Astra, Ashtra, Aṣṭrā, Āṣṭra, Āstra: 25 definitions

Introduction
Image gallery
In Hinduism
1. Purana
2. Shaktism
3. Kavya
4. Shaivism
5. Yoga
6. Pancaratra
7. Mantrashastra
8. Dhanurveda
9. General definition
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Hindi
4. Kannada
5. Nepali
See also

Introduction:

Astra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Aṣṭrā and Āṣṭra can be transliterated into English as Astra or Ashtra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: Google Books: Cultural History from the Vāyu Purāna

Astra (अस्त्र):—They are mostly magical weapons supposed to have been used.

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Astra (अस्त्र).—After killing the demoness, Tāṭakā, Viśvāmitra reveals to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa the secret of using a great many varieties of Divyāstras (divyāstra is missile charged with power by holy incantation).

Some of those astras are named below:

daṇḍacakra,
dharmacakra,
kālacakra,
viṣṇucakra,
indracakra,
vajrāstra,
śaivaśūla,
aiṣīka,
brahmaśirāstra,
brahmāstra,
modakīśikharī,
dharmapāśa,
kālapāśa,
vāruṇāstra,
vāruṇapāśa,
paramāstra,
pinākāstra,
nārāyaṇāstra,
āgneyāstra,
śikharāstra,
vāyavyāstra,
prathanāstra,
krauñcāstra,
hayaśśirāstra,
kaṅkālāstra,
musalāstra,
kapālāstra,
kaṅkaṇāstra,
mānavāstra,
prasthāpanāstra,
praśamanāstra,
saurāstra,
varṣaṇāstra,
śoṣaṇāstra,
santāpanāstra,
vilāpanāstra,
madanāstra,
mohāstra,
saumanāstra,
saṃvartāstra,
satyāstra,
māyādharāstra,
tejaprabhāstra,
saumyāstra,
śiśirāstra,
tvāṣṭāstra,
sudāmanāstra.

Śrī Rāma received all these astras standing facing east.—(Cf. Sarga 27, Bālakāṇḍa, Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana Index

Astra (अस्त्र).—Arranged alphabetically: Asiratnam, Āgneyam, Aindram, Aiṣīkāmam, Kampanam, Kāpalam, Kālamudgaram, Kainkaram, Krauñcam, Gāndharvam, Tāpanam, Tvāṣtram, Nandakam, Nārasimham, Nārāyaṇāstram, Pāśupatam, Paiśācam, Pramathanam, Prasthāpanam, Prasvāpanam, Brahmaśiras, Brāhmam, Bhāvanam, Bhairavam, Mathanam, Mahābalam, Māyādharam, Mohanam, Mausalam, Raudram, Vāruṇam, Vikampanam, Vāyavyam, Śātanam, Śāmanam, Śailam, Ṣośadam, Samvartanam, Sārpam, Sāvitram, Somāstram, Hayaśiras;¹ used by Hiraṇyakaśipu against Narasimha; arms used in Bhaṇḍāsura war.²

1) Matsya-purāṇa 150. 113, 164, 205; 151. 24, 31; 153. 83, 87, 90, 97; 162. 22-7; 179. 6.
2) Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa IV. 29. 62-74.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Astra (अस्त्र) refers to the weapons (attributes) of Goddess Kubjikā, according to the Manthānabhairavatantra, a vast sprawling work that belongs to a corpus of Tantric texts concerned with the worship of the goddess Kubjikā.—Accordingly, “(Now) I will tell (you about) the great weapons [i.e., astra] of that (goddess) Kubjikā. Know (the ones that are in) the right (hands) and (the ones) in the left, along with (their) application. In the right (hands she holds) a trident, wheel, thunderbolt, goad, arrow and dagger. One should place (her on) a blue lotus with a star. Then on the left (side her hands hold) a severed head, an ascetic’s staff, bell, book and bow. It is said that (she holds) a skull in (the lower) left (hand) and sits on a ghost as her throne. [...] The great accomplishment of (all) the weapons [i.e., astra] in the Mahāmata by means of the skull”.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Kavya (poetry)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (kavya)

Astra (अस्त्र) refers to “weapons”, according to Kālidāsa’s Raghuvaṃśa verse 8.3-4.—Accordingly: “Having experienced his great consecration with water gathered by Vasiṣṭha, the earth seemed to express her contentment with clear sighs. When the ritual had been performed for him by the guru who knew the Atharvaveda, he became unassailable by his enemies, for when Brahman is united with the power of weapons (astra-tejas) it is a union of wind and fire”.

context information

Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: SOAS University of London: Protective Rites in the Netra Tantra

Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramantra is the name of a Mantra, according to the Netratantra of Kṣemarāja: a Śaiva text from the 9th century in which Śiva (Bhairava) teaches Pārvatī topics such as metaphysics, cosmology, and soteriology.—Accordingly, [verse 2.28cd-33]—“Now, I shall explain the limbs of the mantra, with which, tied together, he achieves perfection. [...] The netra [aṅgamantra], [which is] most powerful and destroys all faults, begins with Bhairava [j], and an oṃ [and] situated with a head always in motion [y]. That astramantra is proclaimed ajīvaka [pha] [e.g., ajīvakaṭasaṃyuktam astram] joined with ṭa. The six aṅgas of the mantrarāṭ [i.e., the mṛtyuñjayamantra], which confers siddhis, is declared”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Astra (अस्त्र) refers to the “weapon mantra”, according to the Brahmayāmala-tantra (or Picumata), an early 7th century Śaiva text consisting of twelve-thousand verses.—Accordingly, [while describing a haṭha-sādhana (foreceful practice)]: “[...] O goddess, he could slay everyone [through] the weapon Mantra (astra) taught earlier [and] with the Vidyā mantra. Having become fearless and situated in the state of [liberation from which there is] no return, the [Sādhaka] could subdue me along with you. What [to speak of] other leaders of the spirits? [...]”

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts

1) Astra (अस्त्र) refers to the “divine weapons (of Nārāyaṇa)”, as discussed in the thirtieth chapter of the Ahirbudhnyasaṃhitā, a Pāñcarātra work in 60 chapters dealing with topics such as Viṣṇu’s discus-power, the processes of creation and esoteric practices related to Sudarśana (such as mantras and yantras).—Description of the chapter [astrāṇāṃ janmanāmanirūpaṇaṃ]: Here Nārada is told how the various astra-weapons of the divine Nārāyaṇa relate to the mundane weapons wielded by worldly rulers. Just as the Sudarśana discus represents Viṣṇu’s own śakti-Power and divine Will to rule wisely and benignly (yet powerfully), so when a king employs his royal arms and army he is exercising an analogous (mundane) power to arrest his enemies and protect his subjects (1-21). From the face of Sudarsana come certain weapons (astra) (e.g; arrows), from his chest others (e.g., slings), from his thighs some other (e.g., combustibles) and from his feet yet others (e.g., spears); moreover from other parts of his body other weapons of warfare (astra) have their divine source in Sudarśana (22-41).

2a) Astra (अस्त्र) is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”), discussed in the twenty-fourth chapter of the Īśvarasaṃhitā (printed edition), a Pāñcarātra work in 8200 verses and 24 chapters dealing with topics such as routines of temple worship, major and minor festivals, temple-building and initiation.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-lakṣaṇa-bhagavaddhyāna-ādi-prakāra]: Nārada tells how one prepares himself for the practice of mudrā-gestures—washing the hands with sandal-paste, doing certain exercises with the fingers, ritually touching the chest with the thumbs and forefingers of both hands, executing certain motions with the palms joined, etc. (3-11). Different mudrā-gestures are named and described (12-72): [e.g., śiras, śikhā, tanutra, astra, netra (23a)] [...]

2b) Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramudrā refers to one of the fifty-three Mudrās (ritual hand gestures) described in chapter 22 (Caryāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [mudrālakṣaṇa-vidhi]: Brahmā asks the meaning, uses and varieties of mudrā-gestures. Bhagavān says these finger movements are ways to fend off evil and to prevent those taking pleasure in harming others. Furthermore, they please the Lord-so long as they are demonstrated in private (1-5a). He then names and describes 53 mudrā-gestures: [e.g., astra (10)] [...]

2c) Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramudrā refers to one of the Mudrās (gestures) discussed in chapter 31 of the Mārkaṇḍeyasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2200 Sanskrit verses mainly dealing with temple-building, iconography, pūjā (worship procedures), utsava (festivities) and prāyaścitta (expiatory measures).—Description of chapter [mudrā-vidhāna]: As a part of worship [pūjāṅga], it is ordained in the śāstras that certain mudrā-gestures be done to please the gods (1). The ones listed and described are [e.g., Astra-mudrā] [...]. When some of these are to be used in the worship of God is given (49b-58).

3) Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramudrā is the name of a Mudrā (“ritual hand-gestures”) mentioned in in chapter 13 of the Viśvāmitrasaṃhitā: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 2600 Sanskrit verses covering topics such as initiation (dīkṣā) and the construction, decoration and consecration of temples and icons, as well as routines of regular and special worship cycles.—Description of the chapter [mudrā-adhyāya]: Kāśyapa asks what are the various types of mudrā-gestures, and Viśvāmitra complies by first defining mudrā as that by seeing which one derives pleasure (“mu-”) and then by counseling that whoever practices these mudrās must do so in secrecy (1-6). Thereupon he names and briefly describes how to perform a number of mudrās [e.g., astra]

4) Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramudrā refers to one of the 37 Mudrās (hand-gestures) described in chapter 7 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—[Cf. the chapter mudrā-lakṣaṇa].

context information

Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.

