An astra (Sanskrit: अस्त्र) is a supernatural weapon in Hindu epics. It is presided over by a specific deity and imbued with spiritual and occult powers. The term came to denote any weapon that was released from the hand (such as an arrow), compared to holding it (such as a sword).
The bearer of an astra is an astradhari (Sanskrit: अस्त्रधारी).[1]