A khatvanga is a ritual or ceremonial staff or staff-weapon known in Hinduism and Buddhism, especially in Tantric traditions such as Shaivism and Vajrayana. The form is derived from the typical emblematic staff, worn as an attribute by early Indian Shaivite ascetics called Kapalika. 'Kapalika' translates as 'skull-men' or 'skull-bearers', referring to the fact that these men (originally penitents, who got sentenced to twelve years of penence after killing a Brahmin) traditionally carried a skull-topped trident and a human skull as begging bowl.
Early tantric Buddhists adopted the attributes of these Kapalika into their spiritual practices and thus the khatvanga became more and more of a ceremonial or ritual attribute, where the original Kapalika symbolism got mixed more and more with Buddhist symbolism.
This Tibetan khatvanga is a very nice piece of work. It is made from a Tibetan silver - copper alloy and has elaborate decorations, such as the beautiful dragon on the blade of the kartika and the depiction of the water monster Makara holding the blade of the phurba in its jaws.
This khatvanga is from vintage origin and might have some imperfections and damages due to its age and previous usage. Also it has some green oxidation stains.
