Viswamitra Empowers Rama with Divine Weapons
Balakanda - Sarga 27
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Balakanda - Sarga 27
Sage Viswamitra grants Rama celestial weapons, including divine discuses, spears, and mystical armaments. Rama receives these powerful gifts, internalizing their essence for future use.
As dawn broke, the illustrious Viswamitra called Rama with a gentle smile. He addressed the prince with sweet words:
"O Rama, prince of great renown, I am extremely pleased with you. May you prosper! With great affection, I shall bestow upon you weapons from all realms. These celestial weapons will grant you power over gods, demons, serpents, and gandharvas (celestial musicians). Should they challenge you in battle, you will subdue and capture them. I shall confer all these weapons upon you. May you flourish!"
Viswamitra continued, "Rama, I shall grant you these great celestial weapons:
Dandachakra (the wheel of punishment)
Dharmachakra (the wheel of righteousness)
Kalachakra (the wheel of time)
Vishnuchakra (the discus of Vishnu)
Indrastra (Indra's weapon)
Vajrastra (thunderbolt weapon)
Shiva's superior spear
Brahmasirah (Brahma's head weapon)
Aishikastra (the reed weapon)
Brahmastra (the supreme weapon of Brahma)
Two maces: Modaki and Shikhari (both shining brightly)
O Rama, best among men, prince of the Kakutstha lineage, I shall also bestow upon you:
Dharmapasha (the noose of righteousness)
Kalapasha (the noose of time)
Varunapasha (the noose of the water god Varuna)
Two thunderbolts: Shushka and Ardra (dry and wet)
Painakastra (Shiva's bow weapon)
Narayanastra (the weapon of Vishnu)
Agneyastra (fire weapon) known as Shikara
Vayavyastra (wind weapon) known as Prathana
Hayashira (horse-head) weapon
Kraunchastra (weapon named after the Krauncha mountain)
Two Shakti (power) weapons"
Viswamitra continued, "I shall also grant you weapons used by the asuras (demons):
The dreadful Kankala (skeleton weapon)
Mushala (the pounding pestle)
Kapala (skull weapon)
Kankana (bracelet weapon)
Additionally, I bestow upon you:
Vaidyadhara weapon (pertaining to the celestial physicians)
The great weapon known as Nandana (the delighter)
Asirathna (an excellent scimitar)
The beloved Gandharva weapon known as Manava (human weapon)
Prasvapana and Prashamana (weapons that induce and suppress sleep)
The Saura (solar) weapon
Darpana (mirror) weapon
Shoshana (parching) weapon
Santapana (sorrow-inducing) weapon
Vilapana (wailing-inducing) weapon
The unassailable Madana weapon (favored by Manmatha, the god of love)
The Mohana (bewitching) weapon favored by pishachas (flesh-eating demons)
Tamasa (darkness) weapon
Saumana (lunar) weapon
The unassailable Samvarta weapon
Mausala (club) weapon
Satya (truth) weapon
The supreme Mayadhara (illusion-bearing) weapon
The fearsome Tejaprabha weapon (that removes the enemy's energy)
The cooling Shishira weapon
The supremely formidable Twashtu's weapon (of the celestial architect)
Bhaga's terrible sharp-arrowed weapon
The Manava (human) weapon
O mighty-armed prince Rama, receive these powerful and highly exalted weapons. They can assume any form at will. Accept them immediately."
Viswamitra, the exalted sage, stood facing east after purifying himself. With great joy, he recited the supreme collection of mantras (sacred verses) to Rama.
These mantras were extraordinarily powerful, their complete mastery challenging even for celestial beings. The sage now revealed these secret incantations to Rama, transferring the essence of the celestial weapons.
As Viswamitra chanted the mantras in a low tone, a miraculous event unfolded. The venerable weapons, embodying divine power, appeared before Rama in their spiritual form.
The presiding deities of these weapons also manifested. These munificent beings addressed Rama respectfully, their palms joined. They said in unison, "O Raghava (descendant of Raghu), we are here at your service. We shall be your devoted servants."
Rama, of the Kakutstha lineage, received the weapons respectfully. He touched each with his hand, accepting them. He then commanded the deities, "Reside in my mind and come to my aid when remembered."
This method allowed Rama to internalize the weapons' power, making them part of his consciousness, ready to be summoned at will.
With the ritual complete, the splendorous Rama, his mind filled with joy, bowed respectfully to the great sage Viswamitra. Having received these celestial weapons, Rama prepared to continue his journey with the sage.
Thus ends the twenty seventh sarga (chapter) of Balakanda (The Book of Youth) of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.