Bot at 19:33, 27 October 2022

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{{Other uses|Chandrahasa}}{{Short description|Hindu mythological sword}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Ramayana]]'', the '''Chandrahasa''' is an indestructible sword that [[Lord Shiva|Shiva]] gifts [[Ravana]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bennett |first1=James |title=Beneath the Winds: Masterpieces of Southeast Asian Art from the Art Gallery of South Australia |date=7 June 2017 |publisher=Art Gallery of South Australia |location=Australia |isbn=978-1921668074 |pages=251 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DvbcshlOzYIC&q=%22once+gifted+to+Ravana+by+the+god+Siva%22}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cakrabartī |first1=Bishṇupada |title=The Penguin Companion to the Ramayana |date=24 July 2008 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0143100461 |page=91 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FCAqAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Shiva+gave+him+a+very+powerful+scimitar+called+Chandrahas.%22 |accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Social |first1=Daily |title=12 Of The Most Powerful Divine Weapons From Hindu Mythology |url=https://daily.social/12-most-powerful-divine-weapons-from-hindu-mythology/ |website=Daily Social |accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chandrahas |url=http://www.cleandungeon.com/article/607/Chandrahas.html |website=cleandungeon |accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref>

According to local folklore, it is also believed that this sword was given to [[Shivaji]] by the goddess [[Bhavani]] in [[Tulja Bhavani Temple]] to fight the evil kings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tuljapur: Abode of the Goddess|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/traveller/ot-getaway-guides/tuljapur-abode-goddess/|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Outlook Traveller|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Ravana lifting Mount Kailash ==
{{Main|Ravananugraha}}
The ''Uttara Kanda'' of the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Ramayana]]'' records that the ten-headed, twenty-armed mighty King Ravana defeated and looted [[Alaka]] – the city of his step-brother and god of wealth [[Kubera]], situated near [[Mount Kailash]]. After the victory, Ravana was returning to Lanka in the ''[[Vimana#Ramayana|Pushpaka Vimana]]'' (the flying chariot that his father in law made for him), when he spotted a beautiful place. However, the chariot could not fly over it. Ravana met Shiva's demigod-bull attendant [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]] (Nandisha, Nandikeshwara) at the place and asked the reason behind his chariot's inability to pass over the place. Nandi informed Ravana that [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]] were enjoying a dalliance on the mountain, and that no one was allowed to pass. Ravana mocked Nandi. Enraged by the insult, Nandi cursed Ravana that [[Vanara|monkeys]] would destroy him. In turn, Ravana decided to uproot Kailash, infuriated by Nandi's curse and his inability to proceed further. He put all his twenty arms under Kailash and started lifting it. As Kailash began to shake, a terrified Parvati embraced Shiva. However, the omniscient Shiva realized that Ravana was behind the menace, and pressed the mountain into place with his big toe, trapping Ravana beneath it. Ravana gave a loud cry in pain. Realizing his mistake, Ravana sang hymns in praise of Shiva for a thousand years. Finally, Shiva not only forgave Ravana, but also granted him the invincible sword, Chandrahasa.<ref>Rao pp.217–8</ref><ref>Kala pp.37–8</ref>

==Bhavani Talvar==
[[Image:GodessBhavani&Shivaji.jpg|thumb|160px|Goddess Tulja giving the Chandrahasa sword to Shivaji at [[Tuljapur]].]]
[[Shivaji]], the powerful ruler of the [[Maratha Empire]], used to go to the [[Tulja Bhavani Temple]] to seek blessing throughout his conquests. According to local tradition, on one occasion, when Shivaji prayed to the goddess [[Bhavani|Tulja]] for victory in a battle against the [[Mughal Empire]], the goddess appeared and gave him the Chandrahasa sword, after which the goddess disappeared. The sword, when used, made Shivaji successful in all his conquests against his rivals.{{cn|date=May 2022}} The sword is now called the ''Bhavani Talvar'' or the ''Bhavani Khadga,'' literally meaning. '<nowiki/>''The sword of Bhavani'''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shanker|first=C. R. Gowri|date=2016-07-03|title=The temple which Bhavani left: Tulja Bhavani temple|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/030716/hyderabad-the-temple-which-bhavani-left.html|access-date=2021-11-07|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>

==Popular culture==
[[Bengalis|Bengali]] writer Sourav Chakrabory wrote a [[dark fantasy]] novel named ''Chandrahas''. The novel is based on the myth of the sword Chandrahasa and [[human sacrifice]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chandrahas|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/78081911-chandrahas|access-date=2021-05-09|website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Ramayana]]
[[Category:Weapons in Hindu mythology]]

Chandrahas - Revision history

Bot at 19:33, 27 October 2022