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Agneyastra (Sanskrit: आग्नेयास्त्र, romanized: Āgneyāstra, lit. 'Astra of Fire/Agni') is the signature celestial weapon (astra) of the Hindu god of fire, Agni, which is featured in Sanskrit epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, where it is invoked by many notable warrior-heroes such as Arjuna or Ashwatthama.

Description

In classical texts, Agneyastra is said to take the form of a missile, javelin, or arrow (similar to many other astra). Upon discharge, it is said to emit flames inextinguishable through normal means, and to unleash firepower equivalent to a hundred flaming arrows, thus being effective against entire legions of men. Due to its fiery nature, it can be countered by an enemy's invocation of the water-based Varunastra.

Literature

Ramayana

In the Ramayana, the Agneyastra was wielded by Lakshmana and countered by Atikaya's invocation of Suryastra, leading to them being mutually burned.

Mahabharata

One legend of the Mahabharata, specifically as part of the Ghoshayatra Parva, tells of Arjuna using the Agneyastra against Angaraparna, chief of the Gandharvas, on the banks of the river Ganges, with Arjuna specifically managing to slay "ten hundreds of thousands" of Gandharvas. Arjuna had been bestowed the fire astra by Drona, who had received it from Agnivesha, who in turn had been given the weapon by Bharadvaja, and who himself had received it from Brihaspati.

The sage Aurva also offered the Agneyastra to Sagara.

During the Kurukshetra war, Ashwatthama summoned the Agneyastra to reduce a whole akshauhini of soldiers, horses, chariots, and elephants to ashes, before the weapon was neutralized by Arjuna's use of Varunastra.

See also

• Astra (weapon)
• Varunastra
• Suryastra
• Indrastra

Notes

1. In a modern context, āgneyāstra (आग्नेयास्त्र) is the word for "firearm" in Hindi.

References

1. ^ "Agneyastra, Āgneyāstra, Agneya-astra: 12 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
2. Bane, Theresa (2020-06-22). Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 978-1476676883.
3. D.Sc. (Paris), Dr R. Krishnan (2023-05-08). Mahabharata. Giri Trading Agency Private Limited. p. 443. ISBN 978-81-7950-842-8.
4. Arni, Samhita (2004-09-15). The Mahabharatha: A Child's View. Tara Publishing. ISBN 9788186211700.
5. "Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
6. "The Mahabharata, SECTION CCXLIII". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
7. Williams, George M. (2008-03-27). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. OUP USA. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
8. Debroy, Dipavali (1986). "Divyāstras of the Kurukṣetra War". Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. 67 (1/4). Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute: 4. JSTOR 41693230.
9. "The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Drona-vadha Parva: Section CCI". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 2022-12-24.

v t e Hindu deities and texts
Gods	Trimurti Brahma Vishnu Shiva Agni Ashvins Chandra Dattatreya Ganesha Hanuman Indra Kama Kartikeya Krishna Kubera Rama Shasta Surya Varuna Vayu Vishvakarma Yama more
Goddesses	Tridevi Saraswati Lakshmi Parvati Aditi Bhumi Chhaya Durga Ganga Shachi Kali Mahadevi Mahavidya Matangi Matrikas Radha Rati Rohini Rukmini Sanjna Sati Shakti Shashthi Sita more
Other deities	Apsaras Asuras Daitya Danava Devata Dikpāla Gandharvas Gana Kuladevatas Gramadevatas Rakshasas Vahanas Yakshas / Yakshini
Texts (list)	Vedas Rig Sama Yajur Atharva Upanishads Puranas Ramayana Mahabharata Bhagavad Gita Yoga Sutras of Patanjali more
Hinduism Hindu mythology

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• Weapons in Hindu mythology