Nagastra, Nāgāstra, Naga-astra: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Nagastra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
In Hinduism
Dhanurveda (science of warfare)
Source: Wisdom Library: DhanurvedaNāgāstra (नागास्त्र) refers to a weapon (a serpent-shaped missile). 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.
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.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaNāgāstra (नागास्त्र).—A destructive weapon (arrow). The following story about the astra is told in the Yuddha Kāṇḍa of Kamba Rāmāyaṇa. (See full article at Story of Nāgāstra from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusNāgāstra (ನಾಗಾಸ್ತ್ರ):—
1) [noun] a mystic arrow which would, when touched a persoṇs body, inflict a deadly venom into it.
2) [noun] a mystic arrow that would bind the targeted person firmly.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Pannagastra.
Full-text: Viramahendra, Nakattiram, Naga, Shalmalidvipa, Ashvasena.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Nagastra, Nāgāstra, Naga-astra, Nāga-astra; (plurals include: Nagastras, Nāgāstras, astras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Animal Kingdom (Tiryak) in Epics (by Saranya P.S)
Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis) (by S. Anusha)
Popular Astra-prayogas of Rāmāyaṇa War < [Chapter 3]
Popular Astra-prayogas of Kurkṣetra War < [Chapter 3]
Saṃhāra weapons (1): Sopasaṃhāra-astras < [Chapter 3]
Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation (by S. Satyamurthi Ayyangar)
Pasuram 3.10.4 < [Section 10 - Tenth Tiruvaymoli (Canmam Palapala)]
The Agni Purana (by N. Gangadharan)
Ramayana the World Over < [July – September 1975]
The Golden Age of Hindu-Javanese Art < [November-December 1932]