In Hinduism

Dhanurveda (science of warfare)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dhanurveda

Divyāstra (दिव्यास्त्र) refers to a weapon (“divine weapon”). It is a Sanskrit word defined in the Dhanurveda-saṃhitā, which contains a list of no less than 117 weapons. The Dhanurveda-saṃhitā is said to have been composed by the sage Vasiṣṭha, who in turn transmitted it trough a tradition of sages, which can eventually be traced to Śiva and Brahmā.

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.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Divyāstra (दिव्यास्त्र) refers to “divine weapon”, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult.—Accordingly, while describing the Mūrti (visualized iconic form) of the goddess Mālinī: “She is like the rising sun and is blissful with wine. Very beautiful, she has five faces and is radiant with five time three eyes. She is adorned with beautiful earrings and shines with diadem and crown. She has ten arms adorned with many ornaments. O beloved, (she holds) a bow, javelin, conch, makes the gesture of fearlessness and holds a mirror. (Such) is the divine weapon [i.e., divyāstra] in her left hands. (She holds) a thunderbolt, arrow, snake, makes a boon bestowing gesture and holds a rosary. O goddess, such is the divine weapon (held) by (her) right (hands)”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Divyāstra (दिव्यास्त्र).—[neuter] a cert. magical weapon.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Divya, Astra.

Full-text: Sampradaya, Astra, Yodhin, Divyarupin, Vidvams.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Divyastra, Divya-astra, Divyāstra; (plurals include: Divyastras, astras, Divyāstras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Formal Education System in Ancient India (by Sushmita Nath)

The Gurukula centre of learning < [Chapter 3 - Centres of Learning in Vedic and Buddhist Period]

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