Mark Rasmussen
International Director
Lot 3
A copper alloy purbha with Vajrakila Tibet, circa 13th century
18 September 2013, 10:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$23,750 inc. premium
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A copper alloy purbha with Vajrakila
Tibet, circa 13th century
With an elaborate hilt of Vajrakila with six arms holding various attributes including a purbha raised to the heart, and three heads with fierce expressions surmounted by crowns of dried skulls and Akshobhya nestled in the chignons, above an eight-pronged vajra grip between "thread-mansion" formations and with the blade extending from the mouth of a snake-spewing makara-head.
17 in. (43.1 cm) high
With an elaborate hilt of Vajrakila with six arms holding various attributes including a purbha raised to the heart, and three heads with fierce expressions surmounted by crowns of dried skulls and Akshobhya nestled in the chignons, above an eight-pronged vajra grip between "thread-mansion" formations and with the blade extending from the mouth of a snake-spewing makara-head.
17 in. (43.1 cm) high
Footnotes
The purbha is thought to be the only implement capable of transmuting the powerful negative energy of vice and egocentrism into benevolent compassion (Rhie and Thurman, Worlds of Transformation, New York, 1999, p. 435). According to legend, Padmasambhava introduced the magic dagger to Tibet to subdue forces hostile to Buddhism. It is the embodiment of Vajrakila, who is one of eight Herukas (wrathful deities) of the Nyingma Mahayoga. Whereas, usually only his three faces are depicted, the present lot is a rare example with the inclusion of his torso and arms. For two other examples in private collections, see HAR#59544 & 90845.