Medium: Gilt bronze
Geograhical Locations:
Dates:12th–14th century
Dimensions: 1 3/4 × 1 3/4 × 7 5/8 in. (4.4 × 4.4 × 19.4 cm)
Collections:
Museum Location: Asian Galleries, Southwest, 2nd floor
Exhibitions:
Accession Number: 71.165
Image: 71.165_SL1.jpg,
Catalogue Description: Vajra ritual object Double five-pronged vajra (go-ko) with three flames on each prong except central one. Central grip consists of two bands of bound lotus petals. Vajra is a Sanskrit term for a lightning bolt. It is carried as a weapon by various Hindu and Buddhist deities. In esoteric Buddhism, the vajra is a central emblem because the pure energy of lightning delivers a swift, powerful, and precise blow that shatters what it touches, much as enlightenment can deliver a swift, powerful, and precise blow that shatters ignorance and other forces of darkness. In ancient India, the vajra was depicted as a forked weapon. The more elaborate form shown here developed later in India and became the standard depiction of the vajra throughout Buddhist Asia. Condition: Good, except has been cleaned recently (patina removed)