Hindu mythological wars

Hindu teachings prescribe war as the final option, to be employed only after all peaceful methods are exhausted.

The perennial battle between the devas and asuras is undertaken over the dominion of the three worlds: Svarga, Bhumi, and Patala, (Heaven, Earth, and the underworld).

Both races are technically equal, possessors of great religious and martial powers, but the devas are committed to the worship of the Supreme Being and the practice of virtue.

Vishnu, the preserver deity, is considered to be the Ultimate Reality in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.

Vishnu has 10 avatars: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama or Buddha, Krishna, and Kalki.

Vishnu is also said to have total of 36 forms other than these ten incarnations, including Mohini, Nara-Narayana, Arjuna, Dattatreya, Dhanvantari, Hayagriva, and several others.

Assigned with the task of destroying all of the universe at the end of time, Shiva is one of the most fearsome warriors as well as the revered yogis in Hindu tradition.

A Shastra is a personal weapon like swords, bows, spades, axes, spears and maces which must be constantly operated by a warrior.

The Samudra Manthana, a major conflict between the devas and the asuras
The Battle of Kurukshetra, fought between the Kauravas and the Pandavas , recorded in the Mahabharata .
The epic story of Ramayana was adopted by several cultures across Asia . Shown here is a Thai historic artwork depicting the battle which took place between Rama and Ravana.
A painting of Vishnu
11th-century statue of Shiva as Nataraja, the lord of the dance
Lakshmi, among the most popular manifestations of Shakti