Featured Another Phurba

The phurba posted by @ParisLS inspired me to post this one from my collection, hoping that @Any Jewelry might be kind enough to share an opinion on it. I found it at an antique mall, with no particular information about it.

Total length is 20 1/2", and very heavy. All 3 sides are essentially the same.

 

why is this beauty not on my Blades thread ! ???

 

It is a special beauty, 2many. It is Tibetan, imo, and it has been used. My guesstimate is late 19th century.

The top is the bell-shaped stupa, one of eight types of Tibetan stupas. Stupas are shrines which hold saint's relics or special sacred items. In Tibetan Buddhism they also stand for the phases or steps to enlightenment, symbolized by the eight different shapes. The bell shaped stupa stands for the last phase, reaching enlightenment.

Under the stupa of enlightenment are the three Mahakala heads, which are seen on many phurbas. Mahakala is a wrathful God who protects and promotes good.

Next is the five-pronged vajra/dorje, which stands for the five elements, the five Buddhas, and their five wisdoms.
The vajra as such symbolizes the way to reach enlightenment, and especially the thunder/lightning speed at which it comes. The five-pronged version harmonizes the process, makes it more peaceful.
The outer prongs are protected by Makaras, a Makara is a protective mythical beast. They are often seen on vajras.

The lower faces are unusual, I haven't seen these particular ones before. I suspect they are Vajrakila faces.
Vajrakila is the wrathful version of the beautiful Vajrasattva, a Bodhisattva (aspect of the Buddha).
As with Mahakala, the wrathful Vajrakila looks fierce, but he helps the person seeking enlightenment. He clears obstacles on the path, especially those related to obscuring the path.

My theory is that this special phurba was made for someone who had already reached enlightenment. Someone like the abbott of a monastery. It looks like it tells the story of the owner's path.

 

Thank you so much, Any Jewelry. It seemed special, but I didn't understand how special.

 

You're welcome, of course.
I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

 

I wish there was a "Reader's Digest" version of the avatars and gods and goddesses and their roles in Buddhism and Hinduism. I love the stories and characters, but am mostly muddled.

 

It is extremely complicated.
When I was a teen I bought a big book, a guide on Hindu iconography, which I still have. It is very good, but when you look something up, you really have to take every little detail into consideration.
Buddhist iconography not as complicated, but the problem there are the many regional differences.

 

2manybooks antique phurba is insane-I've looked on Ebay and can't find it's equal-20 1/2 inches,s***-that's like a short sword !
The casting,finish,patina and wear is beautiful.
PS-I'm not even going to look on Sotheby's or Christies, those funds go to replumbing the house !!!