Saturday 26 November 2016

The only Kaurava who survived in the kurukshethra war

Yuyutsu : Yuyutsu in the Hindu epic Mahabharata was a son of  Dhritharashtra with sugandha ( Gandhari's maid).

  •  Fearing problems with Gandhari's pregnancy which had continued for almost two years, Dhritrashtra had a child from Sughada, a woman from Vaishya Varna, who is lady in waiting to Gandhari. 
  • He was born on the same day as Duryodhana and was elder to Dushasana
  • He is celebrated as a moral warrior who chose the path of righteousness and He forwent his family bonds in order to side with dharma.

During Kurukshetra War

  • Since Mahabharata was called the righteous war, both sides (Pandavas and Kauravas) were given absolute freedom to choose any side they wished.
  • Before the onset of the battle of Kurukshetra War between Kauravas and Pandavas, Yuyutsu shifts from Kauravas to the Pandava camp. Yuyutsu fought the battle on the side of the Pandavas
  • He was one among the 11 Maharathis (capable of fighting 720,000 warriors simultaneously) among the Kauravas. Yuyutsu was one among the eleven warriors to have survived the war.
  • After the war When the Pandavas decided to retire from the world at the start of the Kali Yuga and departure of Krishna, Yudhishthira gave the charge of supervising the kingdom to Yuyutsu while Parikshit (Abhimanyu's son) was made the king 

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Theen Baan Dhaari (Grand Son of Bheema) : Who gives his Head as charity to lord krishna



Barbarika  was the son of Ghatotkacha and  grandson of Bheema. He is believed to have been sacrificed before the Mahabharata war to ensure the victory of his grandfathers, the Pandavas.

  • Even in his childhood, Barbarika was a very brave warrior. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother. The lord Shiva gave him the three infallible arrows. Hence, Barbarika came to be known as "Bearer of Three Arrows"
  • When lord kishna asked how many days he would take to finish the mahabharatha war alone, Barbarika answered that he could finish it in one minute.
  • Krishna then asked Barbarika how he'd finish the great battle with just three arrows. Barbarika replied that a single arrow was enough to destroy all his opponents in the war, and it would then return to his quiver.
  • He stated that, the first arrow is used to mark all the things that he wants to destroy. If he uses the second arrow, then the second arrow will mark all the things that he wants to save. On using the third arrow, it will destroy all the things that are not marked and then return to his quiver. In other words, with one arrow he can fix all his targets and with the other he can destroy them.
Test of Krishna
  • Krishna challenged him to tie all the leaves of the Peepal tree under which he was tanding, using his arrows. Barbarika Baliyadev accepts the challenge and starts meditating to release his arrow by closing his eyes. As Barbarika starts meditating, Krishna quietly plucks a leaf from the tree and hides it under his foot. When Barbarika releases his first arrow, it marks all the leaves of the tree and finally started hovering around the leg of Krishna. Krishna asks Barbarika why the arrow was hovering over his foot. Barbarika replies that there must be a leaf under his foot and the arrow was targeting his foot to mark the leaf that is hidden underneath. Barbarika advises Krishna to lift his leg, otherwise the arrow would mark the leaf by piercing Krishna's foot. Krishna then lifts his foot and the first arrow also marks the hidden leaf. The third arrow then collects all the leaves (including the hidden leaf ) and ties them together. By this Krishna concludes that the arrows are so powerful and infallible, that even if Barbarika is unaware of the whereabouts of his targets, his arrows can still navigate and trace his intended target

    

 Krishna asks Barbarika's head as charity ?

  • Krishna gets a deeper insight about Barbarika's phenomenal power and in the form of Brahmin  sought charity from Babarika.  Barbarika promised him anything he wished.
  • Krishna asked him to give his head in charity  (because barbarika promised his mother that, if he felt the urge to participate in the battle, he would join the side which would be losing)
  •  Krishna then explained to him that before a battle, the head of the bravest Kshatriya needs to be sacrificed, in order to worship/sanctify the battlefield. Krishna said that he considered Barbarika to be the bravest among Kshatriyas, and was hence asking for his head in charity.


The most skilled warrior ever


Indrajit or Meghanada was a prince of Lanka and a conqueror of Indra Loka (heaven). He was mentioned in the Indian epic Ramayana as the son of king Ravana.

