41

41. Battle-axe (Sanskr. paraśu; Tib. dgra sta). If the blade of such a weapon is somewhat more curved, coinciding in form with that of the chopper, it should be regarded not as an axe but as the “vajra hook”. The similarity of these two attributes often leads to confusion: the hook takes on the form of the battle-axe, and the battle-axe acquires the blade of the chopper, thus turning into the hook. For instance, in Pander’s album of the Pantheon of 300 Deities the attribute shown under No. 264 is a hook, while in Oldenburg’s publication it is a battle-axe.

42

42. Axe (Sanskr. paraśu; Tib. dgra sta), an attribute of many deities. Cf. Nos. 41 and 43.

43

43. This attribute, characteristic of Blue Ekajata and Black Kaladuti, may have no special appellation.

44. Pickaxe (Sanskr. khātra, khanitra, śaṅkulā; Tib. sta gri), an attribute of the Mahāsiddha Kotali.

45

45. Curved knife or chopper (Sanskr. karṭṭṛka; Tib. gri gug), one of the most common attributes, often coupled with the kapala.

46

46. Sickle (Sanskr. dātṛ, lavāṇaka; Tib. zor, zor ba, dgra zor), an attribute of the female deity Sharad-rajni, the Lady of Autumn.

47

47. Fish knife (Sanskr. churi, churikā; Tib. chu gri), held by a number of deities. Robert Beer states that the origins of this implement can be traced to the curved or wavy knife used in Indian villages for scaling and gutting fish. A similar but smaller knife has a different function; it is in fact a razor (Sanskr. kṣura; Tib. spu gri), allowed to Buddhist monks for shaving their heads.

48. Ritual dagger (Sanskr. kīla; Tib. phur bu), literally meaning “nail”. A very common attribute.

49

49. Dart (Sanskr. bhindipāla, ekaśūcikavajra; Tib. mtshon rtse gcig pa, bhi ti pa la, rdo rje rtse gcig pa), a weapon resembling Nos. 48 and 70B.

50

50. Yataghan or sabre (Sanskr. maṇḍalāgra, ardhacakrakṛpaṇa, karabāla; Tib. ral gri dgu po, shang lang), an attribute of Virudhaka.

51. Sheathed yataghan. Like No. 50, an implement of Virudhaka.

52.

52. Sword (Sanskr. khaḍga, asi; Tib. ral gri), one of the most common attributes (cf. No. 53).

53

53. Wisdom sword (Sanskr. prajñākhaḍga; Tib. shes rab ral gri), an attribute of Mañjuśrī and certain other figures.

54

54. Sword with a scorpion hilt (Tib. ral gri sdig pa’i yu ba can), an attribute of Begtse and certain other deities.

55.

55. Curved sword, an attribute of the Mahāsiddha Nalendra.

56.

56. Wooden stick (Tib. khram zhing), sometimes covered with counting notches or carved symbols to protect against demons. An attribute of a number of deities. The implement held by Lhamo is known as the “crossed stick of the demons” (Tib. bdud kyi khram bam).

57

57. Elephant tusk (Sanskr. viṣāṇa; Tib. mche ba), an attribute of Black Damsima and certain other figures. The elephant tusk is sometimes mounted on a staff.

58.

58. Needle (Sanskr. sūci; Tib. khab), an attribute of Marichi, Brahma and Chandika.

59.

59. Pole (?) (Sanskr. daṇḍa?; Tib. sdong bu?, mdung?, gsal shing?), an attribute of Red Hayagriva. Inasmuch as it has been noticed only once, with its upper part hidden by the deity’s head, this attribute may have a top similar to 70A, also typical of Hayagriva. In this case, the pole does not constitute a separate attribute, and No. 59 shows a fragment of attribute 70A.

60A

60B

60. Khadira wooden mace topped with a vajra (Sanskr. vajradaṇḍa; Tib. (seng lden gi) dbyung to rdo rjes mtshan pa, rdo rje'i sdong bu; rdo rje dbyug), an attribute of Hayagriva and certain other deities.