The Weapons given by Viswamitra 1.27.24-28, 1.28.2
Two maces called Modaki and Sikhari, two weapons called Asani and Aradra; Pinakam a weapon belonging to Pinaka dear to Agni, Prathama and Kankala etc., weapons wielded by demons, Vaidhyadharam, jewel of a sword called Nandana out of which swords arose; Prasamana, a weapon which would put out anger of the foes, Madana that would cause infatuation in foes, Musala, a mace used by demons-all these were received by Rama. They are called a collection of mantras because they are bound by mantras. The weapons derived their strength from the recitation of mantras. Even Bala and Atibala were conceived with the collection of mantras. The expression ‘take them’ used by Viswamitra implies that the two weapons Bala and Atibala which are useful only at the appropriate time are being given now. As far as the other weapons are concerned it was left to the discretion of Rama in the opinion of Kataka. Actually Bala and Atibala represent only a collection of mantras and, therefore, termed as mantragrama.
Viswamitra gave the weapons to Rama and Lakshmana. It should be noted that both of them were taught simultaneously. ‘Japatah’ means as Rama was repeating the mantras the deities of the weapons stood around him in a circle. The deities of all the weapons were quite were happy that they were with Rama.
The commentator opines that although Rama had known everything, learning through the preaching of a preceptor alone yields results. While Rama knows the use of the collection of weapons, being not qualified to use them and being also too young to handle them, there was in him a desire to know about them. Rama wanted to secure it, for it had been already used by the repetition of mantras.
The Weapons given by Viswamitra 1.27.24-28, 1.28.2
Two maces called Modaki and Sikhari, two weapons called Asani and Aradra; Pinakam a weapon belonging to Pinaka dear to Agni, Prathama and Kankala etc., weapons wielded by demons, Vaidhyadharam, jewel of a sword called Nandana out of which swords arose; Prasamana, a weapon which would put out anger of the foes, Madana that would cause infatuation in foes, Musala, a mace used by demons-all these were received by Rama. They are called a collection of mantras because they are bound by mantras. The weapons derived their strength from the recitation of mantras. Even Bala and Atibala were conceived with the collection of mantras. The expression ‘take them’ used by Viswamitra implies that the two weapons Bala and Atibala which are useful only at the appropriate time are being given now. As far as the other weapons are concerned it was left to the discretion of Rama in the opinion of Kataka. Actually Bala and Atibala represent only a collection of mantras and, therefore, termed as mantragrama.
Viswamitra gave the weapons to Rama and Lakshmana. It should be noted that both of them were taught simultaneously. ‘Japatah’ means as Rama was repeating the mantras the deities of the weapons stood around him in a circle. The deities of all the weapons were quite were happy that they were with Rama.
The commentator opines that although Rama had known everything, learning through the preaching of a preceptor alone yields results. While Rama knows the use of the collection of weapons, being not qualified to use them and being also too young to handle them, there was in him a desire to know about them. Rama wanted to secure it, for it had been already used by the repetition of mantras.