  •  Ravana wanted his son to be a great devotee of Lord Shiva and equal to Lord Shiva in warfare. As per the wish of Ravana, Indrajit was blessed to be a warrior equal to Lord Shiva.
  • He was a mighty Atimaharathi. He is considered as the most powerful and the only warrior to ever possess the three ultimate weapons of Trimurti, i.e. Brahmanda astraVaishnava astra, and Pashupatastra.
  • He acquired all kinds of celestial weapons from his Guru Shukra, lord BrahmaVishnu and Shiva. By defeating the devas in the heaven he took their weapons and become the possessor of all kinds of divine weapons of devaasura's and Trimurti's.
  • He even twice defeated Ramaand Lakshman, the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Indrajit killed 670 million Vanara's in a single day, nearly exterminating the entire half man-half monkey race.




Indrajit is said to be the one of the most skilled warrior ever surpassing even Rama, the avatar of Vishnu.
  •  Indrajit with the help of Shukracharya acquired weapons from Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, including the boon that he would remain immortal as long as he fought from the divine chariot which rose each time he performed sacrifices to Brahma at Nikumbhila.
  • He was said to be so skilled in archery that he could slay multiple opponents with one arrow shot from his bow. Indrajit was also capable of spreading darkness and ignorance among enemies, which greatly empowered the might of the Rakshasas.
  • He even defeated Indra and all Devas and captured all of them. Indrajit was well versed in using divine weapons and shot serpents in the form of arrows at Rama and Lakshmana. On the second battle at Lanka, Indrajit infused the power of the Brahmashira astra into his chariot, bow and arrows and slew six hundred and seventy million Vanaras in one day, even defeating Rama and Lakshmana. However, they were all resurrected when Hanuman brought mystical herbs of healing powers. Indrajit was capable of producing a false version of Sita and killing her in front of Vanaras, demoralizing them.



Lakshmana had to employ deceit to kill Indrajit
  • Lakshman started the fight with Indrajit before sunrise, which was considered to be prohibited at that era. Lakshmana with the help of Vibhishana, the brother of Ravana by employing deceit disrupted the sacrifice of Indrajit at early morning.
  • Lakshmana with the help of Vibhishana, who had earlier betrayed his brother Ravana and his country, fought with Indrajit in an unfair war and finally killed him.

Astra's (Weapons) used in Hindu epics




Brahmaastra : Brahma, the Creator
  • Would destroy entire hosts at once. Could also counter most other astras.
  •  In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the single head of Lord Brahma as its tip. 
  •  Parasurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Arjuna, Yudhishtir and several Maharathis possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. 
  • It is the only weapon capable of piercing the Brahma Kavach (invincible armour of Lord   Brahma). Atikaya, 
  • one of Ravan's sons possessed the invincible armour of Lord Brahma that could only be pierced by a Brahmastra and was killed by Lakshmana (brother of Lord Rama) using a Brahmastra. 
  • In ancient Sanskrit writings, the Brahmastra was a weapon created by Brahma,along with its more powerful versions like Brahmashirsha astra and Brahmanda astra.



Brahmashirsha astra: Brahma, the Creator
  • Capable of killing devas.
  •  Was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit.
  •  It is thought that the Brahmashirsha astra is the evolution of the Brahmastra, 4 times stronger than Brahmastra. 
  • In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the four heads of Lord Brahmaas its tip.
  •  In the Ramayana, Indrajit invoked the Brahmashira astra and charged its power onto his chariot, bow and arrows. 
  • Aided by its exceedingly destructive power, Indrajit was able to slay 670 million vanaras in one day and managed to defeat Rama and Lakshmana. 
  • In Mahabharata era Parasurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama and Arjuna possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon.


Brahmanda astra: Brahma, the Creator
  • A defensive weapon. Capable of repelling the Brahmastra. 
  • Used by Vashishta against Vishwamitra. 
  •  In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the all 5 heads of Lord Brahma as its tip. 
  • Brahma earlier lost his fifth head in a fight when he fought with Lord Siva.
  •  This weapon is said to possess the power to destroy the entire solar systems or Brahmand, the 14 realms according to Hindu cosmology. 
  • In Mahabharata era Parasurama, Bhishma, Drona and Karna possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. In some texts it is called Brahma-dhanda astra, the weapon created by Saptarishi's to counter any weapon ever created, even that of Trimurti's. 
  • The rishi of this weapon is Para Brahman. It is said to be the most difficult astra to obtain. Capable of destroying entire multiverse in a blink of an eye. 
  • Vishvamitra used all kinds of divine weapons against sage Vashistha, even Pashupatastra, but the Brahma-dhanda astra of Vashistha neutralized and swallowed all astra of Vishwamitra proving that Brahma-dhanda astra is the most powerful of all astra's.




