Aşţāyudha
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Jit Majumdar
Sometimes transliterated as: Asţayudha, AsţAyudha, Ashţaayudha
- the eight weapons
- a group of eight weapons (also called aşţavajra) that are used by eight of major divinities, namely: the triśūla (trident) of Śiva, the cakra (discus) of Vişņu, the akşa (rosary) of Brahmā, the Vajra (thunderbolt) of Indra, the pāşa (noose) of Varuņa, the danda (staff) of Yama, the śakti (spear/ lance) of Kārtikeya, and the asi or khaŕga (sword) of Durgā.