Why modern tech is being treated like ancient weapons of war

Cultures · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the Hindu observance of Ayudha Puja, the tools of your trade undergo a ritual transformation. From swords and ploughs to smartphones and laptops, these everyday objects are consecrated to signify the victory of knowledge over ignorance and the sanctity of one's livelihood.

Ayudha Puja, occurring during the Navaratri festival in September or October, is a tradition where people venerate the implements of their professions. While historically rooted in the worship of weapons of war, artisan tools, and agricultural equipment, the practice has evolved to include contemporary technology. In the modern era, computers, typewriters, and mobile phones are consecrated in the same manner as the weapons of the past. During the lunar cycle's luminous phase, this celebration happens on the ninth day. In Orissa, people specifically honor metal styluses and cultivation tools like the plough. Variations in naming exist across India, such as Shastra Puja in Maharashtra.

The ritual process is meticulous: tools and machines are first cleaned, polished, or painted. They are then smeared with turmeric paste, sandalwood paste (as a tilakam), and kumkumam (vermillion). In regions like South India, the focus often shifts toward educational materials—books, pens, and musical instruments—to honor Saraswati, the goddess of learning. This transition highlights a cultural shift from physical defense to intellectual and creative mastery. In Tamil Nadu, vehicles are washed and decorated before the ceremony. Kerala observes a specific two-day process involving keeping and then returning the items. In Maharashtra, marigold flowers and dhaan are used in the worship.

The festival is underpinned by diverse regional legends. In Karnataka, it is linked to the hero Arjuna retrieving his weapons from a shami tree before the Kurukshetra War. In other regions, it commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura or Rama's conquest of Lanka. By treating tools as sacred, the practice fosters a sense of respect for the means by which humans achieve their goals, whether through manual labor, academic pursuit, or digital innovation. The Mysore royal family includes a tradition of breaking a pumpkin in their palace grounds. Some rural communities in Karnataka begin the festival with a sheep sacrifice. In the Mahabharata, Krishna reportedly arranged a sacrifice to Goddess Kali to ensure victory.

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