Gandiva (bow) : This bow was created by Brahma, the Creator of universe. 
  • Brahma held it first for a thousand years, then Prajapati held it for five hundred and three years, Indra, for five hundred and eighty years, and Soma for five hundred years. 
  • After that Varuna held it for a hundred years before handing it to Arjuna along with a Kapi/Hanuman bannered chariot, and two inexhaustible quivers, as requested by Agni during the Khandava-daha Parva. 
  • The bow was decorated with hundreds of gold bosses, and had radiant ends. 
  • The bow was worshiped by Devas, Gandharvas and Danavas.
  •  No ordinary person could wield the Gandiva bow. 
  • When fired, the bow made the sound of thunder. 
  • It has special qualities like being indestructible, having 100 bow strings, etc. 
  • which always gave the wielder a heavy advantage over his opponent. 
  • Arjuna always used this bow since he acquired it, which gave him a heavy advantage over his opponents. After the death of Krishna Arjuna found it difficult to wield the Gandiva bow.
  
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Sudarshana Chakra: Vishnu, the Preserver
  • The legendary discus of Lord Vishnu. 
  • Infallible, flies at the command of Vishnu. 
  • Cannot be stopped by anyone, except Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
  •  It has tremendous occult and spiritual power to destroy everything. 
  • Used by Vishnu in his Krishna avatar to behead his maternal uncle Kamsa.Apart from Lord vishnu, Arjuna was also capable of wielding the sudarshan chakra as well.



Narayanastra: Vishnu, the Preserver
  • Would create showers of arrows and discs.
  •  The astra's power would increase with the resistance offered to it.
  •  This weapon had to be obtained from the Narayana form Vishnudirectly, and could be used only once in a life time. 
  • If the user were to attempt invoking it a second time, it would rebound on him, and possibly, his troops.
  • In Mahabharata era Lord Vishnu in his Narayana from blessed Guru Drona and his son Ashwatthama and gifted the knowledge about this weapon. 
  • In Mahabharata war Ashwatthama used this weapon against Pandava army after the death of Drona. 
  • It destroyed one Akshauhini of Pandava army completely. 
  • This astra fires a powerful tirade of millions of deadly missiles simultaneously. 
  • The intensity of the shower increases with resistance. 
  • The only way of defense towards this missile, is to show total submission before the missiles hit.
  •  This in turn will cause this weapon to stop and spare the target. 
  • When it was used, Ekadasha(Eleven) Rudras appear in the sky to destroy the targets. Millions of types of weapons like Chakra, Gadha, ultra sharp arrows appeared in rage to destroy the target. Who ever tries to resist it will be destroyed.


Vaishnavastra: Vishnu, the Preserver
  • Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature.Infallible. 
  • Had to be obtained from Lord Vishnu directly.



Kaumodaki: Vishnu, the Preserver
  • Divine mace of Vishnu. Would destroy whole armies. 
  • Infallible and without parallel. Lord Krishna slayed Demon Dantavakra with it.


Sharanga (bow): Vishnu, the Preserver
The bow of Lord Vishnu, also called as Vaishnav Dhanush was used by Sri Rama then Sri Krishna.


Nandaka: Vishnu, the Preserver
The sacred sword of Vishnu. It had a blade which was indestructible. It was used by Lord Krishna to kill countless demons.



Bhargavastra: Lord Parashurama
  • Parashurama (an avatara of Lord Vishnu) gave this astra to Karna.
  •  It caused great damage to Pandavas army. 
  • It completely destroyed one Akshauhani of Pandava army. 
  • This astra possesses Parashurama's skill in archery. Infallible.
  •  It brings a shower of much more powerful weapons than the Indrastra and could cause total destruction of a planet if not retracted.


Garudastra: Garuda, the vehicle of Vishnu
  • A weapon that can defend against Nagaastra when attacked by the opponents. 
  • It was used by Lord Rama in Ramayana.


Mohini Astra: Mohini, an Avatar of Vishnu
Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity.

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Indraastra: Indra, god of weather
Would bring about a 'shower' of arrows from the sky.



Vasavi Shakti : Indra, god of weather
Magical dart of Indra. Used by Karna against Ghatotkacha in the Mahabharata war.


