A TIBETAN GILDED BRONZE PHURBA, 19TH CENTURY

Hammer

R1,900

A TIBETAN GILDED BRONZE PHURBA, 19TH CENTURY

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The open sceptre surmounted by three Ganesh heads, the three sided blade extended from a bird's beak
31cm long

The phurba appears in the traditional form of a three sided stake with gilded characters on one blade most likely created for Buddhist rituals. The form derives from an ancient Vedic tool employed to pin down sacrifices. The three segments of the blade symbolize the phurba’s power to transform negative energies known as “three poisons” – attachment, aversion, and ignorance. They also represent three spirit worlds, and the phurba is believed to unite them. In Tibetan rituals, the phurba is staked down into a bowl of rice or grains. Phurbas always display iconographic imagery at the upper ends. This example presents a dramatic Garuda bird eating snakes. Above the vajra/scepter – with four decorated rounded prongs at each end forming round enclosures and the gilded central section – are three Ganesh heads facing outward with gilded eyes and tusks, donning elaborate headdresses with gilded motifs. Above is an expressive antelope/ungulate head.

Phurbas are known to symbolize peace and stability, and are thought to keep demons in their place. Only shamans or special individuals empowered to use a phurba are permitted to use it in ritualistic ceremonies. The blade on the phurba is never actually sharp, as it is a ritual dagger rather than a weapon intended to bring about destruction. Padmasambhava is widely regarded as the inventor of the phurba. In the 8th century, Padmasambhava used the phurba to consecrate the ground when he established the Samye monastery. Interestingly, tents have always played significant roles in Tibet as Tibet has always been a nomadic culture, and inserting tent pegs has been interpreted as sacrificing the earth. Hence, the shape of the phurba may derive from the stake used to secure tents.
In order to use a phurba, practitioners begin with meditation, then recite the sadhana of the phurba, inviting the deity to enter the phurba. The shaman then stabs the phurba into the ground, or into a bowl of rice/grain, all the while envisioning that the evil spirits or negative energies are beneath the blade. Phurbas are also traditionally used as decorations in homes and temples, and many practitioners include phurbas in their meditation rooms.
Dorje Phurba also known as Vajrakilaya, who is the wrathful form of Vajrapani (one of the wrathful deities known to remove obstacles) used the phurba. One can oftentimes see Vajrakilaya holding the phurba on Buddhist statues and thangkas. Vajrakilaya’s consort is Khorlo Gyedunma, a manifestation of the Green Tara. When a vajra is held in the upraised right hand of Vajrapani assuming his wrathful form, it is interpreted as a weapon, akin to Zeus’ lightning bolt or Hercules’ club.