Parashu, Buddhist ritual battle axe

This tantric ceremonial staff is used to pierce the fog of ignorance and remove obstacles to meditative contemplation. It is a Buddhist battle axe with half a vajra on the top, on the left side, and a curved crystal blade on the right side, symbolically eradicating the negativity created by karma.

In Tantric Buddhist iconography, the battle axe PA is held by cruel deities to symbolize the breaking of these worldly bonds. In Hindu iconography, it is a weapon in the hand of Parasuram, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, who descended to this world to fight against the warrior caste of the Kshatriyas at the call of Bramin.

The crystal blade is attached to an open-mouthed makara head at its central hub. The makara is a sea dragon or water monster. This tantric axe has a crystal ball as its central hub and is decorated with two ornate half vajra heads at the top and back, symbolizing its indestructible "thunderbolt" nature. The staff ends in a half-crystal vajra.

Held in the right hand or both hands, the axe symbolizes the elimination of all negative ideas and concepts from the mind; it cuts through birth and death, root and trunk. The Tibetan term for the axe, dgra-sta, means "enemy axe" and implies that this ritual instrument is used to fight evil demons or enemies of the Buddha Dharma.

Ritual Battle Axe, Parashu
The central hub is made of round crystal and decorated with two half vajras at the top and back. It ends in a teardrop-shaped crystal, the curved blade, kartika, on the left side is made of crystal and decorated with filigree and colored stones. The lower end of the staff is finished with a half crystal vajra. The copper is gold plated. The staff is patinated for an antique finish.

• Height: 41cm
• Width: 23.5cm
• Depth: 9 cm
• Weight: 754g