Vijaya (bow)
| Vijaya | |
|---|---|
 Relief of Karna wielding the Vijaya against Arjuna | |
| Affiliation | Parashurama Karna |
| Texts | Brahmanda Purana Mahabharata |
Vijaya (Sanskrit: विजय, lit. 'Victory'), also called Vijaya Dhanusha (lit. 'Vijaya bow'), is a divine bow in Hindu tradition. It ensures victory to whoever wields this weapon but the wielder should possess prodigious talent.[1] The bow was created by Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods, for Lord Shiva.
Legend
[edit]The bow Vijaya was specially made by Vishvakarma for Lord Shiva, when he was waging a war on Tripura Asuras.
Mahabharata
[edit]The Mahabharata discusses how the ownership of the bow was passed on to Karna:[2]
My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to Bhrigu's son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of bows Bhrigu's son gave to me. With that bow I will contend in battle with the mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas. That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva. It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by Bhrigu's son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend in battle with the son of Pandu. I will, O Duryodhana, gladden thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz., Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors.
— Attributed to Vyasa, Mahabharata
According to the Mahabharata, Parashurama took on Karna as his student. Karna deceived him by falsely claiming to be a Brahmin out of shame for being from a lower caste. After finding out the truth, Parashurama cursed him such that all the knowledge that he obtained by cheating would forsake him in the battlefield in front of his arch enemy. But Karna never used it, as he was very confident that he could secure victory without it[clarify], but this proved to be his biggest act of foolishness, as every time he faced Arjuna, he would only be defeated. Realizing that he was no match for Arjuna, Karna decided that he would only use Vijaya in the Kurukshetra war, on the 17th day, when he was fighting against Arjuna, as it was a life-or-death battle for him.[3] But even with this bow, he was not able to prevail over Arjuna, and one of his wheels suddenly got stuck as a result of the curse, so he had to lift the wheel. Out of fear for his life, he started to make defensive speeches to Arjuna in which he stated that one should not attack a defenseless warrior, for which Krishna chided him. After Krishna informed him of the various unforgivable heinous sins committed by Karna, Arjuna invoked the Anjalikastra from the Gandiva and beheaded him. Thus the sinful life of Karna came to an end.
Significance
[edit]It was created by Vishwakarma for Lord Shiva at the onslaught of Tripura Asuras.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Bane, Theresa (29 May 2020). Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3920-8.
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Bhagwat Yana Parva: Section CLIX". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 31". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.