Hindu mythological wars

• Padma Vyuha or the Chakravyuha: A winding, ever-rotating circular formation; considered impenetrable in the Mahabharata by all warriors except for Krishna, Arjuna, Drona, Pradyumna, and Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu had learnt how to break into the formation (in the womb of Subhadra) but not how to break out of it and is trapped inside during the Mahabharata war.
• Krauncha Vyuha: The crane-shaped formation of an army; forces are distributed to form spanning wing-sides, with a formidable penetrating centre, depicting the crane's head and beak.
• Sarpa Vyuha: Winding Snake Formation
• Makara Vyuha: Crocodile Formation
• Sakata Vyuha: Cart Formation
• Shukar Vyuha: Pig Formation
• Vajra Vyuha: Thunderbolt formation, the toughest and most difficult after Chakravyuha.
• Kurma Vyuha: Turtle formation
• Garuda Vyuha: Eagle formation
• Suchi Vyuha: Needle formation
• Simha Vyuha: Lion formation

• The end of the world is prophesied to happen at the end of the Kali Yuga - the final stage of the world, and the last of the four stages. Kalki, the final Avatar of Vishnu is also prophesied to appear the end of the Kali Yuga, to wage the final battle between good and evil bringing end of the world and start of new world. [8]
• Shiva Nataraja, the Destroyer, kills the paramount demon of Ego and performs the Tandava Nritya (The Dance of Tandava) on his back, ending with the destruction of the universe performing Rudra Tandava.
• In Shaktism, the mystical dance by Goddess Kali (the terrifying form of Parvathi, Shiva's consort), that is, dark energy for destroying all forms of matter, materials, beings, and illusions, which are absorbed within herself i.e. the Supreme Brahman.

The epic story of Ramayana was adopted by several cultures across Asia. Shown here is a Thai historic artwork depicting the battle which took place between Rama and Ravana.

• Vishvamitra : He was the preceptor of Rama and Lakshmana, a powerful tapasvi and Brahmarishi.[9] He bestows the knowledge of all divine weaponry to Rama and Lakshmana, leads them to kill powerful demons, and instructs them in religion and military arts.
• Rama : He was 7th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Rama was an extremely powerful warrior and had knowledge of usage of many celestial astras. Rama single-handedly slayed the 14,000 demon hordes of Khara (in one hour, in the Ramayana), the demons Maricha and Subahu, Ravana's chief commander Prahasta and is responsible for the ultimate killing of Ravana himself.
• Lakshmana : He was also very powerful like his brother. He was incarnation of Anantha-Seshanag. He controlled his sleep for 14 continuous years and slayed extremely powerful demons including Atikaya and Indrajit.
• Hanuman : He was son of Kesari and Anjana. He was one of the Rudras of Shiva. He was first trained by Sun god Surya and later Shiva himself mentored him. Later he became Vanara minister of Sugriva. He is the greatest devotee of Rama, famous for his unerring service, absolute loyalty and great feats of courage. Hanuman is responsible for killing many demons, as well as burning the city of Lanka. His strength is given by his father Vayu, and by virtue of the boons bestowed on him by various Gods, no astra and weapon could harm him. He can transform into any size and shape as he desired. He was also well expert in using celestial astras. He also possessed Mohini astra, Rudra astra etc.
• Ravana: blessed by his fearsome 10,000 year tapasya to be the most powerful being on earth, invulnerable to every God, demon and living being, save man. Although an expert on the Vedas, a great king, and a great devotee of Shiva, he is the emperor of evil due to his patronage of demons, murder of kings and humiliation of the Gods headed by Indra.
• Indrajit : He was first-born son of mighty Ravana. Originally his name was Meghanada. He was master of illusion war techniques. He became the possessor of several supreme celestial weapons. Through penance, he obtained a boon from Brahma : he could be killed by a common man who could control his sleep for 12 years continuously. He defeated Indra and arrested him. Then Brahma appeared and asked him to free Indra. Meghanada did as Brahma directed and was then granted boon : he would never be killed in any battle, until his Yagna (fire-worship) of his native goddess Nikumbala was disturbed and destroyed. On the completion of the Yagna, a supreme celestial chariot would appear, boarding which, Indrajit would become unkilled in any battle. But Brahma also cautioned him that whosoever would destroy this yagna, would also kill him. He was killed by Lakshmana.
• Kumbhakarna: the gigantic brother of Ravana was a fearsome monster-demon who sleeps for six months at a stretch, rising for only one day and then returning to his slumber. Kumbhakarna could slay hundreds of warriors by the sweep of his hand or step of his foot. He was killed by Rama in the war.[10]
• Prahasta: the chief commander of Lanka's army who was killed on the 1st day of the war of Rama and Ravana.
• Atikaya: the second son of Ravana, who had an indestructible armor given to him by Brahma that can only be pierce by the Brahmastra. Once he caught Shiva trident in Mount Kailash when Shiva was angry with him. Both Atikaya and his cousin Trishira were the reincarnations of Madhu and Kaitabha, who were defeated by Mahavishnu.
• Akshayakumara: the youngest son of Ravana who died, fighting Hanuman in Ashok Vatika.
• Shatrughna: Youngest son of King Dasharatha, youngest brother of Rama. He killed Lavana, son of Madhu and Kumbhini (a sister of Ravana) and became the King of Mathura.
• Bharata: Younger brother of Rama, elder to Lakshmana and Shatrugna. He along with his maternal uncle Yudhajit, conquered Gandhara and created his kingdom of Takshasila and Pushkalavati by defeating Gandharvas and inhabiting that kingdom.
• Vali: Son of Vanara king Vriksharaja, spiritual son of King of Gods- Indra. Vali was invincible in Treta Yuga. Vali defeated some of the greatest warriors like Ravana. Vali was blessed with the ability to obtain half the strength of his opponent before which he already had strength of 70,000 elephants. Hence, Rama killed Vali by hiding behind the trees.

