This is the name of an all-conquering sword given to the
warrior Karna by the storm god Indra in the Mahabharata, the second of the two
major Hindu epics.
Karna was born with earrings and a coat of armor, and his
father, the sun-god Surya, has decreed that he cannot be harmed as long as he
wears them.
Indra obtains them from Karna by impersonating a brahmin and
asking charity from Karna, who is well-known for his kindness.
Despite being warned in a dream, Karna cannot bear the
thought of refusing and hands them up to Indra.
Karna requests the Vaijayanti Shakti in exchange for a boon
from Indra.
Karna maintains this sword in reserve to kill his nemesis
Arjuna, but is forced to use it on another powerful warrior, Ghatotkacha,
during the Mahabharata battle when the latter proves unconquerable.
Karna is at a disadvantage versus Arjuna as a result of the
loss of this weapon, and Karna is finally slain.
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