Search:
Bhakti List Archives

Re: [SriRangaSri] shodasa ayuda

From the Bhakti List Archives

Hari Krishnan • March 1, 2002 


It should be classified as an astra.  Unlike an arrow, any astra is invoked by its mantra.  Whenever an astra is used, one can observe the mention of the phrases like 'uttering the mantra, chanting the mantra' etc.  For example, this is a portion of text from Valmiki Ramayana, showing Indrajit invoking Brahmastra.

"Indrajit, who was an adept in the use of mystic missiles, invoked the missile presided over by Brahma (the creator) and charged the bow as well as his chariot and all with the invocatory spell on the field of battle." (Yuddha Kanda, Canto LXXIII, Sloka 19)

Sita recollects the Jayanta incident in Sundara Kanda, Kamba Ramayana.

"Eka vaaLi av indiran semmal mEl
pOka Evi adhu kaN podiththa naaL"

Rama charged the blade of grass with a mantra and let it follow Jayanta.  Since it was charged with mantra, it should be classified as an astra.  The mantra charges the astra with power.  There is a description of Acharya Dhrona in Mahabharata, taking a ball that fell into a well with a series of blades of grass charged by mantra that stuck one upon another on ends, on the ball, so that it could be pulled out.  The mantra even controls, directs and regulates a powerful astra.  Though Brahmastra is a dreaded weapon, it is seen that Lakshmana controls the extent of its effect with chanting of mantras, when countering the Brahmastra of Indrajit.  'Just stop it and destory it and do no more,' he commands.

An arrow is nothing more than a steel tipped weapon.  May be sharp; may not be sharp; may be thinner than needles; may be very long - (up to 9 feet, as mentioned in 'Indica' that describes the battle between Alexander and Porus.  It says that the arrows used by the soldiers of Porus were 9' long and could smash any armour.  If the *soldiers* of Porus used such arrows, imagine the size of arrows that were used by Rama and Lakshmana!)  We have a detailed description of various kinds of arrows as well as astras in the Ramayana.  The Mahabaratha gives an even more detailed account in this respect.

We see pictures depicting Rama carrying his bow that measures up to his height.  In actuality, there were different kinds of bows - the hunter's bow, shorter than the height of a person, the soldier's bow - four arms' length was the standard according to Ramayana, that is, double the height of the soldier - and there were the massive bows, used by kings.  Just imagine the size!  Mahabharata mentions that the bow of Arjuna measured the size of a palmyrah tree! Bows of Rama, Arjuna and others like them were divine and were extra large. That was why they needed the elevation of chariots to enable them to make the best use of the bows. Rama's bow was dreaded even by the asuras.  It was such a massive bow.

That would hijack the thread to some other direction. Thanks for the patience. :-)

Sincerely,
Hari Krishnan 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: swamy swarna 
  To: Hari Krishnan ; Bhakti-List@Yahoogroups. Com 
  Cc: Venkateswara Swamy Swarna 
  Sent: Saturday, March 02, 2002 6:08 AM
  Subject: Re: [SriRangaSri] shodasa ayuda


  hari om. thanks for the elaboration. can u clarify
  whether the blade of grass used by Sri Rama will be
  classified as Bana (Arrow) or as Astra? thanks.

  Swamy SV




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



--------------------------------------------------------------
           - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -
To Post a message, send it to:   bhakti-list@yahoogroups.com
Archives: http://ramanuja.org/sv/bhakti/archives/
 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/