Hindu Weapons

These Are Hindu Weapons (Physical) And does not Include Hinduism Mythological Weapons, which we will include very soon in coming weeks. these are few weapons we have mentioned used by hindus. -if you know more weapons you can EMAIL us.

KHANDA

The khanda and related Indian straight swords are generally used in Indian theatre and art to represent the weapons of the ancient period of Indian history. Some religious iconography, such as statues of Kali, feature it. Straight swords are used in the classical Kathakali dance form, and the related Indian martial art Kalarippayattu. Indian television adaptations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics sometimes use the khanda sword to reflect the ancient nature of the setting.The khanda can sometimes be found in Indian comics, such as the Virgin Comics title Blade of the Warrior: Kshatriya, and the Amar Chitra Katha series.

The Khanda (from Devanagari) is a sword unique to India, traditionally associated with the Rajputs, Marathas and other clans of the Kshatriya warrior class of India. The khanda is a double-edged straight sword. The blade is usually broad and quite heavy, and broadens from the hilt to the tip. The blade transforms into tip rather abruptly somewhat resembling the tips of ancient Roman swords. The hilt has a small metal spike coming out in the opposite direction which is typical of khanda. Many other straight swords around the world were primarily used for thrusting and stabbing with the tip, whereas the khanda was mainly used to hack or cleave with the edge of the blade. See Indian martial arts.

The Rajput warrior clans in perticular venetrated the khanda as a weapon of great prestige, especially during the holy festival of Dussera, when it would often be the centre of a warrior family's religious rites. The Katar, Pata and Urumi are three other examples of bladed weapons unique to India.

TRISHULA
A Trishula (Sanskrit) is a type of traditional Hindu Weapon, usually a Hindu religious symbol. The trishula symbolism is polyvalent and rich. The trishula may also be mounted on a danda or staff. The trishula is wielded by the Hindu God Shiva and is said to have been used to sever the original head of the Hindu God Ganesha. The three points have various meanings and significance, and, common to Hindu mythology, have many stories behind them. They are commonly said to represent various
trinities--creation, maintenance and destruction, past, present and future, the three gunas.

It also represents the place where the three main nadis, or energy channels meet at the brow. Shushmana, the central one, continues upward to the 7th chakra, or energy center, while the other two end at the brow, there the 6th chakra is located. The trisula's central point represents Shushmana, and that is why it is longer than the other two, representing ida and pingala.

Trishula is Sanskrit for "three-spear". This is the original meaning of the term.
Trishula is the Pali word for a "Trident".
Trishula can also designate the Buddhist symbol of the triratna.
A similar word, Trishul, it the Romani word for Cross.

The Goddess Durga also holds the Trishula among other weapons and attributes in Her hands and amongst her accoutrement, having received celestial weapons from both Shiva and Vishnu. In Nepal, the trishul is the election symbol of the Communist Party of Nepal. It can be found in Roman/South American/East European Civilisation, and believe that Hinduism was largely spreaded religion during BCE.

GADA
The Gada, or Mace, is one of the traditional pieces of training equipment in Hindu Physical Culture. Official weapon of Shri Hanuman Ji. The Gada consists of a heavy iron or stone ball attached to the end of a stick. Maces of various weights and heights are used depending on the strength and skil llevel. For training purposes, the Gada is swung behind the back in several different ways and is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance.

KATAR
A katar (Devanāgarī), also known as a Bundi dagger, is a type of short punching sword that is native to the Indian subcontinent and The katar is a purely Hindu weapon and is never found outside of India.. It was used by Indian warriors called Rajputs. It is notable for its horizontal hand grip, which results in the blade of the sword sitting above the user's knuckles. Three other examples of bladed weapons native and unique to India are the Khanda, Urumi and Pata. Typically, katars were used in close range hand-to-hand combat, which is effective in armour piercing. The blade was often corrugated for additional strength. "Hooded katars" are katars with a shield extending over the back of the user's hand. The handle sides were also used to block attacks, since all katars had an "n"-shaped handle. Because of the nature of the weapon, attacks were mainly direct thrusts that would easily pierce the enemies' armor with a single but strong sonic blow, possible because of the light weight and amazing attack speeds that could be achieved. The use of poisons was another deadly way of increasing the katar's effectivity in battle. Katars ceased to be in common use in the 19th century.

The katar is one of the oldest and most characteristic of the Indian knife weapons. Its peculiarity lies in the handle which is made up of two parallel bars connected by two, or more, cross pieces, one of which is at the end of the side bars and is fastened to the blade. The remainder forms the handle which is at right angle to the blade. The blades are always double-edged and are generally straight and with lengths from a few inches to about 3 feet. The blades of southern India are often made broad at the hilt and taper in straight lines to the point, and elaborately ribbed by grooves parallel to the edges. European blades of the 16th and 17th centuries were often used, especially by the Mahrattas and were always riveted to projections from the hilt. Katars with native blades are often thickened at the point to strengthen them for use against mail and are often forged in one piece with the hilt. The blades are sometimes forked at the point, and katars with two, and even three blades occur. The Indian armorers occasionally made katars that were hollow and served as a sheath for smaller ones: or with three blades that folded together, appearing to be one, until the handle bars were pressed together, when they opened out. There is even a katar displayed at the City Palace Museum in Jaipur, with two single-shot pistols built into either side of the weapon. Many katars have guards for the back of the hand made with solid plates but many are elaborately pierced. Among the Mahrattas the gauntlet sword, called pata, was evolved from the katar. Retractable forearm daggers are mechanical modern versions of the katar.

