Kartika, Himalayas

Kartika, object of Buddhist worship. A half-dorje followed by a makara holding the blade constitutes the handle. Its symbolism is understood in the idea of cutting: cutting the concepts that prevent us from seeing reality, cutting the attachments that keep us prisoner in this world, or even cutting the vital forces of the enemies of dharma, in other words our inner deficiencies. We find it brandished by dakinis and by many angry deities. Early 20th century, Nepal or Tibet