THE LIVING ARCHIVE
About Prasvapana Astra
Bhishma learns of the weapon through a dream in which eight radiant figures remind him of knowledge from an earlier existence. They associate it with the lord of creatures and the divine artificer. The account presents recollection, not the forging of a new physical object during the duel.
The promised effect is sleep rather than immediate death. A second weapon, Samvodhana, is named as the means by which Parashurama could be awakened afterward. This pairing distinguishes temporary incapacitation from killing while leaving a separate question about the propriety of using it.
More About Prasvapana Astra
Bhishma recalls the Prasvapa weapon during his encounter with Parashurama.
AT A GLANCE
Identity & Context
- Identity
- Astra
- Form
- Invoked divine weapon
- Tradition
- Epic / Puranic traditions
THE STORY
Origins & Stories
ROLE & ESSENCE
Attributes & Significance
Prasvapana’s main episode concerns a weapon that is prepared but not released. The promised sleep would give Bhishma a decisive advantage, and a separate waking weapon is named. Narada’s objection concerns the relationship between pupil and teacher, showing why a nonfatal method is still judged inappropriate.
Astra Class
Invoked celestial weapon
Associated Deity
Known Wielders
Invocation & Withdrawal
Epic accounts describe instruction, invocation and withdrawal. This entry does not supply a reconstructed mantra.
Effects & Destructive Capability
Bhishma recalls the Prasvapa weapon during his encounter with Parashurama.
Restrictions
The epic describes intervention against its deployment.
Counters & Defenses
No general counter is established.
Recorded Uses & Battles
Bhishma–Parashurama encounter.
Tradition Notes
Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.
Archive Classification Notes
Original archive annotations are retained here. The current playable classification is shown in the side panel.
- Tradition Dependence
- High; distinguish individual epic accounts.
- Origin & Transmission
- Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
- Special Properties
- Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
- Affected Characters
- Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
- Editorial Power Tier
- Unassigned — no verified comparative scale
- Editorial Rarity
- Archive classification
TRADITION & MEANING
Traditions & Interpretations
The profile follows this specific duel. A name associated with sleep does not justify inventing a universal range, duration or immunity rule, and Prasvapa should not be merged with every other bewildering or sleep-related Astra.
Bhishma accepts the warning and puts the weapon away. This decision helps bring the confrontation towards its conclusion without the proposed humiliation of Parashurama. The outcome depends on both Bhishma’s knowledge of a powerful weapon and his willingness to follow counsel about its use.
Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.
From the Sacred Texts
Explore the sacred texts behind these stories in the Suvarnaveda library.
FOLLOW THE THREADS
Connected Cards
6 connected profiles. Every path leads to an original record.
Characters & Cosmic Entities4
Bhishma remembers and prepares the weapon.
Parashurama is the teacher whom Bhishma is forbidden to humiliate.
Narada urges Bhishma to withdraw it.
