In mythology, there are few descriptions of the powerful weapon in the world. Brahmastra is a dangerous and devastating weapon in the world. In the Indian epics, there are two types of weapons: the Astras charged by Mantras and the Satras, or the physical weapons.
To use these mantras, one must chant a mantra to please the corresponding god. There are many astras mentioned in Indian mythology such as Brahmastra, Brahmarshiastra, Agneyastra, Garudastra, Narayanastra, Pashupatastra, Varunastra, etc. In these above astras, Brahmastra is the most powerful weapon in the world that can destroy every living organism on the earth.
Lord Brahma created this Brahmastra to sustain Satya and Dharma. The Brahmastra can destroy the enemy no matter what happened and follow him until it fulfills its destiny. There is no other weapon in the world to counter this Astra and no one can withdraw the Astra once it is aimed.
Use of Brahmastra
In Indian mythology, many have used the Brahmastra. It was mentioned in both Ramayana and Mahabharata. But the Brahmastra either received from a guru to shishya or by immense penance. Great characters like Vishwammitra, Vashishta, Parashurama, Rama, Dronacharya, Arjuna, and Ashwatthama used this powerful weapon in the world.
People who used Brahmastra
King Kaushika (Vishwamitra)
The Brahmastra was first used by King Kaushika popularly known as Brahmarshi Vishwamitra. One day king Kaushika visited Sage Vasishta ashram along with his army. Vasishta feeds the king and his army without any difficulties.
The king became astonished and enquired about the reason, the Sage told him about the cow Nandini, or Sabala, the daughter of Kamadhenu (holy cow). Kaushika ordered his army to capture the cow but Vasishta defeated the entire army. The enraged king started a penance for Lord Shiva who eventually blessed him with all the knowledge about the divine astras.
King Kaushika again invaded the ashram for the cow. He used all the astras including Brahmastra too. But King Kaushika failed to defeat Sage Vasishta because Vasishta used the Brahmananda, a weapon made by Lord Brahma to suppress the power of Brahmastra.
Parashurama
According to ancient Hindu stories, Parashurama started a hunt on Kshatriyas. Brahmastra, a powerful weapon in the world, comes in this tale. This story was said to have happened in the Treta Yuga. After a king killed his father, and brothers, and destroyed the entire ashram. Parashurama started a hunt to stop this tyranny with his axe to destroy the entire Kshatriya race.
Parashurama battled against the Kshatriya warriors for 21 days and with his skill in combat and use of divine weapons. He was able to kill all the Kshatriyas he encountered. It is said that he even used Brahmastra in the battle to ensure the destruction of the Kshatriya race.
However, after the Kshatriyas were defeated, Lord Parashurama realized that his actions had caused too much bloodshed and violence. He decided to atone for his sins by performing penance and offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Impressed by Lord Parashurama's devotion and penance, Lord Shiva blessed him and instructed him to travel across the country to teach martial arts and weaponry to the people. It is said that Lord Parashurama spent the rest of his life traveling and spreading knowledge of combat and weaponry among the people, becoming a revered teacher and mentor to many.
Lord Rama
In the Ramayana, we find many situations where Lord Rama used Brahmastra. Once Lord Rama was sleeping on the lap of his wife Sita. Jayanta, son of Indra, attacked her under the disguise of a crow and pecked at her breasts. Rama identified the crow and out of rage used Brahmastra to destroy it.
The crow flew all over the universe to escape but the weapon followed him. On the advice of Indra and other sages, the crow took shelter under Rama and surrendered himself. Indra asked Rama to forgive him, so it hurt the crow's eye and left him blind. Lord Rama also used the Brahmastra to kill Maricha and he also aimed the powerful weapon at Samudra Deva (King of seas).
Before releasing it he appeared to fulfill the task to hold the stones on the water's surface making Ram Setu. But once the weapon is aimed, there is no way to withdraw it, so Rama sent the Astra to Dhrumatulya, where it destroyed everything around and created the present-day deserts of Rajasthan.
Also read: What happened to Vanaras of Kishkindha after Ramayana?
Indrajit
Indrajit, the son of Ravana did an immense penance for Lord Brahma. Pleased for his penance, Brahma offered him the most powerful weapon in the world.
Indrajit used the Brahmastra against Lord Hanuman to avoid him from destroying the Golden Lanka. But Astra doesn't show any impact on Lord Hanuman just made him fall. This is because of the boon given by Lord Brahma that no weapon can harm you.
Who used Brahmastra in Mahabharata?
In Kurukshetra War
In the Mahabharata, only Parashurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Ashwatthama, and Arjun possess the knowledge of the mantra to stimulate the Brahmastra. Karna got knowledge of Brahmastra from his guru Parashurama but doesn't able to utilize it because of the curse.
In the mighty of Kurukshetra, Dronacharya too wished to use the Brahmastra to destroy the Pandavas, but the gods requested him to withdraw the decision. The reason for that is the impact the weapon would create and also the Pandavas are fighting for the truth.
Arjuna and Ashwatthama
After the Kurukshetra war, Ashwattama used the Brahmastra to kill the Pandavas to avenge his friend and father's death. The weapon killed the Upa Pandavas who were resting in the Pandava's tent. Knowing about this brutal incident, Pandavas and Lord Krishna tracked him down to Vyasa's ashram.
Seeing them coming, Ashwatthama used a blaze of grass into a Brahmashirsha Astra and targeted it at them. Arjuna too launched a Brahmashirsha Astra to defend themselves but ended up recalling it back upon Vyasa and Narada's request. Because the collision of the deadliest weapons causes greater damage.
Ashwatthama did not know how to recall the weapon, so he directed it to Uttara's womb. The weapon killed the child (Parikshit) inside the womb. However, Lord Krishna saved the child by using his grace and power. Later, Lord Krishna cursed Ashwatthama to live forever with the deadliest diseases.
Conclusion
In the Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dwapara Yuga the mantras were written down. Through hard work, dedication, and patience, only a few of the chosen ones would learn the usage of the Astras. But the Kali Yuga is an age of materialism, the mantras were not written down anymore in order to protect the world, as the Astras could be used for evil purposes.