Atirathis:

• Akampana
• Kampana
• Devanataka
• Narantaka
• Akshayakumara
• Ahiravana
• Kumbha
• Nikumbha
• All younger sons of Ravana

Maharathis:

• Laxmana
• Ravana
• Kumbhakarna
• Atikaya
• Jambavan
• Sugriva
• Angada
• Bharata
• Shatrugna

Atimaharathis:

• Rama
• Indrajit
• Hanuman

• Kuru Army: of 11 Akshauhinis is formed by the kingdom of Hastinapura in alliance with races like the Samshaptakas, Trigartas, the Narayana army, the Sindhu army and Madra.
  • Commanders in Chief: Bhishma, Drona, Karna and Ashwathama.
  • Rathis: Duryodhana (8 Rathi), Somadatta, Sudakshina, Shakuni, Jayadratha, Dussasana, Vikarna, 97 Kauravas, Duryodhana's son Lakshmana and Dussasana's son Durjaya were Rathi warriors.
  • Atirathis: Kritavarma, Kripacharya, Shalya, Bhurisravas, Brihadbala, Susharma.
  • Maharathis: Bhishma, Drona, Ashwathama, Bhagadatta, Karna.
• Pandava Army: is a coalition of 7 Akshauhinis, primarily the Panchala and Matsya forces, the Rakshasa forces of Bhima's son, and Vrishni-Yadava heroes.
  • Commander in Chief: Dhristadyumna
  • Rathis: Uttamaujas, Shikhandi, Yuyutsu, Uttar and Upapandavas
  • Atirathis: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, Kuntibhoja, Satyaki, Drupada Dhristadyumna, Ghatotkacha.
  • Maharathis: Bhima, Abhimanyu.
  • Atimaharathi: Arjuna
• Abhimanyu: He was legendary archer and was a super warrior like his father, Arjuna. On the 13th day of war, he entered Chakravyuha and was unfairly killed by multiple Kaurava warriors.[11]
• Arjuna: He was the son of Indra. He was the best archer and greatest warrior in Mahabharata. He defeated great warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Kripa many times but never got defeated by any of them through out his life. He performed incredible feats like defeating Gandharva King Chitrasena & Nivatakavachas (whom Ravana and Indrajit together failed to defeat and made truce). In the Mahabharata, only Shiva had the ability to beat Arjuna in battle.
• Ashwatthama: the son of Drona, one of the eight Chiranjeevis . He is a great warrior. Ashwathama and Kripa are considered to be the lone survivors still living who actually fought in the Kurukshetra war. Ashwathama was born with a gem in his forehead which gives him power over all living beings lower than humans. This gem is supposed to protect him from attacks by ghosts, demons, poisonous insects, snakes, animals etc.
• Bhima: The 2nd most physically strong character in the Mahabharata after Hanuman. Bhima had phenomenal personal strength, he is also known for killing many powerful kings and demons like Jarasandh, Kirmira, Bakasura, Hidimb, Jatasura, Kichaka, and wrestler Jimut, he was an unsurpassed master of the mace weapon and a consummate wrestler. He slays all of the one hundred Kuru brothers including the chief antagonist of the epic, Duryodhana.
• Duryodhana: He was a skilled warrior with mace in the Mahabharata war. The only men who could beat him in a mace fight was Bhima, Arjuna and Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.
