Vaishnavastra - History, Mentions and Usages

 मुक्तञ्चैव ह्यमुक्तञ्च मुक्तामुक्तमतः परम् । 

मन्त्रमुक्तञ्च चत्वारि धनुर्वेदपदानि वै ॥ 2.11 ॥

(Nītiprakāśika by Vaiśampāyana)

The Vaiṣṇavāstra, the Supremely powerful and infallible Divyāstra associated with Bhagavān Viṣṇu. It is capable of destroying any target, even the Immortals like the Devas. It has no counter, except by another Vaiṣṇavāstra, or by the will of Bhagavān Viṣṇu himself. 

It is a Mantra Mukta Divyāstra, defined in Tattva-vṛtti as, “मन्त्रैर्मुक्तमुपसंहाररहितं मन्त्रमुक्तमिति शेषः” “Mantra Mukta Divyāstra is the weapon that is released by invocation of Mantras.” 

Also, the word Mantra-mukta implies that no other Mantra other than itself can nullify it when the astra involved with that mantra for some Astras.

In this post, we shall focus only on the Vaiṣṇavāstra, and in Part 2, Nārāyānāstra will be seen in Detail.

History of this Astra

ततोऽर्जुनं वासुदेवः प्रत्युवाचार्यवद्वचः। शृणु गुह्यमिदं पार्थ पुरावृत्तं यथाऽनघ॥ येयं भूतधरा देवी सर्वभूतधरा धरा। सकामा लोककर्तारं नारायणमुपस्थिता॥ स सङ्गत्य तया सार्धं प्रीतस्तस्या वरं ददौ। सा वव्रे विष्णुसदृशं पुत्रमस्त्रं च वैष्णवम्॥ बभूव च सुतस्तस्या नरको नाम विश्रुतः। अस्त्रं च वैष्णवं तस्मै ददौ नारायणः स्वयम्॥ तदेवं नरकस्यासीदस्त्रं सर्वाहितान्तकम्। तस्मात्प्राग्ज्योतिषं प्राप्तं सर्वशस्त्रविघातनम्॥ नास्यावध्योऽस्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्मदन्यः कश्चिदर्जुन। तस्मान्मया कृतं ह्येतन्मा भूत्ते बुद्धिरन्यथा॥ 7.29.25-30

Then Vāsudeva replied to Arjuna with words like those of an Ācharya. “Listen, O Pārtha, O sinless one to this secret and ancient itihasa! This goddess Bhūmī who holds all beings is the earth, with her desires she approached Nārāyaṇa the creator of the worlds. 

He was pleased to meet her and gave her a boon, she chose a son like Viṣṇu and the Vaiṣṇava weapon. She had a son named Naraka and Lord Nārāyaṇa himself gave him the Vaiṣṇavāstra. That Narakāsura has destroyed all enemies with this. Therefore, Pragjyotisha has attained that which destroys all enemies. There is none in this world who is not to be killed by him but Me, O Arjuna. Therefore I have done this Do not think otherwise.

अनुनीय तु दाशार्हः पाण्डवं त्वरितोऽब्रवीत्। जहि प्राग्ज्योतिषं क्षिप्रं वाक्यशेषं च मे शृणु'॥ चतुर्मूर्तिरहं शश्वल्लोकत्राणार्थमुद्यतः। आत्मानं प्रविभज्येह लोकानां हितमादधे॥ एका मूर्तिस्तपश्चर्यां कुरुते मे भुवि स्थिता। अपरा पश्यति जगत्कुर्वाणं साध्वसाधुनी॥  अपरा कुरुते कर्म मानुषं लोकमाश्रिता। शेते चतुर्थीं त्वपरा निद्रां वर्षसहस्रिकीम्॥ याऽसौ वर्षसहस्रान्ते मूर्तिरुत्तिष्ठते मम। वरार्हेभ्यो वराञ्श्रेष्ठांस्तस्मिन्काले ददाति सा॥ 7.29.31-35

I have four forms, eternally engaged in protecting the worlds. Dividing my own Self, I maintain the weal of the worlds. One form of mine stays on the earth and is engaged in Tapasya. Another sees the good and the evil deeds in the world. My third form is in this world of Humans, engaged in karma. My fourth form lies in sleep for a thousand years and, upon awakening, grants exceptional boons to deserving men.

