Vintage bronze khatvanga #3, large size

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 very heavy quality dark bronze (with some iron inside, to attach the various parts to each other) and nicely detailed. The different parts show a kartika-styled blade and three dorje's.

The kartika is a flaying, crescent-shaped knife or chopper. In Tibetan iconography it is mostly seen in the hands of female wrathful deities, such as the dakini's. The typical crescent-shaped form is derived from the traditional form of Indian butcher knives, but can for example also be seen in the typical skinning knife used by Inuit women.

The kartika is especially used in Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, such as the Chöd ritual. It symbolizes the severance from all material and worldly bonds and chops up the ego-centered self.

The kartika is often, as is also the case here, paired with the symbol of the dorje or double dorje, one of the symbols most common in the iconography of Tibetan Buddhism. The Tibetan word ‘dorje’ consists of two parts; ‘do’ which means ‘stone’ and ‘rje’ which translates as ‘noble’, ‘prince’ or ‘lord’. Overall it can thus be translated as ‘noble stone’ or ‘Lord of the Stones’. The Sanskrit word for it is ‘vajra’, which translates both as 'lightning bolt' and as 'diamond'.

In Tibetan Buddhist practice, the dorje commonly forms a ritual pair with the bell (‘ghanta’). In this combination, the dorje is traditionally held in the right hand. Items held in the right hand in Tibetan Buddhist practice, symbolize the masculine principle of compassion-in-action; skilful action to accomplish compassionate intents.

The dorje is such an active attribute. It has the indestructible properties of a diamond and the force of a thunderbolt. It supports in (to state it quite simple) 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.

The dorje supports the (ritual) actions that can be done with the kartika, making sure they are done with diamond clarity.

This khatvanga is from vintage origin and might therefore have some imperfections and damages due to its age and previous usage. But overall it is a beautiful piece in very good, heavy and stable condition.

It is 31 centimeters long and weighs 945 grams.

Only one available.