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.

  

 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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).

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////  

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.