Difference between revisions of "Khatvanga"
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− | + | [[Khatvāṅga]] ([[Sanskrit]]:{{SanskritBig|[[खट्वाङ्ग]]}}) is a long, club-like instrument originally created to be used as a weapon. It is a [[divine]] weapon of various significance in [[Dharmic]] [[Traditions]] such as {{Wiki|Shaivism}} and [[Esoteric Buddhism]]. The [[Khatvanga]] was adopted by some [[lineages]] of historical [[Tantra]] though it preceded such [[traditions]]. [[khatvanga]]: [[Ritual staff]] carried by certain [[tantric]] [[masters]] adorned with various [[symbols]] of [[tantric practice]]. For example, [[Guru Padmasambhava]], [[Yeshe Tsogyel]], and [[Vajravarahi]] are all depicted carrying a [[khatvanga]]. | |
− | + | ==History== | |
− | In the | + | In the [[Hindu]] History, [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] as well as [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Rudra}} carried the [[Khatwang]] as a [[staff]]. The [[Khatwang]] has a great significance in the {{Wiki|Shaiva}} {{Wiki|pantheon}}. [[Lord]] [[Shiva]] as well as {{Wiki|Rudra}} are called the ‘[[Khatwangi]]’ for bearing this club. |
− | The khatvanga, comes as a danda with three severed heads denoting liberation from the three worlds or triloka, crowned by a trishula and dressed with a sash of the Himalayan Rainbow or Five Pure Lights of the Mahabhuta. | + | [[File:KolmHark0.gif|thumb|left|250px|]] |
− | + | Beer (2003: p. 102) relates how the [[symbolism]] of the [[khatvanga]] that entered [[esoteric Buddhism]] (particularly from [[Padmasambhava]]) was a direct borrowing from the [[Wikipedia:Shaivism|Shaivite]] [[Kapalikas]] who frequented places of austerity such as [[charnel grounds]] and cross roads etcetera as a [[form]] of 'left-handed [[path]]' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[vamamarga]]) '[[spiritual practice]]' ([[Sanskrit]]: [[sadhana]]):: | |
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+ | : "The [[form]] of the [[Buddhist]] [[khatvanga]] derived from the emblematic [[staff]] of the early [[Indian]] [[Wikipedia:Shaivism|Shaivite]] [[yogins]], known as [[kapalikas]] or '[[skull-bearers]]'. The [[kapalikas]] were originally miscreants who had been sentenced to a twelve-year term of penance for the [[crime]] of inadvertently {{Wiki|killing}} a [[Brahmin]]. The penitent was prescribed to dwell in a {{Wiki|forest}} hut, at a desolate crossroads, in a [[charnel ground]], or under a [[tree]]; to [[live]] by begging; to practice | ||
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+ | austerities; and to wear a loin-cloth of hemp, {{Wiki|dog}}, or donkey-skin. They also had to carry the {{Wiki|emblems}} of a [[human]] {{Wiki|skull}} as an [[alms-bowl]], and the {{Wiki|skull}} of the [[Brahmin]] they had slain mounted upon a wooden [[staff]] as a banner.These [[Hindu]] [[kapalika]] [[ascetics]] soon evolved into an extreme [[outcaste]] [[sect]] of the 'left-hand' [[tantric path]] | ||
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+ | (Skt. [[vamamarg]]) of [[shakti]] or [[goddess]] {{Wiki|worship}}. The early [[Buddhist]] [[tantric]] [[yogins]] and [[yoginis]] adopted the same [[goddess]] or [[dakini]] [[attributes]] of the [[kapalikas]]. These [[attributes]] consisted of; [[bone ornaments]], an [[animal]] {{Wiki|skin}} {{Wiki|loincloth}}, marks of [[human]] ash, a [[skull-cup]], [[damaru]], [[flaying knife]], [[thighbone trumpet]], and the [[skull-topped tantric staff]] or [[khatvanga]]." | ||
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+ | [[Khatwang]] (Khatwa - Cot + [[Anga]] - Part) {{Wiki|etymologically}} means the part of a cot. | ||
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+ | Originally, the [[Khatwangam]] was made of {{Wiki|bones}}, especially, the long {{Wiki|bones}} of forearm or the leg of [[human beings]] or [[animals]]. However, subsequently, [[wood]] and metals were used [[to build]] the weapon. | ||
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+ | Structurally, the [[Khatwang]] is a long club with [[kapalas]] ([[Skull]]) engraved on the [[body]]. The [[Khatwang]] also acts a [[vajra]]. | ||
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+ | ==Utility== | ||
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+ | The [[transformation]] of [[Khatwang]] from a weapon to [[religious]] [[staff]] took place during the Fourth Century A.D. with the advent of [[Buddhism]]. The [[deities]] as well as {{Wiki|saints}} of [[Vajrayana Buddhism]] appear with this [[staff]]. | ||