Visoshana: Indra, god of weather
  • The Visoshana was the drying weapon.
  •  It could dry anything. Indrajita possessed this weapon. It was an amazing counter to the Varunastra.


Vajra: Indra, god of weather
Target would be struck with bolts of lightning (vajra referring to Indra's thunderbolt).

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Agneyastra: Agni, god of fire
The weapon discharged would emit flames inextinguishable through normal means.


Varunastra: Varuna, god of water
  • The weapon discharged would release torrential volumes of water.
  •  This weapon is commonly mentioned as used to counter the Agneyastra.

Varunapasha: Varuna
A powerful noose which not even other gods can escape from.       


Vayvayastra : Vayu, god of wind 
Bring about a gale capable of lifting armies off the ground.


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Nagaastra: The Nagas
  • The weapon would have an unerring aim and take on the form of a snake, proving deadly upon impact. 
  •  Used by Karna against Arjuna in Mahabharata .In Ramayana, Ravana's son Indrajit used it against Lord Rama.

Nagapasha: The Nagas
  • Upon impact, this weapon would bind the target in coils of living venomous snakes. 
  • In the Ramayana, it was used against Rama and Lakshmana by Indrajit.

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Suryastra: Surya, god of the sun
Create a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about and dry up water bodies.

Jyotiksha Astra: Surya, god of the sun
The Jyotiksha Astra could brighten a dark area. Arjuna had this astra and used in the Mahabharata   war.

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Trishul : Shiva, the Destroyer
The Trident of Lord Shiva. Infallible, cannot be stopped by anyone, except Lord Shiva himself.






Vijaya (bow): Shiva, the Destroyer 
  • Also called as Shiva Dhanush, the Vijaya Dhanusha was the personal bow of Lord Shiva, which was regarded as the foremost of bows.
  •  Lord Shiva left it in the care of Indra Dev who on instruction from Lord Shiva happily gave it to Lord Parashurama. 
  • Lord Parashurama kept is as his personal bow and being pleased with the devotion of his student Karna, gave the Vijaya Dhanusha to Karna. 
  • The Sanskrit name ‘Vijaya’ means ‘victory’ and this bow is said to give sure victory to the possessor. 
  • The string of Vijaya Dhanush cannot be broken by any kind of astra (weapon) or divya astra (divine weapon), nor by anyone and it is so heavy that a normal person in any yuga cannot not lift it. 
  • Every time an arrow is released from this bow, it created a terrible twang, which is said to be loud as thunder causing terrible fear in enemies and produces flashes of light as brilliant as lightning, which blinds the enemy. 
  • Every time an arrow is aimed, the energy of the arrow is amplified by multiple times as Vijaya Dhanush is charged with sacred mantras. 
  • Vijaya Dhanush is unparalleled and except Lord Parasurama, Karna or an equally or more powerful warrior, nobody can even lift it. 
  • No weapon, not even the mighty Pashupatastra, can harm a warrior who has Vijaya Dhanush in his hand, as the name Vijaya implies victory to the wielder. 
  • The only time Karna ever fought using the Vijaya Dhanusha was on the 17th day of the Kurukshetra war when he fought against and overpowered Arjuna who was using Gandiva bow.
  •  Karna came to be known by the name 'Vijayadhari' meaning 'wielder of the Vijaya bow'.





Pinaka (bow): Shiva, the Destroyer
  • Also called as Shiva Dhanush, was the bow of Lord Shiva, which he used to kill countless Asuras in battle (The city of Tripura was destroyed by Lord Shiva using the Pinaka). 
  • Was given to Parashurama By Lord Shiva, which was passed down to King Janaka, the father of Devi Sita, and was broken by Lord Ram in her swayamvara.






Maheshwarastra: Shiva, the Destroyer
  • Contains the power of Shiva's third eye. 
  • Shoots a really fast fiery beam which can turn even celestial beings to complete ashes. Infallible and unstoppable. 
  • It has the power to turn the entire creation to ashes.



Rudra Astra: Shiva, the Destroyer
  • Contains the power of a Rudra. 
  • When it is used, it invokes the power of a Rudra out of the Ekadasha (Eleven) Rudras and destroys the target.
  •  In Mahabharata era only Arjuna possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon. Arjun invokes the mighty Raudra weapon of Mahadev against karna in final battle but Brahmin's curse saved karna from getting killed by Raudra weapon.