तं तु कालमनुप्राप्तं विदित्वा पृथिवी तदा। अयाचत वरं यन्मां नरकार्थाय तच्छृणु॥ देवानां दानवानां च अवध्यस्तनयोऽस्तु मे। उपेतो वैष्णवास्त्रेण तन्मे त्वं दातुमर्हसि॥ एवं वरमहं श्रुत्वा जगत्यास्तनये तदा। अमोघमस्त्रं प्रायच्छं वैष्णवं परमं पुरा॥ अवोचं चैतदस्त्रं वै ह्यमोघं भवतु क्षमे। नरकस्याभिरक्षार्थं नैनं कश्चिद्वधिष्यति॥ अनेनास्त्रेण ते गुप्तः सुतः परबलार्दनः। भविष्यति दुराधर्षः सर्वलोकेषु सर्वदा॥ तथेत्युक्त्वा गता देवी कृतकामा मनस्विनी। स चाप्यासीद्दुराधर्षो नरकः शत्रुतापनः॥ 7.29.37-41

Once, Bhūmī, knowing that the time had come, asked me for a boon for her son Naraka. The boon, Pārtha, was for the Vaiṣṇavāstra for her son, so that the Devas and the Asuras could not kill him.  “You must give me this astra,” she pleaded. Hearing her prayer, I gave of old the supreme Vaiṣṇavāstra to her son. 

I also said at that time, “O Bhūmīdevī, this astra will protect Naraka. No one will be able to kill him, and your son will be invincible in all the worlds and vanquish his enemies.”

तस्मात्प्राग्ज्योतिषं प्राप्तं तदस्त्रं पार्थ मामकम्। नास्यावध्योऽस्ति लोकेषु सेन्द्ररुद्रेषु मारिष॥ तन्मया त्वत्कृते चैतदन्यथैवोपनिर्मितम्। वियुक्तं परमास्त्रेण जहि पार्थ महासुरम्॥ अवध्योऽयं महास्त्रेण भगदत्तः सुरासुरैः'। वैरिणं जहि दुर्धर्षं भगदत्तं सुरद्विषम्। यथाऽहं जघ्निवान्पूर्वं हितार्थं नरकं तथा॥ 7.29.42-44

It was from Naraka, O Pārtha, that the lord of the Pragjyotishas received my weapon. 

There is no one in the entire world, not even Indra and Rudra, who cannot be killed with this weapon. 

So, it was for your very life that I received it upon myself. I have divested the great Asura of that supreme astra. 

Now kill your invincible enemy Bhagadatta, enemy of the Devas, even as, for the good of the worlds, I slew the Asura Naraka.

Now let us look at the usages of this Weapon throughout the Ancient Itihāsa.

Mentions and Usage - 1

Arjuna obtained this Astra from Indra at Devaloka, after staying with him for many years, along with other arts - 

उषित्वा पञ्चवर्षाणि सहस्राक्षनिवेशने। अवाप्य दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वाणि विबुधेश्वरात् ॥ आग्नेयं वारुणं सौम्यं वायव्यमथ वैष्णवम्। ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं ब्राह्मं पारमेष्ठ्यं प्रजापतेः ॥ यमस्य धातुः सवितुस्त्वष्टुर्वैश्रवणस्य चं। तानि प्राप्य सहस्राक्षादभिवाद्य शतक्रतुम् ॥ अनुज्ञातस्तदा तेन कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्। आगच्छदर्जुनः प्रीतः प्रहृष्टो गन्धपादनम् ॥ 3.165.17-20

After living for five years in the residence of Indra,  from the King of the Devas, he obtained all kinds of divine weapons. Āgneyāstra, the Varunāstra, the Saumyāstra, the Vāyavyāstra and the Vaiṣṇavāstra.

(Afterwards) He also got the Aindrāstra, Pāśupatāstra, and the weapon of Parameṣṭhi, the Brahmāstra, Yāmyāstra, Sauryāstra, Tvaṣṭrāstra and Kaubarāstra, the weapon of Vaiśravaṇa.

Having obtained the gifts from Indra, Arjuna paid obeisance to Indra and with his permission he circumambulated him Pleased and delighted Arjuna arrived at Gandhamandhana.