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+ | ==[[Esoteric Buddhism]]== | ||
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+ | In the [[Buddhist]] lore, it is also a particular [[divine]] attribute of [[Padmasambhava]] and endemic to his iconographic [[representation]]. The [[Khatvanga]] is also emblematic of [[Padmasambhava]] when depicted as an accoutrement of his [[divine]] [[consorts]], [[Mandarava]] and [[Yeshe Tsogyal]] and according to the [[Twilight Language]] is representative of [[Yab-Yum]] in these examples. | ||
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+ | The [[khatvanga]], comes as a [[danda]] with three severed heads denoting [[liberation]] from the [[three worlds]] or [[triloka]], crowned by a [[trishula]] and dressed with a sash of the [[Himalayan]] [[Rainbow]] or [[Five Pure Lights]] of the [[Mahabhuta]]. | ||
+ | {{clear}} | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category: Ritual Instruments ]] | [[Category: Ritual Instruments ]] |
Latest revision as of 15:14, 28 March 2024
Khatvāṅga (Sanskrit:खट्वाङ्ग) is a long, club-like instrument originally created to be used as a weapon. It is a divine weapon of various significance in Dharmic Traditions such as Shaivism and Esoteric Buddhism. The Khatvanga was adopted by some lineages of historical Tantra though it preceded such traditions. khatvanga: Ritual staff carried by certain tantric masters adorned with various symbols of tantric practice. For example, Guru Padmasambhava, Yeshe Tsogyel, and Vajravarahi are all depicted carrying a khatvanga.
History
In the Hindu History, Lord Shiva as well as Lord Rudra carried the Khatwang as a staff. The Khatwang has a great significance in the Shaiva pantheon. Lord Shiva as well as Rudra are called the ‘Khatwangi’ for bearing this club.
Beer (2003: p. 102) relates how the symbolism of the khatvanga that entered esoteric Buddhism (particularly from Padmasambhava) was a direct borrowing from the Shaivite Kapalikas who frequented places of austerity such as charnel grounds and cross roads etcetera as a form of 'left-handed path' (Sanskrit: vamamarga) 'spiritual practice' (Sanskrit: sadhana)::
- "The form of the Buddhist khatvanga derived from the emblematic staff of the early Indian Shaivite yogins, known as kapalikas or 'skull-bearers'. The kapalikas were originally miscreants who had been sentenced to a twelve-year term of penance for the crime of inadvertently killing a Brahmin. The penitent was prescribed to dwell in a forest hut, at a desolate crossroads, in a charnel ground, or under a tree; to live by begging; to practice
austerities; and to wear a loin-cloth of hemp, dog, or donkey-skin. They also had to carry the emblems of a human skull as an alms-bowl, and the skull of the Brahmin they had slain mounted upon a wooden staff as a banner.These Hindu kapalika ascetics soon evolved into an extreme outcaste sect of the 'left-hand' tantric path
(Skt. vamamarg) of shakti or goddess worship. The early Buddhist tantric yogins and yoginis adopted the same goddess or dakini attributes of the kapalikas. These attributes consisted of; bone ornaments, an animal skin loincloth, marks of human ash, a skull-cup, damaru, flaying knife, thighbone trumpet, and the skull-topped tantric staff or khatvanga."
Khatwang (Khatwa - Cot + Anga - Part) etymologically means the part of a cot.
Originally, the Khatwangam was made of bones, especially, the long bones of forearm or the leg of human beings or animals. However, subsequently, wood and metals were used to build the weapon.
Structurally, the Khatwang is a long club with kapalas (Skull) engraved on the body. The Khatwang also acts a vajra.
Utility
The transformation of Khatwang from a weapon to religious staff took place during the Fourth Century A.D. with the advent of Buddhism. The deities as well as saints of Vajrayana Buddhism appear with this staff.
Esoteric Buddhism
In the Buddhist lore, it is also a particular divine attribute of Padmasambhava and endemic to his iconographic representation. The Khatvanga is also emblematic of Padmasambhava when depicted as an accoutrement of his divine consorts, Mandarava and Yeshe Tsogyal and according to the Twilight Language is representative of Yab-Yum in these examples.
The khatvanga, comes as a danda with three severed heads denoting liberation from the three worlds or triloka, crowned by a trishula and dressed with a sash of the Himalayan Rainbow or Five Pure Lights of the Mahabhuta.