A celestial weapon (astra in Sanskrit) is a type of powerful weapon that the gods bestow upon some of the mortal heroes of the Mahabharata, and these weapons represent the power of the gods—and, more broadly, the benefits of living a religious life. In general, the characters who get to use the celestial weapons are among the most devout in the story. The most prolific user of celestial weapons is Arjuna, who has a close relationship with the gods: in addition to being the biological son of Indra, he is a close friend of Krishna (an incarnation of Vishnu). Arjuna carefully considers the moral and religious implications of fighting, most notably during a conversation he has with Krishna called the Bhagavadgita. As a reward for his devout behavior, the gods gift Arjuna their weapons and protection, making him an even more formidable warrior than he already is.
But while the gods generally favor the Pandavas, some of the opposing Kauravas also unleash celestial weapons during battle. Karna, for example, is allied with the Kauravas but uses his celestial weapon to kill Ghatotkaca (Bhima’s son). The moment is a mixed success for Karna, since he stops the powerful warrior Ghatotkaca but loses his ability to use his weapon against Arjuna, who eventually kills him. The occasional support of the gods to the Kauravas in the form of celestial weapons shows how morality in war isn’t black and white and sometimes noble people can exist on both sides. Nevertheless, the ultimate failure of the Kauravas in battle reaffirms how the stronger faith of the Pandavas, embodied by the celestial weapons, makes them better able to confront whatever challenges come their way.
Celestial Weapons Quotes in Mahabharata
And he performed this last find and astonishing foe-slaying feat: at the time he was pierced in the heart by the Spear, he appeared, O king, huge as a cloud, or a mountain; then that Rakshasa prince fell headlong to earth from on high, body torn, limbs stilled, lifeless and speechless, but gigantic in form. Bhima’s son Ghatotkaca, doer of fearful deeds, fell with the terrifying, fearful form he had assumed; and thus even in death he smashed on whole section of your army, bringing terror to the Kauravas.
‘Karna, if you challenge Arjuna to battle, you are a hare challenging a mighty elephant with tusks like plough-shafts, its temporal glands bursting with rut. If you want to fight the son of Kunti, you are a silly child poking with a stick a deadly poisonous king cobra in its hole, its hood expanded.’
The glorious standard of Karna the mighty chariot-fighter was now destroyed by the noble wearer of the diadem with a razor-edged, gold-shafted arrow that he shot with the greatest of care; and with the fall of that standard there fell too the Kurus’ fame and dharma, and their hopes of victory, sir, and all that they held dear, and their very hearts.
Celestial Weapons Symbol Timeline in Mahabharata