Arjuna obtained this Astra from Indra at Devaloka, this is also confirmed by others later in the Bhārata:

1.By Draupadī - 

ऐन्द्रवारुणवायव्यब्रह्माग्नेयैः सवैष्णवैः । अग्नीन्संतर्पयन्पार्थः सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणः। दिव्यैरस्त्रैरमेयात्मा सर्वांश्चैकरथोऽजयत् ॥  कौबेरं वैष्णवं शैवमस्त्राण्यन्यानि भारत। दर्शयन्नस्त्रवीर्यं च वासुदेवसहायवान् ॥ दिव्यं गान्धर्वमस्त्रं च वायव्यमथ वैष्णवम्। ब्राह्मं पाशुपतं चैव स्थूणाकर्णं च दर्शयन् ॥  4.22.103-105

2. By Arjuna himself to Uttara - 

ततोऽहमस्त्राण्यलभं दिव्यानि च दृढानि च। ब्राह्मं पाशुपतं चैव स्थूणाकर्णं च दुर्जयम् । ऐन्द्रं वारुणमाग्नेयं वायव्यमथ वैष्णवम् ॥ ततोऽहमजयं भूयो रथेनैन्द्रेण दुर्जयान्। 4.43.43-44

3. By Bhīṣma to Duryodhana - 

दृष्टं दुर्योधनैतत्ते यथा पार्थेन धीमता। जलस्य धारा जनिता शीतस्यामृतगन्धिनः ॥  एतस्य कर्ता लोकेऽस्मिन्नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते। आग्नेयं वारुणं सौम्यं वायव्यमथ वैष्णवम् ॥  ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं ब्रह्मं पारमेष्ठ्यं प्रजापतेः । धातुस्त्वष्टुश्च सवितुर्वैवस्वतमथापि वा॥ सर्वस्मिन्मानुषे लोके वेत्त्येको हि धनञ्जयः। 6.121.40-43

Mentions and Usage - 2

माहेन्द्रं च धनुर्दिव्यं धर्मराजे युधिष्ठिरे। वायव्यं भीमसेनस्य धनुर्दिव्यमभून्नृप॥ त्रैलोक्यरक्षणार्थाय ब्रह्मणा सृष्टमायुधम्। तद्दिव्यमजरं चैव फाल्गुनार्थाय वै धनुः॥ वैष्णवं नकुलायाथ सहदेवाय चाश्विनम्। घटोत्कचाय पौलस्त्यं धनुर्दिव्यं भयामकम्॥ 7.23.92-94

In Yudhishtira’s hands is the celestial bow Mahendra; Bhimasena has the Vāyavya; Phalguna wields the Brahmā which was created to protect the three worlds; Nakula grasps the Vaiṣṇava, and Sahadeva the Āswina. Ghatotkacha’s hand is the terrible Paulastya.

Note - This is not the Vaiṣṇavāstra, but the bow of Viṣṇu.

Mentions and Usage - 3

In this Infamous Incident, Śrī Kṛṣṇa takes this Astra on himself to save Arjuna from Bhagadatta on the 12th day of the Kurukṣetra War:

विसृष्टं भगदत्तेन तदस्त्रं सर्वघाति वै।  उरसा प्रतिजग्राह पार्थं सञ्छाद्य केशवः॥  वैजयन्त्यभवन्माला तदस्त्रं केशवोरसि।  पद्मकोशविचित्रा सा सर्वर्तुकुसुमोत्करा॥  ज्वलनार्केन्दुवर्णाभा पावकोज्ज्वलपल्लवा।  तया पद्मपलाशिन्या वातकम्पितपत्रया॥  शुशुभेऽभ्यधिकं शौरिरतसीपुष्पसन्निभः। 7.29.18-21

Roaring still more loudly, Bhagadatta invokes the Vaiṣṇava astra into his goad with mantras, and hurls it straight at Arjuna’s chest. But Śrī Kṛṣṇa sways into the path of that fatal weapon and, shielding Arjuna, receives the Vaiṣṇavāstra himself.

Striking Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s breast, the astra turns into a triumphal Vaijayantī mālā with flowers! It was decorated with lotus buds and bore flowers in all seasons, witn the color of the flaming sun and moon, like the brightness of fire. That lotus like garland with her leaves shaken by the wind, He shone even more than the flowers of the valiant Garland!

