The Brahmastra is a powerful and divine weapon in Hindu mythology, said to be created by Brahma, the creator god. It is often described as being capable of destroying entire civilizations and is considered to be the ultimate weapon of destruction. Throughout various Hindu epics and Puranas, the Brahmastra is mentioned multiple times. Here are a few notable instances:
Ramayana:
- Rama vs. Ravana: In the Ramayana, Lord Rama uses the Brahmastra to finally defeat the demon king Ravana.
- Indrajit (Meghnad) vs. Lakshmana: Indrajit, the son of Ravana, uses the Brahmastra against Lakshmana, who is rendered unconscious but later revived.
Mahabharata:
- Arjuna vs. Ashwatthama: During the Kurukshetra war, both Arjuna and Ashwatthama release the Brahmastra against each other. To prevent mutual destruction, they are instructed to withdraw the weapons. While Arjuna manages to retract his Brahmastra, Ashwatthama is unable to do so and instead redirects it towards the unborn Parikshit, who is later revived by Krishna.
- Bhishma and Karna: Both Bhishma and Karna are said to possess the Brahmastra, although they do not use it in the battles described in the Mahabharata.
Other Puranas and Texts:
- Vishvamitra: The sage Vishvamitra, in his conflicts with the sage Vashishta, uses the Brahmastra. However, Vashishta, with his spiritual power, neutralizes it.
- Parashurama: The warrior sage Parashurama is also known to possess the Brahmastra, which he uses during his campaigns against the Kshatriyas.
These are some of the prominent occurrences of the Brahmastra in Hindu mythology. Each instance underscores the weapon's immense power and the grave responsibility associated with its use.