Dzi phurba pendant Garuda and Lightning

Nice phurba pendant made with a (recently made) Garuda and Lightning dzi bead as the center piece.

The phurba is a ritual triangular dagger common in vast territories of Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and others. There is no exact data on the duration of the use of phurba for ritual purposes, but according to references in the annals and finds from excavations it can be established that is has been used at least 3500 years.  

There are multiple ways in which the phurba is used. In many traditions it is used during ritual actions for its protective qualities, keeping the space safe from distortion by dark spirits and protecting the souls of the participants from getting lost. For this reason, before going into deep trance, Nepalese Orthodox Shamans (Jakri) stick the phurba into the ground on their left side to keep dark spirits at a distance.  

Also the phurba can be used as an attribute for healing, using it to expel evil spirits and entities from the human body and as a tool for directing energy and giving blessings.

This pendants shows  a double-faced depiction of Vajrakila. In Tibetan Buddhism, Vajrakila is the wrathful manifestation of the buddha Vajrasattva. His practice is the most powerful one for removing, transmuting and transcending obstacles and obscurations. He fights all forces hostile to compassion and spiritual pollution. His most iconic weapon is the phurba ('kila'), of which he is the master. 

This phurba pendant, in which the traditional dynamics of the phurba itself have been combined with the symbolism of the Garuda and Lightning dzi bead, can be worn as a personal protective amulet or for that reason be attached to your ritual attributes or clothing, but can also be used as a fully-functional ritual weapon in handy travel-size.

On the symbolism of the Garuda and Lightning dzi:

This dzi bead is decorated with two symbols; on one side 5 circles in the pattern of a cross can be seen, and on the other side a lightning flash.

The 5 circles together in a cross-shape form a symbolic image for Garuda, a deity and mythological creature known in Hinduism and Buddhism, famous for its tremendous strength, speed and military courage. Garuda is a symbol for the victory of reason over ignorance by helping to free the mind from anxiety, frustrations and negative thoughts.

From the 5 circles, 4 are referring to the 4 cardinal directions, symbolizing that wealth may flow in from every direction (into the center, the middle circle, where the wearer of the dzi is located).

The 5 circles are also associated with the 5 aspects of Dzambala, the buddhist deity of wealth and prosperity. Each aspect of Dzambala (Green, White, Yellow, Red or Black) represents wealth on another area of life.

The other side of this bead shows the symbol of lightning, which is associated with the dorje (or vajra) and symbolizes the destruction of ignorance in order to gain insight in the true nature of the universe and reality. It supports in finding a clear path through the diversions of the 'monkey-mind' and ego-chatter, to see what's real and what's not.

The two symbols on this bead enhance each others effect and guide the one wearing it on a path to success, wisdom and prosperity. This bead is also quite unique in its dynamics to not only protect against negative influences from outside, but also from one’s own destructive mental patterns, such as negative thoughts and defeatist modes. Such a bead can be a good choice for people in leading positions, or those having the ambition to get there.

Please note; this dzi bead is sometimes experienced as one with also a strong influence on the physical body. Mostly sensations of tingling are reported around the area’s of old physical wounds. This dzi bead can be of support in healing such old physical trauma’s. But of course it will never replace necessary medical treatments. And if the sensations might feel uncomfortable, then maybe this dzi bead is too intense for you.

Total length of this pendant is 8,8 centimeters. Weight is 29 grams. The dzi bead is a recently made one, in a red-brown, semi-transparent color, with the decoration in high relief on it. The face of Vajrakila and the (in this case 4 sided) phurba tip are made of bronze.

Only one available