Mentions and Usage - 4

Next few incidents are from the Harivaṃśa Parva. In this Incident, the Devas remind Nārada to give the Young Pradyumna the Vaiṣṇavāstra to kill Śambara:

संबोधय महाबाहुं पूर्वजातिं च मोक्षय । वैष्णवास्त्रं प्रयच्छास्मै वधार्थं शम्बरस्य च ॥ अभेद्यं कवचं चास्य प्रयच्छासुरसूदन । 2.106.43-44

(Devas to Nārada) Remind the one with powerful arms about his earlier life and relieve him. Give him the Vaiṣṇava astra for killing Śambara and an unbreakable shield for the slayer of demons.

हत्वा तं शम्बरं वीर वैष्णवास्त्रेण संयुगे । गृह्य मायावतीं भार्यां द्वारकां गन्तुमर्हसि ॥ गृहाण वैष्णवं चास्त्रं कवचं च महाप्रभम् । शक्रेण तव सङ्गृह्य प्रेषितं शत्रुसूदन ॥ 2.106.53-54

(Nārada to Pradyumna) O valiant! After slaying Śambara in the battle with the Vaiṣṇava astra, you may proceed to Dvāraka taking your wife, Māyāvatī. O slayer of enemies! Take the Vaiṣṇava astra and the splendorous shield, collected and sent by Śakra (Indra) for you.

पार्वत्यां परितुष्टायां दत्तः शत्रुनिबर्हणः । अमोघश्चैव सङ्ग्रामे देवदानवमानवैः ॥ तदस्त्रप्रविघातार्थं देवीं त्वं स्मर्तुमर्हसि । स्तव्या चैव नमस्या च महादेवी रणोत्सुकैः ॥2.106.56-57

This unfailing weapon, that cannot be opposed in the battle by gods, demons and men in the battle, which destroys the enemies was given by Pāravatī who was highly pleased. The Goddess has to be remembered by you to block this weapon. Remember that the great Goddess shall be praised and paid obeisance by those who battle.

Note - As per the Instructions of Nārada, before even beginning the battle, Pradyumna prayed to Durgādevī for victory. Even before the Kurukṣetra War, Arjuna prayed to Durgādevī, with the instructions of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

( During the battle )

ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः । साधु साध्विति वाचोचुः पूजयन्केशवात्मजम् ॥ मुद्गरं पुष्पभूतं तु दृष्ट्वा प्रद्युम्नसंनिधौ । वैष्णवं परमास्त्रं तु नारदेन यथाहृतम् ॥ संदधे चापमानम्य इदं वचनमब्रवीत् । यद्यहं रुक्मिणीपुत्रः केशवस्यात्मजो ह्यहम् ॥ तेन सत्येन बाणेन जहि त्वं शम्बरं रणे । 2.107.22-25

Then all the Devas, Gandharvas, Siddhas as well as great Sages said: Well done and honoured the son of Keśava (Pradyumna), seeing the hammer becoming a garland of flowers on the body of Pradyumna. 

Fixing the highly powerful Vaiṣṇavāstra provided by Nārada on his bow, Pradyumna spoke the following words: (Pradyumna said :) If I am the son of Rukmiṇī and the son of Keśava, O weapon! Kill Śambara in the battle.

इत्युक्त्वा चापमाकृष्य सन्धाय च महामनाः ॥ चिक्षेप शम्बरस्याथ दह.ण्ल्लोकत्रयं यथा । स क्षिप्तो वृष्णिसिंहेन शरः क्रव्यादमोहनः ॥ हृद्यं शम्बरस्याथ भित्त्वा धरणिमागतः । न चास्य मांसं न स्नायुर्नास्थि न त्वङ् न शोणितम् ॥ सर्वं तद्भस्मसाद्भूतं वैष्णवास्त्रस्य तेजसा । 2.107.25-27 

अथ समरहते तु दैत्यराजे मधुमथनस्य सुतेन वैष्णवास्त्रैः । विगतरिपुभयाः सुराश्च जग्मुर्मकरविभूषणकेतनं स्तुवन्तः ॥2.107.31

Saying this, the one having great soul, Pradyumna pulled the bow string and shot the weapon at Śambara as if all the three worlds will burn. 

