Large Brass Ritual Vajra Kartika On Black Stand

A large lost wax hand cast brass vajra kartika holds on a black cast iron wood base stand. Delicate pattern throughout the surface of the vajra. Unique piece, both in size and quality of work. The vajra kartika is used to symbolize the severance of all material and worldly bonds and is often crowned with a vajra, which is said to destroy ignorance, and thus leading to enlightenment. Another more nuanced interpretation says that “the kartika represents the severing of the two Buddhist obscurations of defilements (klesha avarana) and knowledge (jneya avarana) that obstruct the path of enlightenment”. The kartika is also used to cut through human obscurations to progress on the spiritual path including “pride, lack of belief, lack of devotion, distraction, inattention, and boredom”.

The Meaning Of Vijra

The Vajra (Sanskrit: वज्र, lit. “Thunderbolt”; Standard Tibetan: dorje) is a legendary tool and ritual implement. Across all schools of Tibetan Buddhism, practitioners pair the vajra with a ritual bell as central symbolic tools. Physically, the vajra forms a round, symmetrical metal scepter featuring two ribbed, spherical heads. These ribs either converge into a ball at the top or separate to end in sharp points.

In ancient tradition, the vajra served as the weapon of Indra, the Vedic king of heaven and devas. Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions all draw on its symbolism to represent spiritual power and firmness of spirit. Indeed, Hindu mythology ranks the vajra among the most formidable weapons in the universe.

Within the tantric Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism, the vajra symbolizes ultimate reality (sunyata), embodying endless creativity, potency, and skillful action (upaya). Qualified Vajrayana practitioners regularly wield both the vajra and the bell during recitation rituals. For the tantrika (practitioner), the male vajra holds layered meanings representing skillful means and compassion, while the female bell denotes wisdom (prajna). Depictions of deities holding a vajra in one hand and a bell in the other visually embody the ultimate union of compassion and wisdom.

One of a kind piece.

Dimensions: 6″ x 8.5″ x 15″ (Vajra Kartika)

4.5″ x 8.5″ x 18.5″ (Vajra with stand)