Spiritual
Pinaka Bow: Facts About Lord Shiva’s Dhanush
15
Jan
Jan
The name of Lord Shiva’s Dhanush was Pinaka Dhanush.
In this post, we will share some hidden facts about the powerful bow of Lord Shiva: The Pinaka Bow. The word Dhanush means Bow.
Let’s begin!
1) This Celestial Bow Was Created By Lord Vishwakarma
Lord Vishwakarma is the presiding godhead of all architects, designers, and craftsmen. Lord Vishwakarma is often stated to be the son of Brahma in some texts (Brahma is one of the trinity of Hindu gods). Vishwakarma is the divine craftsman of this whole universe and the official builder of all the god’s castles and palaces.
Lord Vishwakarma created two divine bows Pinaka and Sharanga. He gave Pinaka Bow to Lord Shiva and Sharanga Bow to Lord Vishnu.
2) Lord Shiva’s Present To King Devaratha
Lord Shiva gifted the Pinaka bow to King Devaratha, a great devotee and the ancestor of King Janaka of the Mithila region. King Janaka was the father of Sita. The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern-day India, more precisely in the state of Bihar.
3) Lord Rama Breaking Shiva’s Bow Caused An Explosion Sound
Pinaka played an important role in Epic Ramayana and it become the reason for the marriage of Shri Ram and Sita. When Ram tried to tie the string on another side of the bow it broke down into two halves. And it was unintentional but when the Shiv Dhanush broke into two pieces it caused an explosion-like sound. The event synchronized with thunder, lightning, and earthquakes as if a mountain crackled. Everyone was shocked and King Janak of Janakpuri was very happy and told him that he just witnessed the great strength of Sri Rama.
4) Material Of The Pinaka Bow
In Satya Yuga, there was an asura (evil demon) named Vritrasura.
Vritrasura did penance and got a boon from God Brahma that he will not get killed by any “Astra-Shashtra” (weapons). Vritrasura & Jalandhara were contemporary.
Therefore, it is also believed that God Vishwakarma made three bows & Vajra from the bones of Maharshi Dadhichi.
Those three Dhanush’s (bows) were:
- Gandiva
- Pinaka
- Sharanga
Indra Dev killed Vritrasura by Vajra.
Note: There are many different versions out there regarding the material of the Shiv Dhanush and the above is one of them.
5) No One Can Lift The Pinaka Bow
In the Ramayan, it is written that Shiv Dhanush was so heavy that no one was able to lift it. And as it was made for some purpose, only the God Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and Sita and Ram were only able to lift it. Here Ram and Sita were also the incarnations of God Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi therefore they were able to lift the heavy real Pinaka bow.
6) Sita Lifted The Pinaka Bow
In Ramayan, it is written that Sita the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi lifted the powerful and divine Pinaka bow of Lord Shiva in her childhood only.
7) Pinak Dhanush And Sita’s Swayamvara
Sita also known as Janaki, Bhoomija and Vaidehi, was the elder daughter of Rajrishi Janak of the Mithila region. King Devaratha was the ancestor of King Janak and as we know that Lord Shiva gifted the divine bow to King Devaratha. So it was there at the time of King Janak also.
King Janak arranged the Sita’s Swayamvara and as per Lord Parshuram’s advice, the one who can lift the Shiv Dhanush and tie its string will be the one who will marry Sita.
Only Lord Rama was able to lift the divine Shiva’s bow and married Sita as destined.
8) Why Ram Broke Shiva Dhanush
Raghunandan Rama was very powerful and when he lifted the Shiv Dhanush to tie the string on another end of the bow as per Sita’s swayamvar rules, at that time it broke down. But it is believed that Rama didn’t break the Pinaka bow intentionally.
But it is believed that shiva Dhanush was broken to break the egos of the arrogant Kshatriyas of the Ramayan time that were available in Sita’s swayamvar.
9) Parshuram Got Angry When Ram Broke Shiva Dhanush
Parshuram got very angry when Lord Rama broke the Shiva Dhanush at the time of Sita’s swayamvar. Because he was the greatest devotee of Lord Shiva. But later he realized that Ram is the avatar of Lord Vishnu and which makes him cool down.
10) Where Is Pinaka Dhanush Now
Dhanushadham is a religious place of Hindu worship in south-eastern Nepal.
It is believed that a part of Shiva Dhanusha (Bow of God Shiva) that was broken by Rama during Sita’s swayamvara, is housed here. Now there is a temple around the remaining of the bow and visited by many Hindu devotees from all over the world. That’s why it is named Dhanushadham.
11) Other Names Of Shiva Bow
Pinakpani and Ājagava are the other names of Shiv Dhanush.
12) Shiva Destroyed Asuras Cities Using Pinaka Bow
The Pinaka Dhanush is the celestial bow of the Hindu destroyer deity, Shiva. In popular legend, he is believed to have used this bow in his avatar as Tripurantaka to eliminate the three cities of Mayasura, known as Tripura.
Hello, how are you? Thank you for posting!
You’re welcome, Anindita!
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