The arrow shot thus by the lion of Vṛṣṇīs, Pradyumna, tempting the flesh, split the heart of Śambara and entered the earth. 

His flesh, muscles, nerves, bones, skin or blood did not remain. Everything was reduced to ashes by the splendor of the Vaiṣṇava weapon. 

As the son (Pradyumna) of Madhusūdana, killed the king of demons with the Vaiṣṇavāstra in the battle, the Devas went away, devoid of the fear of enemies, praising Pradyumna, the one having the sign of fish on his flag.

Mentions and Usage - 5

During the war with Bāṇāsura, Rudra fought Śrī Kṛṣṇa in support of Bāṇāsura. They fought with each other Fiercely with various Divyāstras, and finally Śrī Kṛṣṇa used the Vaiṣṇavāstra on the followers of Rudra, to scatter them. Then after the advice of Brahmā to Rudra, they stopped fighting with each other.

अस्त्रैश्चतुर्भिश्चत्वारि वारयित्वाशु माधवः । मुमोच वैष्णवं सोऽस्त्रं व्यादितास्यान्तकोपमम् ॥ वैष्णवास्त्रे प्रयुक्ते तु सर्व एवासुरोत्तमाः । भूतयक्षगणाश्चैव बाणानीकं च सर्वशः ॥ दिशः सर्वा प्राद्रवन्त भयमोहेन विक्लवाः । 2.124.47-48

Mādhava, aftes blocking the four astras (shot by Rudra) by shooting four weapons, released the Vaiṣṇavāstra having open mouth, similar to the god of death.  

As Śrī Kṛṣṇa shot the weapon, all the best among demons, all beings, groups of Yakṣas as also the army of Bāṇa, confused by fear and becoming distressed, ran away in all directions.

Mentions and Usage - 6

After the War with Bānāsura and making peace with him, Śrī Kṛṣṇa went to Varuṇaloka, to get the Special Cows of Bāṇa. Varuṇadeva made a treaty with Bāṇa to protect the cows with his life and fight anyone to tries to get it:

ततः शरौघैर्विमलैर्वरुणः पीडितो रणे । स्मयन्निव ततः कृष्णं वरुणः प्रत्ययुध्यत ॥ अतोऽस्त्रं वैष्णवं घोरमभिमन्त्र्याहवे स्थितः । वासुदेवोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं प्रमुखे तस्य धीमतः ॥ इदमस्त्रं महाघोरं वैष्णवं शत्रुसूदनम् । मयोद्यतं वधार्थं ते तिष्ठेदानीं स्थिरो भव ॥ ततोऽस्त्रं वरुणो देवो ह्यस्त्रं वैष्णवमुद्यतः । वारुणास्त्रेण संयोज्य विननाद महाबलः ॥ 2.127.65-68

Then Varuṇa was oppressed by a pure group of arrows in the battle. Varuṇa battled with Kṛṣṇa smiling. Invoking the terrible weapon, the Vaiṣṇavāstra in the battle, Śrī Kṛṣṇa spoke as follows to the one with intellect, Varuṇa. 

(Kṛṣṇa said) “I have taken this highly terrible weapon, Vaiṣṇavāstra, the killer of enemies, for killing you. Now you shall stop.” Aiming the Vaiṣṇavāstra at Varuṇadeva, Śrī Kṛṣṇa readied himself. The highly powerful Varuṇa took up the Varuṇāstra and roared.

अस्यास्त्रे वितता ह्यापो वरुणस्य विनिःसृताः । वैष्णवास्त्रस्य शमने वर्तते समितिञ्जयः ॥ आपस्तु वारुणास्तत्र क्Sइप्ताः क्षिप्ता ज्वलन्ति वै । दह्यन्ते वारुणास्तत्र ततोऽस्त्रे ज्वलिते पुनः ॥ वैष्णवे तु महावीर्ये दिशो भीता विदुद्रुवुः । तद्बलं ज्वलितं दृष्ट्वा वरुणः कृष्णमब्रवीत् ॥  2.127.69-71

Water jets emerged from the Varuṇāstra. Śrī Kṛṣṇa prepared to shoot the Vaiṣṇavāstra to control the same. The water jets shot by Varuṇa began to boil. The Varuṇāstra was burned as the Vaiṣṇavāstra blazed again. As the highly powerful Vaiṣṇavāstra blazed, all of them ran away in all directions. Seeing his army in flames, Varuṇa told the following:

आग्नेयं वैष्णवं सौम्यं प्रकृत्यैवेदमादितः । 

त्वया सृष्टं जगदिदं स कथं मयि वर्तसे ॥ 2.127.77

Using appropriate nature, you have created the weapons of Agneyāstra, Vaiṣṇavāstra and Saumyāstra etc.. You have created this whole world. Then why are you confronting me?

