ब्रह्मास्त्र
English meaning: the weapon of Brahmā
Definition
The most formidable celestial weapon, attributed to the creator Brahmā, capable of immense and irrevocable destruction. In the epics it is invoked only in dire extremity and is difficult to counter.
Example
“ब्रह्मास्त्रं महाविनाशकम्।”
In English: “The weapon of Brahmā is greatly destructive.”
Another example: “रामो ब्रह्मास्त्रेण रावणं जघान।”
Usage — When, Where & How
Classical and epic Sanskrit; the supreme celestial weapon invoked by mantra, prominent in Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa battle narratives. Used both literally and in modern Hindi/popular speech as a metaphor for an ultimate decisive measure.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
A compound of ब्रह्मा (brahmā), the creator god, + अस्त्र (astra) 'missile weapon' (√अस् 'to throw' + -tra); literally 'the missile of Brahmā'.
Synonyms
- ब्रह्मशिरस्
- ब्रह्मदण्ड
Related Words
- अस्त्र
- दिव्यास्त्र
- ब्रह्मन्
- पाशुपतास्त्र
- नारायणास्त्र
Common Collocations
- ब्रह्मास्त्रप्रयोग
- ब्रह्मास्त्रसंधान
- ब्रह्मास्त्रमन्त्र
- ब्रह्मास्त्रनिवारण
Word Forms
n., a-stem; nom. ब्रह्मास्त्रम्, acc. ब्रह्मास्त्रम्, instr. ब्रह्मास्त्रेण
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“मन्दः कवियशः प्रार्थी गमिष्याम्युपहास्यताम्। प्रांशुलभ्ये फले लोभादुद्बाहुरिव वामनः।।”
/Mandah kaviyashah prarthhi gamishyamyupahasytam. Pramshu-labhe phale lobhadud-bahur iva vamanah./
“Feeble-minded yet aspiring to a poet's fame, I go to be ridiculed — like a dwarf reaching for high fruit.”
“रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः”
/Ramo vigrahavan dharmah sadhuh satya-parakramah/
“Rama is righteousness incarnate — virtuous and true in valour.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M