The ankusha is a ritual instrument used to cut away sin, control desires and gain enlightenment. The top has a double 4 pronged vajra on one side and a dual purpose parashu (axe) and anushka (elephant goad).  The parashu/anushka has a full depiction of a makara clutching pearls of wisdom. The handle is two facing lotus blossoms above a makara-snail head on top of the phurba. The makara in both forms on this ritual instrument symbolizes power, firmness and unshakeability, this is taken from its origins as part crocodile; the crocodile will not release its jaws until the prey is dead; thus when used to cut away poison desires the makara will not release them until they are dead. The anushka, the curved back tip of the blade is used to control elephants, the largest of land animals, and here denotes the controlling of human desires: the hooking of negativities or evil and pulling or driving all beings out of samsara and towards liberation. The phurba, a ferocious striker issuing from the jaws of makara, symbolizes the overcoming or cutting through of the three root poisons of ignorance, desire, and hatred. The properties of the triangular shape represent the element fire symbolizing wrathful activity. The makara head at the top of the blade represents its ferocious activity and the inseparable union of method and wisdom as the fearlessness and certainty of its accomplishment. The triangular blade also represents past present and future and control over the three realms; above, on and below the earth's surface. This handsome instrument comes from the Rongwu Monastery. The monastery is currently updating all of their statues and ritual instruments in gold.

Material: white brass over brass
Age: circa 1700-1750
Dimensions: 17" long  X  9.5" wide

SOLD

CA01 Price $987.00 plus shipping and handling ~ $35 west coast ~ $39 Mtn states ~ $43 Midwest ~ $47 east coast ~ other areas call for quote.