Agastya Astradāna

The Agastya Astradāna is an episode in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa of the Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Agastya Muni welcomed Rāma at his āśrama in the Daṇḍakāraṇya and gave him four divine weapons. They were the Vaishṇava bow, an arrow of Brahmā that never runs out, two golden quivers of Indra that never run empty, and a golden sword of Indra. These weapons made Rāma ready for the battles ahead, above all the destruction of Khara’s forces at Janasthāna. Agastya also told Rāma to settle at Pañchavaṭī on the Godāvarī.

The visit to Agastya’s āśrama

Rāma had met Sutīkshṇa and Māṇḍakarṇi. He then went on to the āśrama of Agastya Muni. Agastya is one of the greatest ṛshis of his age. He is known for destroying the rākshasas Vātāpi and Ilvala, for drinking the ocean, and for bringing down the Vindhya mountain. Agastya welcomed Rāma, Sītā and Lakshmaṇa with deep respect and joy, and gave them the full hospitality of a great āśrama. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

The four divine weapons

After honouring his guests, Agastya made his great gift. These were four weapons that he had kept safe through the ages for Rāma’s task.

1. The Vaishṇava bow

Viśvakarmā, the divine builder, made this bow for Bhagavān Vishṇu himself. With this bow Bhagavān Vishṇu, in earlier ages of the world, did great deeds to protect the worlds. The bow then passed to Varuṇa, the deva of the waters, and from Varuṇa to Agastya. Agastya kept it in trust for the hour when Rāma would need it. Its divine making and its line of owners set it apart from every other weapon in the world. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

2. Brahmā’s inexhaustible arrow

Brahmā himself gave this arrow to Agastya to hand on to Rāma. It was made from the elements. Vāyu (wind) was in its notch. Agni (fire) and Sūrya (the sun) blazed at its tip. The weight of the mountains Meru and Mandara gave it its mass and force. Once let go, this arrow could not be turned aside, and its power had no limit. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

3. Two inexhaustible golden quivers

Indra had sent two golden quivers as part of the divine arms for Rāma. They were not ordinary quivers. They were akshaya (without end). However many arrows were drawn from them, they stayed full. In battle Rāma would never run out of arrows. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

4. A golden sword

Indra had also given a golden sword, to complete Rāma’s arms for the battles ahead. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

Agastya’s advice: settle at Pañchavaṭī

Besides the weapons, Agastya gave Rāma useful advice. He told Rāma to go to Pañchavaṭī, a beautiful place on the bank of the sacred river Godāvarī, a short way to the north. It was a good place for a forest āśrama. It was quiet and lovely, close to the river for water and bathing, and had good means to support the three of them. Rāma followed this advice and went to Pañchavaṭī, where he and Lakshmaṇa built their forest home. This is in the Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13.

Sources

• Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Āraṇya Kāṇḍa, Chapter 13