrow of fire) Asvatthama made Krsna and Arjuna fall fainting in the battle-field. (Page 68, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

== '''PASUPATA. II.''' ==

== '''Pasupata astra''' ==

The missile of Siva. Arjuna during his exile in the forests performed penance to propitiate Siva and got this missile from him. Siva has a bow named Pinaka. Pasupata is the arrow that is used on that bow. Pinaka is a serpent with the colours of a rainbow. It has seven heads and has fierce canine teeth. Poison flows from them always. The string of the bow is wound round the neck of Siva. The arrow, bright like the sun and equal to the fire of death, is the Pasupata. It will burn all that it touches. Neither Narayanastra, Brahmastra, Agneyastra nor Varunastra can stand against this. In times of old Siva burnt the Tripuras (three cities of the notorious three demons) by this arrow. Even Brahma and Visnu could be killed by Pasupata. (Chapter 14, Anusasana Parva). Devotees worship Pasupata as a deity. If the Pasupata mantra is recited once it will remove all obstacles from the way and if recited a hundred times it will end all your calamities and bring success in any war for you. (Page 580, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)

The missile of Siva. Arjuna during his exile in the forests performed penance to propitiate Siva and got this missile from him. Siva has a bow named Pinaka. Pasupata is the arrow that is used on that bow. Pinaka is a serpent with the colours of a rainbow. It has seven heads and has fierce canine teeth. Poison flows from them always. The string of the bow is wound round the neck of Siva. The arrow, bright like the sun and equal to the fire of death, is the Pasupata. It will burn all that it touches. Neither Narayanastra, Brahmastra, Agneyastra nor Varunastra can stand against this. In times of old Siva burnt the Tripuras (three cities of the notorious three demons) by this arrow. Even Brahma and Visnu could be killed by Pasupata. (Chapter 14, Anusasana Parva). Devotees worship Pasupata as a deity. If the Pasupata mantra is recited once it will remove all obstacles from the way and if recited a hundred times it will end all your calamities and bring success in any war for you. (Page 580, Puranic Encyclopedia - Vettam Maṇi)