Asi (Mahabharata)

Asi appears as a proper name as the personification of the first weapon ever created according to Hindu epics. A legend concerning Asi appears in the Shantiparva section of Mahabharata.[1] The common term for sword in Classical Sanskrit is khaḍga and khanda in Hindi. In Rigvedic Sanskrit Asi is still used as a term for a kind of sacrificial dagger or knife.

Frame narrative

Out of curiosity Nakula, the fourth son of Pandu and the master of swordsmanship questioned the Kuru Grandsire Bhishma on his arrow death bed as to which was the best weapon in all kinds of fighting. In his own personal views Nakula thought the sword to be the most superior since even on having lost one's bow, horse and the chariot, a skilful swordsman could still defend himself against the mace and spear wielders. Nakula further queried the Grand-sire about the origin and purpose of the Khadga as well as about its first acharya ("teacher, preceptor").

Gladdened by these intelligent queries by Nakula, Bhishma related to him the complete Itihaasa (Sanskrit term for 'History') of the Khadga or "divine sword" starting from its creation down to the present.

Creation of Asi

The Devas approached Brahma the creator of the universe in ancient time and protested against the unjust rule and evil doings of the demons (Danavas namely Asura's who belonged to an evil human race with giant build). Hearing the protest from the Gods, Brahma collected sacrificial objects and proceeded to perform a grand sacrifice with the foremost of the Rishis and Devas at the side of Himalaya.

During the course of the sacrifice, a dreadful creature sprang from the midst of the sacrificial fires scattering flames all around. It was as though a moon had arisen in the midst of the stars. He was coloured like a deep-blue lotus. His teeth were sharp and terrible, stomach lean and skinny and stature very tall and slim. He was of exceeding energy and power. Simultaneously the earth started shaking, there were turmoils in the oceans, the forceful winds started howling all around, the trees started falling and being torn apart and the meteors started blazing through the skies, Brahma declared

“ The 'being' I have conceived is Asi. It shall effect the destruction of the enemies of the gods and restore the Dharma ”

Upon this, the creature assumed the form of a blazing sharp-edged sword, glowing like flames. This sword was the primordial weapon created by the Gods for the destruction of evil. The name of the sword was Asi, the personification and the primary energy behind all weapons ever created. As per Bhishma, the constellation under which the sword was born is Krittika, Agni is its deity, Rohini is its Gotra, Rudra is its high preceptor and whoever holds this weapon obtains sure victory.[1]

Succession of wielders of Asi

Lord Brahma gave that sword to Lord Shiva and requested him to put down the sinners and evil-doers and restore the Dharma (righteousness). Lord Shiva assuming his terrible form, took up the sword and started the war against the Danava's, the enemies of the Deva's. The earth became miry with flesh and blood of Daityas and he destroyed the entire community of Daityas.

Lord Shiva gave the sword to Lord Vishnu. On course of time Vishnu gave it to Marichi, Marichi gave it to all the great Rishis. The latter gave it to Vasava. Vasava gave it to the Regents of the world. The Regents gave that sword to Manu the son of Surya. In time Manu installed his own son Kshupa in the sovereignty of all creatures and gave him the sword for their protection. From Kshupa it was taken by Ikshvaku and from Ikshvaku by Pururavas. From Pururavas it was taken by Ayus and from Ayus by Nahusha. From Nahusha it was taken by Yayati and from Yayati by Puru. From Puru it was taken by Amurtarya. From Amurtarya it descended to Bhumisaya. From Bhumisaya it was taken by Dushyanta's son Bharata. From Bharata it was taken by the righteous Ailavila. From Ailavila it was taken by king Dhundumara. From Dhundumara it was taken by Kamvoja,and from Kamvoja it was taken by Muchukunda, from Muchukunda it was taken by Marutta and from Marutta by Raivata. From Raivata it was taken by Yuvanaswa and from Yuvanaswa by Raghu. From Raghu it was taken by Harinaswa. From Harinaswa the sword was taken by Sunaka and from Sunaka by the righteous-souled Usinara. From the last it was taken by the Bhojas and the Yadus. From the Yadus it was taken by Sivi. From Sivi it descended to Pratardana of Kashi . From Pratardana it was received by Ashtaka and from Ashtaka by Prishadaswa. From Prishadaswa it was received by Bharadvaja and from Bharadvaja his son Drona obtained this weapon. Drona used this weapon in the famous Kurukshetra war descirbed in the epic Mahabharata. Drona become unconquerable in Kurukshetra war because he held this primordial weapon.

After the death of Drona it was taken by Kripacharya. Kripacharya gifted this sword to Nakula and from Nakula it went to Parikshit and from Parikshit it went to Janamejaya. From Janamejaya it went to his son Satanika. Satanika, who studied the Vedas under Yajnyawalkya and military science from Kripacharya become dissatisfied with sensual enjoyments and obtained spiritual knowledge from the instructions of Saunaka and ultimately obtained salvation. The sword again went back to Kripacharya for safe keeping till the return of the rightful owner of this weapon, Dronacharya's son Ashwatthama.

References

  1. 1 2 "Sword of Drona". Retrieved 13 May 2016.
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