RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN --CHAPTER 27

                                 RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—CHAPTER 27

Next morning Visvamitra said to Rama,” I am well-pleased with you. Joy fill my heart. I shall impart to you the mysteries connected with weapons of every kind. If you become a master of them, no one can stand against you in battle. Neither Gods, nor Asuras, Gandharvas nor Uragas can stand against you. Such mighty weapons I shall give you. They are divine in essence.

1) Dandachakra                                   

2) Dharmachakra                                                               

3)Kalachakra

4)Vishnuchakara

5)Aindrastra

6)Vajrastra

7)Siva’s Trident

8)Brahmasiras

9)Aishikastra

10)Bramastra      

11)The clubs, Modaki and Sikhari

12)Dharmapasa

13)Kalapasa

14)Varunapasa

15)Varunastra

16)Two thunderbolts, the moist and dry.

17)Pinakastra

18)Narayanastra

19)Agneyastra

(named Sikhara)

20)Vayavyastra

(named Prathana)

21)Hayasiras

22)Kraunchastra

23) Vishnusakti

24)Rudrasakti

25)Kankala

26)Musala

27Ghora

28)Kapala

29)kankana

Astras 25 to 29—used by Asuras

30)Nandana, the favourite Astra of the Vidyadhasras (Sword-like in shape)

31)Manava

32) Prasvapana

33)Prasamana

(31 to 33The favourite Astra of the Gandharavas)

34)Suryastra

35)Darpana

36)Soshana

37)Santapana

38)Vilapana

36 to 38 Favourites of the God of Love)

39)Madana

40)Mohanastra (used by the Pisachas)

41)Tamasastra

42)Saumanastra

43)Samvarta

44)Mausalastra

45)Satyastra

46)Mayadhara

47)Tejas Prabha

48)Sisirastra (used by the God Soma)

49)Sidamana

50)Siteshu (the weapon of Bhaga)

51)Manavastra

All these and many more you receive from me. They are of no ordinary might. They can take any form at will. And they can be depended upon in any emergency.”

Then Visvamitra duly purified himself. And he took his seat facing the East. He initiated Rama into the mysteries of those magical weapons. He was well-pleased at that. They were very mighty. Even the Gods could not receive and retain them in their entirety.

 The sage uttered the words of power. And the weapons assumed visible form. They stood about Rama. They joined their palms in salutation. They said to the new master, “Here we are, Lord Rama. We are your servants to command. Your least wishes shall be anticipated by us and carried out to the full.

Rama accepted their service. And he touched each of them in token of mastership. He replied, “Come to me when I think of you.” He next turned to his Guru and offered him salutations. After that, they resumed their journey.