Small bronze khatvanga

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 one is a small khatvanga made from a good, heavy quality dark bronze. It can be used as a powerful attribute in your personal ritual and meditative practices. It shows a motive of three dorje's.

The word 'dorje' (or in Sanskrit 'vajra') translates both as 'lightning bolt' and as 'diamond'. The dorje symbolizes the true nature of the universe and reality; the endless, ultimate emptiness in which all possibilities exist. The dorje supports in 'cutting through the crap of the mind', finding a clear path through the diversions of the 'monkey-mind' and ego-chatter, seeing what's real and what's not. The dorje is said to destroy all kinds of ignorance and in this way helps in gaining true insights and diamond clarity.

This khatvanga  has a nice small size, making it easy to take with you while travelling; approximately 14 centimeters. It weighs 95 grams.

Only one available.