Pashupatastra, Pashupata-astra, Pāśupatāstra: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Pashupatastra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Pāśupatāstra can be transliterated into English as Pasupatastra or Pashupatastra, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Wisdom Library: ŚāktismPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र) is a Sanskrit word for a weapon used in Purāṇic literature, such as the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa (9.20.22-53), where it was in the presence of Devī Bhadrakālī, who was preparing for the war between Śankhacūḍa with the Devas.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)
Source: ISKCON Press: GlossaryPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र).—The ultimate weapon of Lord Śiva. This weapon was used by Arjuna to kill Jayadratha.
Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).
Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)
Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric TraditionsPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र) (or simply Pāśupata) refers to type of Vrata (“observance”), as quoted by Hṛdayaśiva in his Prāyaścittasamuccaya (verse 10.27-35).—Accordingly, “[...] The Mantrin, intent on attaining all manner of special powers, should perform the observance for the pāśupatāstra resolutely dressed in multi-coloured garments and with multi-coloured garlands and unguents. And upon the completion of one or another of these observances, he should pour upon himself Śiva-water that has been consecrated by recitation of his mantra over it from a pot. [...]”.
Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र) refers to “fixing the arrow Pāśupata”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.10 (“The burning of the Tripuras”).—Accordingly, as Sanatkumāra narrated to Vyāsa: “[...] Then stringing the bow tight and fixing the arrow Pāśupata (pāśupatāstra) worthy of worship, he thought of the Tripuras. Then lord Śiva, an expert in excellent divine sports for some reason looked at it with contempt. Śiva is capable of reducing the three cities to ashes in a trice, Still lord Śiva, the goal of the good bides his time. [...]”.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र): Pāśupatāstra is the irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Siva discharged by the mind, eyes, words or a bow.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र).—Name of a missile presided over by पशुपति (paśupati) or Śiva (which Arjuna acquired from Śiva).
Derivable forms: pāśupatāstram (पाशुपतास्त्रम्).
Pāśupatāstra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms pāśupata and astra (अस्त्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र).—n.
(-straṃ) Siva'S trident. E. pāśupata, and astra a weapon.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र):—[from pāśupata > pāśava] n. Śiva’s trident, [Mahābhārata]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryPāśupatāstra (पाशुपतास्त्र):—[pāśupatā+stra] (straṃ) 1. n. Shiva's trident.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusPāśupatāstra (ಪಾಶುಪತಾಸ್ತ್ರ):—[noun] = ಪಾಶುಪತ [pashupata]2 - 3.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Pashupata, Astra.
Full-text: Pashupata, Pacupatappatai, Kiratarjuniya, Svatman, Citrambara, Citramalya, Parijapta, Svamantra, Citranulepana, Ambhas, Mantraparijapta, Citrambaradhara, Shivambhas, Kalasha, Vajrabahu, Citra, Arjuna.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Pashupatastra, Pashupata-astra, Pāśupatāstra, Pasupatastra, Pasupata-astra, Pāśupata-astra; (plurals include: Pashupatastras, astras, Pāśupatāstras, Pasupatastras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Chaitanya Bhagavata (by Bhumipati Dāsa)
Verse 3.2.347-348 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Lord’s Travel Through Bhuvaneśvara and Other Placesto Jagannātha Purī]
Verse 3.2.330-333 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Lord’s Travel Through Bhuvaneśvara and Other Placesto Jagannātha Purī]
Verse 3.2.324 < [Chapter 2 - Description of the Lord’s Travel Through Bhuvaneśvara and Other Placesto Jagannātha Purī]
Rudra-Shiva concept (Study) (by Maumita Bhattacharjee)
8. Destruction of the three cities < [Chapter 5 - Rudra-Śiva in the Purāṇic Literature]
3. Weapons of Śiva < [Chapter 5 - Rudra-Śiva in the Purāṇic Literature]
5. Protective or benevolent activities of Śiva < [Chapter 5 - Rudra-Śiva in the Purāṇic Literature]
The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram) (by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy)
Chapter 2.3 - Partha-anugraha-murti (depiction of the story of Arjuna) < [Volume 2 - Nampi Arurar and Mythology]
Chapter 36 - Thirupazhamannipadikkarai or Tiruppalamannippatikkarai (Hymn 22) < [Volume 3.4 - Pilgrim’s progress: with Paravai]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Lakulisha-Pashupata (Philosophy and Practice) (by Geetika Kaw Kher)
Early Textual References < [Chapter 1 - The Historical Context]
Later Chola Temples (by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam)
Temples in Tiruppulivanam < [Chapter II - Temples of Kulottunga I’s Time]