ANTIQUE PARASHU (RITUAL AXE) WITH MAKARA HEAD AND HALF-VAJRA – TIBET – FIRST HALF 20^th C.

This bronze and iron parashu originates from Tibet.

Parashu is the Sanskrit word for battle-axe, the weapon of attack of ancient times. The parashu was known as the most deadly close-combat weapon of the gods.

The parashu is the typical weapon of several deities such as Ganesha, goddess Durga and lord Shiva who gave it to Parashurama (Parshuram) sixth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu, whose name means "Rama with the axe" and also taught him its mastery.

This battle axe is a symbolic weapon, an object of Buddhist ritual, used to cut the bonds of ignorance that hold beings attached to Samsara, the continuous cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence, dying again and rebirth once more, without beginning or end. This beginningless cycle is considered to be unsatisfactory and painful and perpetuated by desire and ignorance. This ritual axe is used in Tibetan rituals to destroy the evil and negative forces that obstruct and hinder living beings on the path to enlightenment.

The iron blade of this parashu comes out from the mouth of a makara, to which a five-pronged half-vajra is attached. The nicely forged bronze handle also ends with a five-pronged half-vajra.

Makara is a sanskrit word which means "sea dragon" or "water-monster". The makara has been depicted typically as half mammal and half fish. In many temples, the depiction is in the form of half fish or seal with head of an elephant. Makara are considered guardians of gateways and thresholds, protecting throne rooms as well as entryways to temples; it is the most commonly recurring creature in Hindu and Buddhist temple iconography, and also frequently appears as a gargoyle or as a spout attached to a natural spring. The head of the makara is also common in ritual implements such as parashus and kartikas.

The vajra is a sanskrit word that is usually defined as "diamond" or "thunderbolt", he is called in tibetan: dorje. It is the symbol of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism, which is the tantric branch that contains rituals said to allow a follower to achieve enlightenment in a single lifetime, in a thunderbolt flash of indestructible clarity. A diamond is spotlessly pure and indestructible, which cannot be cut or broken. The vajra essentially symbolizes the impenetrable, immovable, immutable, indivisible, and indestructible state of enlightenment or Buddhahood. In Tibetan ritual, the vajra often is used together with a bell (ghanta). The vajra is held in the left hand and represents the male principle (upaya), referring to action and compassion. The ghanta is held in the right hand and represents the female principle (prajna) or wisdom. Together, the Ghanta and Dorje symbolize the perfect union of the wisdom and compassion necessary to achieve enlightenment.

Age: first half 20^th C.

Size: 29 cm long, 11.7 cm wide.

Weight: 315 gr.

Condition: This parashu is in good condition taking into account its high age. Good patina and signs of high age and long time use. Look carefully to the pictures which are an integral part of the description. Consequently any damage or repair to the object not mentioned in the text, but visible in the photos, are considered to be described.

The description and explanation of the item have been made in good faith and to the best of my knowledge. The dimensions are measured manually and are therefore approximate. Colors may differ slightly from the original colors. This is a private sale as I am not a professional seller; I am a collector who liquidates his collection. Therefore, I do not accept returns unless in very exceptional cases. In any case, the return costs are to be paid by the buyer. I hope you will understand this. Please don’t hesitate to request before purchasing all information you need. Your satisfaction and positive feedback is very important to me. If you have any problems with the item or services, please feel free to contact me first before you leave negative feedback. I will do my best to solve any problems.

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