Mentions and Usage - 7

In the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, After Śrī Rāma got the Viṣṇu’s bow, he used the Vaiṣṇavāstra to Humble Paraśurāma from his Pride. Then Paraśurāma took his leave and went to Mahendra Giri, and Śrī Rāma gave the bow to Varuṇa.

न ह्ययं वैष्णवो दिव्यः शरः परपुरंजयः । मोघः पतति वीर्येण बलदर्पविनाशनः ॥ क्रायुधधरं रामं द्रष्टुं सर्षिगणाः सुराः ।  पितामहं पुरस्कृत्य समेतास्तत्र सर्वशः ॥ 1.76.8-9

(Śrī Rāma said to Paraśurāma) “This transcendent Divyāstra of Lord Viṣṇu, the Vaiṣṇavāstra, capable as it is of reducing the stronghold of an enemy and crushing the might as well as the pride of an adversary by its unique power, never goes without hitting its mark.” 

Placing, Brahmā (the progenitor of the entire creation) at their head, all the gods, accompanied by hosts of Ṛṣis, assembled there in their aerial cars in order to behold Śrī Rāma wielding the superb Astra of Lord Viṣṇu.

Mentions and Usage - 8

In the Sabhā Parva, After Śiśupāla insulted Śrī Kṛṣṇa, after the 100th Offense, A Grand Battle happened, where Śiśupāla fought with Bhagavān, where the Vaiṣṇavāstra was used by both. After this Quick Battle only, Śrī Kṛṣṇa used the Sudarśana to kill him. This is present only in the Dākṣinātya Recension:

चक्रातेऽस्त्रमयं युद्धं घोरं तदतिमानुषम्॥ आग्नेयमस्त्रं मुमुचे शिशुपालः प्रतापवान्। वारुणास्त्रेण तच्छ्रीघ्रं नाशयामास केशवः॥ कौबेरमस्त्रं सहसा चेदिराट् प्रमुमोच ह। कौबेरणैव सहसाऽनाशयत्तं जगत्प्रभुः॥ याम्यमस्त्रं ततः क्रुद्धो मुमुचे कालमोहितः। याम्येनैवास्त्रयोगेन याम्यमस्त्रं व्यनाशयत्॥ गान्धर्वेण च गान्धर्वं मानवं मानवेन च। वायव्येन च वायव्यं रौद्रं रौद्रेण चाभिभूः॥ ऐन्द्रमैन्द्रेण भगवान्वैष्णवेन च वैष्णवम्। एवमस्त्राणि कुर्वाणौ युयुधाते महाबलौ॥ 2.70.27-32 

They (Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Śiśupāla) engaged in a dreadful and superhuman battle with Divyāstras. The mighty Śiśupāla first, released the Āgneyāstra. 

Śrī Keśava quickly destroyed it with the Varunāstra. Suddenly the king of Chedi released the Kaubarāstra, then Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Creator of this Universe, countered it with another Kaubarāstra. Then in anger deluded by time he released the Yāmyāstra. By the combination of the Yāmya weapon, he countered the Yāmyāstra. And by the Gāndharvāstra,  with the Gāndharvāstra, and the Mānavāstra by the Mānavāstra. 

The king then used the Vāyavyāstra, and Śrī Kṛṣṇa countered with the Vāyavyāstra, Raudrāstra with the Raudrāstra, Aindrāstra with the Aindrāstra and finally, the divine Vaiṣṇavāstra with his own Vaiṣṇavāstra. Thus wielding Fatal Astras, the two mighty warriors fought fiercely.

This is all the information that could be found regarding the Vaiṣṇavāstra by us. In the next part, we shall look into the Nārāyanāstra, and also do a comparison with the Pāśupatāstra.