At the time of Aranyavasa i.e., living in the forest, Arjuna performed meditation (Tapas) and Lord Siva blessed him with “Pasupatastra.” Arjuna was advised not to use it in Mahabharata war as it would create “Laghu Pralaya”, which means dissolution and it will take place in a limited area. So Arjuna was given “Laghu Samhara Paasupatastram”, killing with small destruction.

Pasupatastras

There are seven types of Pasupatastras such as Anaakha Paspatastra, Bhasapasupatastra, Samhara Pasupatastra and so on. Samhara Pasupatastra is for annihilation. Here also there are three types. Laghu Samhara Paasupatastram, Madhyama Samhara Pasupatastram, Maha Samhara Pasupatastram. These are so powerful that annihilation takes place beyond human expectations. The extent of annihilation depends on the type of Pasupatastra used.