1.27: Divine Weapons

The dawn painted the sky with vibrant hues as we awoke from our peaceful slumber in the forest. With the sun's gentle rays casting a golden glow, the sage Viswamithra addressed me with words as sweet as honey, his voice filled with affection and reverence.

"O renowned prince, I am delighted with you. May you be safe and protected," Viswamithra spoke, his voice carrying a sense of deep affection. "With great love, I now bestow upon you all the suitable arrows, blessed and divine."

The sage's words resonated with profound meaning as he continued, "Celestial arrows, harnessed by gods, demons, Gandharvas, serpents, and men of the earth, have vanquished formidable enemies in countless battles. And now, I happily grant them all to you. May you be safe and victorious."

Viswamithra's voice carried the weight of divine wisdom as he listed the sacred weapons, "O Raghava, I gift you the Punishing Wheel and the Wheel of Dharma. Behold, the Wheel of Time, the Wheel of Lord Vishnu, and the Vajrayudha, the mighty weapon of Indra. And to you, the best among men, I bestow the blessed Trident, the arrow known as Brahma Crest, the Grass Blade Missile, and the incomparable Brahma Astra."

His words resonated with power as he continued, "O Kakustha, O tiger among men, O son of a king, I present to you two resplendent maces, Modaki and Shikari."

Viswamithra's voice carried a sense of authority as he unveiled more treasures, "O Rama, I grant you three nooses—Dharma Pasa, Kala Pasa, and Varuna Pasa—as well as the unparalleled Varuna Astra, a divine weapon of great potency."

The sage's words dripped with anticipation as he revealed further, "O sinless Rama, take hold of the two bolts, Shushka and Aardhhra. In addition, I give you the mighty Pinaka Asthra and the formidable Narayana Asthra."

Viswamithra's voice grew animated as he described the array of missiles bestowed upon me, "O valiant one, O son of a king, I grant you two missiles belonging to the Fire God—Shikaram and Prathamam—as well as the Vayava Asthra, the missile of the Wind God."

A sense of excitement filled the air as the sage continued, "O Kakustha, O Raghava, accept the Hayasira, the Horses Head, and the Krouncha, the Poison Arrow."

Viswamithra's words carried a hint of caution as he spoke of weapons intended to vanquish the Rakshasas, "I grant you the dreadful pounder known as Kankala, the rods called Kapalam and Kinkini."

His voice filled with pride as he presented more treasures, "O valorous one, O son of a king, I bestow upon you the great arrow of Vidhyadharas, Nandanam, and a sword adorned with rubies on its hilt."

Viswamithra's voice turned softer, yet no less potent, as he spoke of enchanting arrows, "O Rama, I give you the arrows beloved by Gandharvas—Mohana, Prasvapana, and Prashamana."

The sage's words took on a sense of intrigue as he revealed more weapons, "O renowned one, O tiger among men, O son of a king, I offer you the following missiles—Varshanam, which causes rain; Santhapana, which brings sorrow; Vilaapana, which incites loud cries; Mohana, the defenseless arrow of the God of Love, Manmatha; Maanava, the pet missile of the Gandharvas; and Paisaha, the dear missile of devils and ghosts."

Viswamithra's voice carried a sense of awe as he continued, "O mighty-armed Rama, I also present to you powerful and benevolent missiles such as Samvartha, the whirlwind; Mausala, the club; Sathya, the truth; and Maya Maya, the illusion."

The sage's voice filled with reverence as he revealed the final gifts, "O Rama, I bestow upon you the Theja Prabha, the missile of the Sun God, which weakens the power of your foes; the Shirhira, the arrow of the Moon God, symbolizing autumn; Sudhamana, the fatal arrow of Thwashta; Sheethasu, the dangerous missile of Bhaga that brings forth cold; and Manava, the arrow named after humankind."

Viswamithra's voice brimmed with confidence as he concluded, "O valiant Rama, these powerful arrows have the ability to assume any form, and their providence is unmatched. Take them now, O prince, for they are yours."