Pashupatastra

The Pashupatastra (IAST: Pāśupatāstra, sanskrit: पाशुपतास्त्र), in Hindu History, is the crescent-shaped irresistible and most destructive personal weapon of Kali and Shiva, discharged by the mind, the eyes, words, or a bow. Never to be used against lesser enemies or by lesser warriors, the Pashupatastra is capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings. PashupatiNath is the most important of all Shiva temples located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Pashupatastra is the weapon of PashupatiNath.

It was used in the Mahabharata war by Arjuna to kill Jayadratha. It was used against Lakshmana by Meghanada. According to Kurma Puran, in the battle between the Purusha and demonic forces, Narasimha avatar escapes a powerful weapon called Pashupata. It is returned without causing any harm since it can be used only to uphold Dharma. Bhishma also had this weapon which he would have used against Parashurama in a war against him. This weapon was not known to Parashurama. It would put Parashurama to sleep in the battlefield. A person who sleeps in the battlefield is considered to be dead as per Vedas. However the weapon was never used as Devas warned him from the sky that "If He uses this weapon it would be a great insult towards his Guru". Parshurama felt really proud of Bhishma but said "He will not walk away from the battlefield, either Bhishma has to kill him or he can withdraw". Bhishma humbly walked out from the war and saying that" He was never interested to fight his Guru, he did it only because his Guru asked him to do so".