• Dussasana: Younger brother of Duryodhana who assaulted Draupadi in the Game of Dice. He was known to be an aggressive warrior but was brutally slain by Bhima on 16th day of Kurukshetra war.
• Bhishma: the most consummate warrior trained by Parashurama, Bhishma was indestructible by any warrior (except Lord Parshurama, Lord Krishna, Lord Balrama, Arjuna and Abhimanyu) when he lifts his weapons. Having countered all the kings of the earth, he is the Commander in Chief of the Kuru Army.
• Drona: the guru of the Kauravas and Pandavas, Drona is a great master of Vedic military arts and almost every celestial weapon. He is invulnerable to any attack (except to Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Krishna and Balarama) till he holds a weapon of any sort. He also has great religious knowledge and wisdom. He becomes the second Kuru commander, and Arjuna was his favorite student.
• Karna: the son of Surya and first born of Kunti who shunned him due to her being the mother of the Pandavas. Karna was born with Kavacha Kundala (divine armor) which he donated to Indra just before war. Karna was taught by Parashurama in warfare. Karna was one of the great warriors in the Mahabharata. He was defeated and killed by Arjuna on 17th day of the Kurukshetra war.
• Nakula: the fourth brother of the Pandavas. It is said that he was the most handsome man in the world. He was an expert in the art of sword warfare. He was also greatly associated with horses. During the Kurukshetra war, he was the one who killed most of the offspring of all the Kauravas.
• Sahadeva: the fifth brother of the Pandavas. He was an expert in the art of axe warfare. He was also greatly associated with sheep, insects. During the Kurukshetra war, he killed Shakuni.

• Mahamaharathi: A warrior capable of fighting 24 Atimaharathi class warriors or 207,360,000 warriors simultaneously. They are the most supreme warriors and are invincible. This includes Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti, Ayyappan, Murugan, Vinayagar and Panchmukhi Hanuman.

• Atimaharathi: A warrior capable of fighting 12 Maharathi class warriors or 8,640,000 warriors simultaneously; circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills; expert in designing and destroying all strategies (vyuhas); able to fight against all illusions and win against opponents in such situations.Indrajit Hanuman, Rama, Krishna and Arjuna are considered as Atimaharathis. Different forms of Lord Shiva are also Atimaharthis. Veerabhadra, Bhairava etc. fall under this category. Incarnations and avatars of Lord Vishnu are generally considered as Atimaharathis.

• Maharathi: A warrior capable of fighting 12 Atirathi class warriors or 720,000 warriors simultaneously, circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills , Abhimanyu, Vali, Babruvahana, Alambusha, Angada, Ashwatthama, Atikaya, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Kumbhakarna, Sugriva, Ravana, Bhagadatta, Karna, Narakasura, Ghatotkacha (night), Iravan, Lakshmana, Balarama, Trishira, Prahasta, Bharata, Shatrughna, Parashurama etc. were Maharathis.