Mantrashastra (the science of Mantras)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (mantra)

Astra (अस्त्र) or Astramantra is the name of a Mantra mentioned in chapter 24 of the Lakṣmītantra: a Pāñcarātra text comprising some 3600 Sanskrit verses exclusively devoted to Goddess Lakṣmī or Śrī (the consort of Viṣṇu) besides dealing with cosmology and practical regarding Vaishnava priests and temple-building programs.—Description of the chapter [tāraprakāśa]: How to compose the tāramantra [OṂ] by using the varṇacakra-design is given (1-7). [...] The astra-mantra is discussed briefly (52b-79a).

context information

Mantrashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, mantraśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science of mantras—chants, incantations, spells, magical hymns, etc. Mantra Sastra literature includes many ancient books dealing with the methods reciting mantras, identifying and purifying its defects and the science behind uttering or chanting syllables.

Dhanurveda (science of warfare)

Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (dh)

Astra (अस्त्र) refers to a type of weapon, as discussed in chapter 10 of the Ṛṣirātra section of the Sanatkumārasaṃhitā: an encyclopedic Sanskrit text written in over 3500 verses dealing with a variety of topics such as yoga, temple-building, consecration ceremonies, initiation and dhanurveda (martial arts).—Description of the chapter [śastra-lakṣaṇa]: Sanatkumāra composed a handbook, known as the Dhanurveda, which has been passed down from generation to generation. It tells how to use these weapons, both as astra or as śastra effectively. Of all the weapons, the best is the dhanus-bow—and there are several five-fold classifications of weapons given here, along with the five types of people who may most effectively use them, the five grips most sure to give careful aim, etc. (32-55).

context information

Dhanurveda (धनुर्वेद) refers to the “knowledge of warfare” and, as an upaveda, is associated with the Ṛgveda. It contains instructions on warfare, archery and ancient Indian martial arts, dating back to the 2nd-3rd millennium BCE.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Astra (अस्त्र): A missile charged with power by a holy incantation.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

astra (अस्त्र).—n (S) A weapon charmed by the recitation over it of some mystic formula: also the formula or mantra. Ex. of comp. agnyastra, vārūṇāstra, mēghāstra, sarpāstra, astravidyā, astraprayōga. 2 S A Weapon gen.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

astra (अस्त्र).—n A charmed weapon; a weapon generally. अ. yuddha n Fighting with weapons.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Aṣṭrā (अष्ट्रा).—[akṣyate cālyate'nayā akṣ-karaṇe ṣṭran]

1) A prick or goad for driving cattle, whip; Ṛgveda 4.57.4,6.53.9.

2) A part of the wheel of a chariot.

-vin a. obeying the goad (as a bull); शुनमष्ट्राव्यचरत् कपर्दी (śunamaṣṭrāvyacarat kapardī) Ṛgveda 1.12.8.

--- OR ---

Astra (अस्त्र).—[asyate kṣipyate as ṣṭran Uṇādi-sūtra 4.158.]

1) A missile; a weapon in general; प्रयुक्तमप्यस्त्रमितो वृथा स्यात् (prayuktamapyastramito vṛthā syāt) R.2.34; प्रत्याहतास्त्रो गिरिशप्रभावात् (pratyāhatāstro giriśaprabhāvāt) 2.41;3.58; अशिक्षतास्त्रं पितुरेव (aśikṣatāstraṃ pitureva) R.3.31 the science of missiles. महर्षेरग्निवेशस्य सकाशमह- मच्युत । अस्त्रार्थमगमं पूर्वं धनुर्वेदचिकीर्षया (maharṣeragniveśasya sakāśamaha- macyuta | astrārthamagamaṃ pūrvaṃ dhanurvedacikīrṣayā) || Mahābhārata (Bombay) 1.131.4. धनुर्वेद- संहिता (dhanurveda- saṃhitā) mentions various kinds of missiles (179-82) as ब्रह्मास्त्र, ब्रह्मदण्डक, ब्रह्मशिरस, पाशुपत, वायव्य, आग्नेय, नारसिंह (brahmāstra, brahmadaṇḍaka, brahmaśirasa, pāśupata, vāyavya, āgneya, nārasiṃha) &c.

2) An arrow; sword.

3) A bow.

Derivable forms: astram (अस्त्रम्).

--- OR ---

Āṣṭra (आष्ट्र).—[aś-vyāptā ṣṭran Uṇādi-sūtra 4.159] Sky, ether, atmosphere.

-ṣṭrā A prick or goad for driving cattle.

Derivable forms: āṣṭram (आष्ट्रम्).

--- OR ---

Āstra (आस्त्र).—a. [astrasyedaṃ aṇ] Belonging to a missile; चतुर्थमास्त्रिकवलम् (caturthamāstrikavalam) Śukra.4.866.

[Sanskrit to German]

Astra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Hindi dictionary

Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionary

Astra (अस्त्र):—(nm) a weapon (esp. a missile); ~[kāra] an armourer; ~[jīvī] a professional soldier; ~[vidyā] the military science; the art of using weapons; ~[śālā] an arsenal, armoury.

context information

...

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Astra (ಅಸ್ತ್ರ):—

1) [noun] a slender, pointed at one end and feathered at the other, for shooting from a bow; a mystical arrow.

2) [noun] (in gen.) a weapon; a missile.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Astra (अस्त्र):—n. arms and weapons in general;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

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