Page 11 - Bonhams Indian and Himalayan Art September 2013

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A copper alloy purbha with Vajrakila
Tibet, circa 13th century
With an elaborate hilt of Vajrakila with six arms
holding various attributes including a purbha
raised to the heart, and three heads with fierce
expressions surmounted by crowns of dried
skulls and Akshobhya nestled in the chignons,
above an eight-pronged vajra grip between
“thread-mansion” formations and with the
blade extending from the mouth of a snake-
spewing makara-head.
17 in. (43.1 cm) high
$10,000 - 15,000
The purbha is thought to be the only implement
capable of transmuting the powerful negative
energy of vice and egocentrism into benevolent
compassion (Rhie and Thurman, Worlds of
Transformation, New York, 1999, p. 435).
According to legend, Padmasambhava introduced
the magic dagger to Tibet to subdue forces
hostile to Buddhism. It is the embodiment of
Vajrakila, who is one of eight Herukas (wrathful
deities) of the Nyingma Mahayoga. Whereas,
usually only his three faces are depicted, the
present lot is a rare example with the inclusion
of his torso and arms. For two other examples in
private collections, see HAR#59544 & 90845.

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