Pashupatastra: Shiva, the Destroyer
  • Would destroy target completely, irrespective of target's nature.
  •  When released, the weapon summons several monsters and a huge spirit which personifies the weapon.
  •  Each time the weapon is summoned, its head is never the same. 
  • This weapon had to be obtained from Shiva directly.
  •  It is Infallible and without any parallel which cannot be stopped by anyone except by Lord        Shiva. 
  • Indrajit, the son of Ravan possessed this weapon in Ramayana and Arjuna in Mahabharata.


 Parashu (axe): Shiva, the Destroyer
  • The Parashu (axe) was an unconquerable and indestructible divine weapon given to Lord Parashurama by his Guru Lord Shiva along with other divine weapons due to the extreme devotion of Lord Parashurama.
  •  Lord Parashurama later gave this axe to Lord Ganesha. 
  • Parashurama means Rama who wields the axe as Rama was the name Lord Parashuramawas known by till he acquired the axe from Lord Shiva.


Chandrahas: Shiva, the Destroyer
  • The divine sword Chandrahas (Chandra-Moon, Has-laugh, literally 'the laughter of the moon' but referring to the shape formed by a crescent moon which resembles a smile) was given to Raavan with a warning .
  • The warning is that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three-eyed Lord Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered.



Lord Shiva's Teen Baan (three infallible arrows) : Shiva, The Destroyer
  • Lord Shiva gave Barbarika three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). A single arrow was enough to destroy all opponents in any war, and it would then return to Barbarika's quiver.
  •  The first arrow is used to mark all the things that Barbarika wants to destroy. 
  • On releasing the third arrow, it would destroy all the things that are marked and will then return to Barbarika's quiver. 
  • If Barbarika uses the second arrow, then the second arrow will mark all the things that Barbarika wants to save
  • . On using the third arrow, it will destroy all the things that are not marked.
  •  In other words, with one arrow Barbarika can fix all his targets and with the other he can destroy them. 
  • Krishna disguised as a Brahmin stopped Barbarika to examine his strength. When asked how many days he would take to finish the Kurukshetra War alone, Barbarika answered that he could finish it within few moments. Barbarika came to be known by the appellation Teen Baandhaari, the "Bearer of Three Arrows".Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha, and a grandson of Bhima (second of the Pandava brothers) and Hidimbi.



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Mace: Hanuman
  • Primary weapon of lord Hanuman. 
  • A mace is a blunt weapon, a type of club or virge that uses a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows. 
  • A mace typically consists of a strong, heavy, wooden or metal shaft, often reinforced with metal, featuring a head made of stone, copper, bronze, iron, or steel.
  •  Later, chosen by Bhima and Duryodhana as their primary weapon and used against each other in Mahabharatha.

  
Manavastra: Manu (Hinduism), father of the human race
  • Could overcome supernatural protections and carry the target hundreds of miles away. 
  • Can inspire humane traits in an evil being. 
  • This weapon Was used by Sri Rama on the rakshasa(demon) Maricha.

Bhaumastra: Bhūmi, goddess of earth
The weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels.

Anjalika Astra:
Used by Arjuna to kill chariot-less Karna

Twashtar Astra: Twashtri, the heavenly builder
When used against a group of opponents (such as an army), would cause them to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other.

Sammohana/Pramohana: Gandharvas
  • Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance. 
  • Arjuna uses this weapon against the Kaurava army during the Virata war.

Parvataastra :
Would cause a Parvata/mountain to fall on the target from the skies.


Sabda-veda astra:
This weapon prevents an opponent from turning invisible. Used by Arjuna against the Ghandarva king Chitrasena.

Antardhana Astra: Kubera, god of wealth
The Antardhana Astra would make things, people or entire places disappear. It was given to Kubera by Arjuna.

Prajnastra:
  • This weapon was used to restore the senses and thoughts of someone.
  •  It was a good counter to the Antardhana Astra and the Sammohana. Warriors like Drona, Indrajita and Arjuna had and used this astra.

Sailastra :
The Sailastra was used to make heavy winds disappear, meaning it was the counter to Vayvayastra, the wind weapon. It was used by warriors like Drona and Arjuna.


Sauparna:
  • The Sauparna weapon would release crazy birds. 
  • Hence, it was a good counter to the Nagastra. 
  • It was used by Susharma in the Mahabharata war when Arjuna used the Nagastra on the Sampshapataka army.