The katar is used to stab an opponent one has to simply punch instead of thrust, unlike when using a regular knife or dagger. It is more like an extension of the fist than a dagger, and it seems more natural to attack and defend with a katar. Sometimes, a katar is also used as a main-gauche in dual blade fencing. When a katar with multiple blades is used, it is rather easy to catch any more traditional weapon (sword, staff) between them and get a hold. 'Katar' is also a basic term for any short bladed weapon with the same handle as the one in the picture above, although stabbing is its primary purpose, many blunt ended katars have been made, some with no tip at all.

PATA
A Pata (Sanskrit) or sword gauntlet is a bladed weapon of the Rajputs from Northern India much like a short sword, except that the blade is integrated in a gauntlet. (The use of the term Pata vs. the Devangari पट possibly dates to Portuguese terminology for the claw or hoof which the weapon resembles). Three other examples of swords unique to Hinduism are the Khanda, Katar and Urumi. In use, it could be employed as a Katar, though the additional support from being laid along the forearm may have allowed them to be used as a slashing weapon too. It was considered to be a highly effective weapon for Infantrymen against heavily armoured cavalry. The Pata gradually evolved from 10 inch (25 cm) long Katar to sometimes as long as 44 inch (114 cm) long, double edged weapon. Shivaji was believed to be a prominent user of this weapon during his time. One of his generals, Tanaji Malusare, used the weapon with both his hands during the Battle of Sinhagad, before one of his hands was cut off. Emperor Akbar also used this weapon during the siege of Gujarat. The Rajput warriors are known to have used this weapon very effectively during Mughal Period. They also developed variations of Pata with matchlock pistols adjoining the handle too. One of the best collections of this weapon can be seen at the Durbar Hall, Shiva Nivas Palace, at Udaipur, Rajasthan. The erstwhile rulers – the Royal Family of Mewar owns the collection. It is displayed along with many other medieval weapons

VAJRA

In Hindu mythology, Vajra is the weapon of Indra, the god of rain, lightning and the sky and king of Devas. It is a powerful weapon having the combined features of sword, mace, and spear.It is made up of bones of sage Dadhichi, who gave up his life in order to gift it to indra to fight. As a material device, the vajra is a short metal weapon that has the symbolic nature of a diamond (it can cut any substance but not be cut itself) and that of the thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is believed to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. It is a ritual tool or spiritual implement which is symbolically used by Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. Because of its symbolic importance, the vajra spread along with Indian religion and culture to other parts of Asia. It was used as both a weapon and a symbol in Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan, Siam, Cambodia, Myanmar, China, Korea and Japan.

CHAKRA / CHAKRAM

Sudarshana Chakra (Sanskrit) is a spinning disc like weapon with very sharp edge, which serves as an attribute of the Hindu God Vishnu. Lord Vishnu, also called Narayana, is portrayed with four hands, holding a Shankha (a conch shell), the Sudarshana, a Gada (mace) and a Padma (lotus). Lord Vishnu is depicted holding the chakra from a central hole, with his index finger. The disc spins around his finger. According to the Puranas, he would release it and it would do the required deed and return to his finger. It is revered as a divine weapon. In another version, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Devi jointly have the capability of operating the chakra

PARASHU

In Hindu mythology, the Battle-Axe, was the choice weapon of Parashurama. Parashurama was one of the few Brahmin 'Guru's who were also masters of hand to hand combat. He was considered on par with Dronacharya, the Guru who instructed the Pandavas in the epic of the Mahabharata. Karna, half brother of Pandavas took instruction in weaponry from Parashurama, a disciple of lord Shiva, and was known to have terrible temper having lost his father to the evil Asuras. Parashurama in his anger got rid of the "Kshatriyas", the martial races of the earth, seven times over. The parashu was known to have super natural powers. It had four cutting edges, one on each end of the blade head and one on each end of the shaft. The parashu was also known as the most lethal close combat weapon of the epics.

PASHUPATASRA

The Pashupatastra, in Hindu mythology, is the irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Siva discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow. Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupata is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings.

DHANUSH

Shiva Dhanush (Sanskrit) in Hindu mythology, was the divine bow of Lord Shiva gifted to King Janaka by Sage Parashurama for safe-keeping while the sage performed penances. It was gifted to Parashurama by Shiva for being a great disciple.

In earlier part of her life, Sita while playing with her sisters had unknowingly moved the table over which the "Shiva Dhanush" had been placed; which was something no one in the palace could do. This incident was however observed by King Janaka and he decided to make this incident as the backdrop for swayamvar.

Later, Janaka had announced that whoever wanted to marry Sita had to do so only after lifting (which was itself a difficult job) the bow from its place and stringing it. The bow was broken by Lord Rama when he attempted to string the bow, during the swayamvar of King Janaka's daughter, Sita, whereby he won the hand of Sita in marriage. After the swayamvar, while Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were on their way to Ayodhya, Parashurama confronted and challenged Rama for breaking the bow.

TALWAR

A talwar, talwaar is a type of sword, originating in Hinduism dating back to at least the 13th century.The talwar may have replaced the unique khanda sword of ancient Hindus as the sword of choice in Rajputs. The khanda became the weapon of last resort. Rajput warriors in battle wielded it with both hands and swung it over their head when surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy. It was in this manner that they traditionally committed an honourable last stand rather than be captured.

BHAG NAKH

A bagh nakh is an Indian hand-to-hand weapon designed to fit over the knuckles or concealed under and against the palm. It traditionally consists of four or five curved blades affixed to a crossbar or glove, and is designed to slash through skin and muscle, mimicking wounds inflicted by a wild animal. The bagh nakh is similar to brass knuckles or neko-te. The weapon was developed in India, primarily for self-defence, though there are conflicting reports of the time period in which they appeared. The first well-known usage of the weapon was by the first Maratha Emperor Shivaji. He used a variation of the bagh nakh (the Bich'hwa bag'hnak) to defeat Afzal Khan, a Bijapur Sardar.