• Atirathi: A warrior capable of contending with 12 Rathi class warriors or 60,000 warriors simultaneously, circumspect in his mastery of all forms of weapons and combat skills. Lava, Jarasandha, Kusha, Kritavarma, Bhima, Shalya, Bhurisravas, Drupada, Akampana, Vibheeshana, Ghatotkacha, Jambavan, Satyaki, Kuntibhoja, Devantaka, Narantaka, Mahi Ravana, Keechaka, Rukmi, Susharma, Bahlika, Brihadbala, Pushkal, Samba and Pradyumna etc. were Atirathis.

• Rathi : A warrior capable of contending with 5,000 warriors simultaneously. All Kauravas, Shakuni, Yudhishtira, Nakula, Sahadeva, Matsya King Virata, Uttar, Drishtaketu, Jayadratha, Shikhandi and all Upapandavas were rathis.

An Astra is a power, weapon, missile that is to be hurled at an enemy. Generally astra is in form of an arrow. Astras can be invoked using incantations (mantras). Different astras have different power. A Shastra is a personal weapon like swords, bows, spades, axes, spears and maces which must be constantly operated by a warrior.

• Brahmastra: Embedded with the mystical force of Brahma, this weapon releases millions of missiles, great fires and a destructive potential capable of extinguishing all creation, if not used by and aimed only at a celestial fighter. It was used multiple times in the Ramayana, Indrajit used it against Hanuman, Lakshmana asked permission to use it against Indrajit, which Rama declined, Lakshmana used it to kill Atikaya, Rama used it as final arrow to kill Ravana. In the epic the Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the single head of Brahma as its tip. In the Mahabharata era Parashurama, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Arjuna, Yudhishtira and many Maharathis possessed the knowledge to invoke this missile.
• Brahmashirsha astra: A weapon capable of greater destruction than the Brahmastra. It can burn all creation to ashes once discharged, Arjuna and Ashwathama both used it against each other after the Mahabharata war. Capable of killing even heavens. Was used by Ashwatthama on Parikshit. It is thought that the Brahmashirsha is the evolution of the Brahmastra, 4 times stronger than Brahmastra. "It blazes up with terrible flames within a huge sphere of fire. Numerous peals of thunder were heard, thousands of meteors fell and all living creatures became terrified with great dread. The entire sky seemed to be filled with noise and assumed a terrible aspect with flames of fire. The whole earth with her mountains and waters and trees trembled." When it strikes an area it will cause complete destruction and nothing will ever grow, not even a blade of grass for the next 12 years. It will not rain for 12 years in that area and everything including metal and earth becomes poisoned.[19] In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the four heads of Brahma as its tip. In the Mahabharata, Agnivesha, Drona, Ashwatthama, Arjuna possessed the knowledge to invoke this weapon.
• Brahmanda astra: This is the most powerful weapon of Brahma. It was first used by sage Vashishtha against Vishwamitra's (who was King Vishwarath at that time) Brahmashirsha, as only Brahmanda astra can stop Brahmashirsha astra, it was also used by sage Piplad against Shani to avenge his father's death.In the epic Mahabharata, it is said that the weapon manifest with the all five heads of Brahma as its tip.Brahma earlier lost his fifth head when he fought with Siva.This weapon is said to possess the power to destroy entire solar system or brahmand, the 14 realms according to Hindu cosmology. In some texts it is called Brahma-dhanda astra, the weapon created by Saptarishi's to counter any weapon ever created, even that of Trimurti's. The rishi of this weapon is Para Brahman. It is stated to be the most difficult astra to obtain. Capable of destroying entire universe in a blink of an eye. Vishvamitra used all kinds of divine weapons against sage Vashistha, even Pashupatastra, but the Brahma-dhanda astra of Vashistha neutralized and swallowed all astra (weapon) of Vishwamitra proving that Brahma-dhanda astra is the most powerful of all astras.[20]
• Pashupatastra: In Hinduism, it is considered that Pashupatastra is the most devastating weapon, as it is the weapon of the consort of the God head Mahadeva, i.e. Mahakali. Mahadeva literally means "Highest of all gods" and Mahakali means "Goddess who is beyond time". This weapon was granted to Arjuna by Shiva. It is the most destructive and foreboding weapon in the Mahabharata. It was first used by Shiva for the destruction of tripura. It is capable of destroying entire multiverse. In the Ramayana, Vishvamitra possessed this mighty weapon. In the Mahabharata, only Arjuna possessed this weapon.
• Narayanastra: Invincible and painful, this astra is unconquerable except by total submission, this astra was used by Krishna against Shiva, when Shiva was fighting on behalf of the evil Banasura, when Shiva charged his personal Pashupatastra on Krishna, Krishna used this to make Shiva fall asleep, allowing him to move past him and cut off Banasura's arms but at the request of Shiva does not kill Banasura.
• Vaishnavastra : One of the most powerful astras, this cannot be stopped by anyone except its creator, Vishnu. Vaishnavastra is the most powerful astra in the universe along with the Narayanastra. The personal missile weapon of Krishna, once fired it cannot be thwarted by any means, save by the will of Vishnu Himself. Krishna gave this astra to his cousin Arjuna. Rama, Krishna, Arjuna possessed this weapon.

