VEDA GYAN - 14

WEAPONS OF VEDIC TIMES – NAAGASTRA

Naagastra is a diving weapon whose poison was given by the king of snakes Vasuki.  This was shaped in the form of an arrow.  This weapon contains the most poisonous gases and radiations, which could wipe out the enemy.

This could be compared to the Neutron Bomb of the modern days.  The Neutron Bomb has many facilities lacking compared to the Naagastra.  Neutron bomb could eliminate the life in the area where it is dropped without destroying the infrastructure.  This is done by the radiation of the blast.  Similarly in Naagastra could destroy the life in the area without having any explosive qualities.

Naagastra could be very specific.  It could target an area, or group of people or a single individual.  In Ramayan, Indrajit, the son of Ravan, used this weapon against Lakshman.  Lord Lakshman who himself was the great serpant on which Lord Vishnu used to lie down, the Ananta Sesha, was knocked down and was battling for his life.  It was only after Hanuman brought the Mruta Sanjeevini herbs, Lord Lakshman was brought back to life.

Similarly, in Mahabarath, Karna uses this weapon against Arjun.  Lord Krishna pushes down the chariot whereby the Naagastra just hits the crown of Arjun.

Such was the precision of the use of the weapons during the Vedic age.  The person who sends this Naagastra has absolute control on this weapon.  Like the other weapons of Vedic time, the sender can recall the Naagastra before it crosses a particular distance, he can it render it harmless, before it crosses a further particular distance, he can split the power of poison and radiation into one and just the weapon into another before it crosses a further particular distance.  This utility of the weapon can help the sender to save the target against whom he has sent the Naagastra.  Only the weapon will hit the target causing just minor injuries, where as he can sent the poison and the radiation to another deserted place or to the sea.

These facilities are not present in the modern day Neutron bomb or in any other weapons made till date.

These flexibility to use and hit a target precisely or to save the target after having sent the weapon against the target, made the weapons of Vedic times more superior compared to the weapons made till date.

Hari Om !!