Sammohana Astra: The Divine Weapon of Losing Senses in Mahabharata

The ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata is replete with descriptions of powerful Astras or divine weapons used by warriors and gods. Among these, the Sammohana Astra stands out for its unique effect of causing the enemy to lose their senses.

What is Sammohana Astra?

Also known as the 'Weapon of Dizziness', the Sammohana Astra is a divine weapon of Lord Kama (the god of love). Unlike the more conventional weapons that serve to kill, the main objective of this weapon is to incapacitate the enemy by causing them to lose their senses. This weapon primarily works effectively against those enemies who cannot control their senses.

The renowned Panchajanya's arrows, the five sacred weapons of Lord Krishna, include the Sammohana Astra. In the hands of Arjuna, the dextrous and invincible hero of the Mahabharata, it became a potent weapon during the illustrious Virata War.

Sammohana Astra in War: Virata and Kurukshetra

The epic narrative highlights the use of the Sammohana Astra during the renowned battle of Virata. Arjuna, armed with the Gandiva bow, engaged in fierce combat with the Kuru warriors, led by so-called 'bulls among the Kurus'. To counter their weapons, Arjuna introduced the Sammohana Astra. This weapon was unyielding, uncannily altering the battlefield dynamics:

The wielder of the Gandiva used weapons to counter the weapons of the bulls among the Kurus. The destroyer of enemies then made the weapon named sammohana appear. This was impossible to counter. He covered all the directions and all the smaller directions with sharp arrows that had fine tips and fine shafts. With the roar of the Gandiva, the immensely strong one struck terror in their minds.

On the 6th day of the Kurukshetra war, Dhrishtadyumna employed the Sammohana Astra against the Kaurava army, rendering them unconscious. However, the mighty warrior Drona used his Prajna Astra to counter the effects of Sammohana, thereby negating any hostile impact.

Range and Effectivity of Sammohana Astra

The Sammohana Astra was specifically designed to incapacitate large numbers of enemies, typically entire armies, by putting them in a trance or making them fall unconscious. Its effectiveness makes it an invaluable weapon in the hands of a skilled warrior like Arjuna. However, its potency is not absolute, as Bhishma, a revered and revered warrior, was immune to its effects during the Virata War.

Countering Sammohana Astra

The Sammohana Astra can be countered by another divine weapon called the Prajna Astra. Additionally, this weapon is not highly effective against highly skilled warriors such as Maharathis and Atimaharathis, who possess exceptional control over their senses and physical prowess.

Impact and Aftermath

Once the Sammohana Astra is released, it can cause unconsciousness to the target enemies, ranging from several minutes to hours, depending on the mantra or incantation used by the shooter. During a significant battle in the Virata Parva, Arjuna's use of this weapon left the Kaurava army unconscious. He then instructed UATALOG - [Request for Rewriting] A detailed plan needs to be maintained due to character limitations. Please allow continuation for this sentence.utos Kumara on collecting the weapons and treading in the midst of the unconscious soldiers, except for Bheeshma, to honor his fallen warriors.

Further Exploration

For those interested in a more detailed exploration of these divine weapons, you may refer to the insightful answers provided by Vijay Kant Thakur on the most powerful Astras used in the Mahabharata Yudha:

Which Astras are the most powerful Astras used in Mahabharata Yudha?

We hope you enjoyed this exposition on the mystic forces and weaponry of the Mahabharata with the Sammohana Astra playing a crucial role in this grand epic. Please consider upvoting and sharing this insightful content.