11th-century statue of Shiva performing the dance of destruction.

• Nagastra: The snake weapon used by Indrajit against Rama and Lakshmana, used by Karna against Arjuna.
• Nagapasham: is the celestial weapon equal to Nagastra".
• Garudastra:The eagle weapon to counter against the Nagastra.
• Anjalikastra: The personal weapon of Indra. This is the astra used by Arjuna to slay Karna in the Mahabharata war.
• Ramabanam (Ramastra): Created by Ram, and is used to kill the Ravana in Ramayana. It cannot be countered by any weapon and could not be stopped by anyone except Rama.
• Bhargavastra: this is the astra created by Parahsurama, he gave it to Karna in the Mahabharata.
• Parvatastra: one of the most dangerous weapon, once it used mountains from sky fall in to the earth.
• Vasavi Shakti: The magical dart weapon of Indra, unfailing at executing its target. Indra granted it to Karna during the Kurukshetra war, in Mahabharata it was used by karna to kill Ghatotkacha.
• Vajra: The thunderbolt weapon of Indra, who is the God of thunder and lightning, akin to Zeus and Jupiter.,[21] In, the Rigveda, it is stated that it was fashioned by Tvashtar.[22] In the Puranas, the vajra stated to be made from the bones of sage Dadhichi. In all versions, it was used by Indra to slay serpent called Vritra. In the Mahabharata, Indra gave the Vajra to his son Arjuna. Apart from Indra, only Arjuna possessed it.
• Agneyastra: The fire weapon, created by Agni, god of fire
• Varunastra: The water weapon, created by Varuna, god of the oceans
• Vayavastra: The wind weapon, created by Vayu
• Samvarta: Weapon belonging to Yama used by Bharata to annihilate thirty million Gandharvas in a moment, tearing them to pieces.
• Sammohanastra: Would cause entire hosts/armies to collapse in a trance. It was used in the Mahabharata by Arjuna to collapse the entire army of Kuru Maharathis including Duryodhan, Drona, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Dushasana, and Karna.
• Twashtastra: When used against a group of opponents (such as an army), would cause them to mistake each other for enemies and fight each other.
• Sooryastra: Create a dazzling light that would dispel any darkness about and dry up water bodies.
• Sabda vedastra: This weapon prevents an opponent from turning invisible. Used by Arjuna against the Gandharva king Chitrasena.
• Gandharvastra: Created by Gandharva King Chitrasena (who defeated the combined force of Duryodhan and made Karna flee the battlefield). He gave it to Arjuna.
• Mayastra: Dispel any form of maya or sorcery in the vicinity. It was possessed by Arjuna.
• Manavastra: Created by Manu, it could overcome supernatural protections and carry the target hundreds of miles away. Can inspire humane traits in an evil being. This weapon was used by Rama on Maricha.
• Bhaumastra: Created by Goddess Bhumi Devi, the weapon could create tunnels deep into the earth and summon jewels.
• Indrastra: Created by the God Indra, it would bring about a 'shower' of arrows from the sky.