๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐:
The Khatvanga (Trishul) is a sacred object carried in Guru Rinpoche’s left hand, symbolizing his union with wisdom and compassionate activity. It represents his supreme consort Mandarava and embodies the wisdom of bliss and emptiness.
๐ญ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ-๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐
• Symbolizes essence, nature, and compassionate energy.
• The three prongs represent the inseparable union of method and wisdom.
๐ฎ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐
• Represent the three kayas:
1. Dharmakaya (Cheo Ku) – the ultimate truth body.
2. Sambhogakaya (Long Ku) – the enjoyment or celestial body.
3. Nirmanakaya (Trul Ku) – the emanation body.
• Heads shown in dry, fresh, and rotten states signify the transformation of ignorance into wisdom.
๐ฏ. ๐ก๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐
• Represent the nine yanas or vehicles in Vajrayana Buddhism:
1. ลrฤvaka
2. Pratyekabuddha
3. Bodhisattva
4. Kriyฤ
5. Ubhaya
6. Yoga
7. Mahฤyoga
8. Anuyoga
9. Atiyoga
๐ฐ. ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ-๐๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐ธ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐
• Symbolize the five wisdoms:
1. Wisdom of Dharmadhatu
2. Mirror-like wisdom
3. Wisdom of equality
4. Wisdom of discernment
5. All-accomplishing wisdom
๐ฑ. ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ ๐ฎ๐บ๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐
• Signify that Guru Rinpoche subjugated all beings during his practices in the Eight Great Charnel Grounds (Duthri Gyed) at Bodhgaya.
๐ฒ. ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ
• When Guru Rinpoche is depicted in yab-yum with Mandarava, the Khatvanga is generally not shown.
• The Khatvanga is essential for authentic representations of Guru Rinpoche, ensuring all symbolic elements are properly depicted.
This guide helps devotees understand and recognize the symbolic significance of each component of the Khatvanga in statues or images of Guru Rinpoche.
๐ฝ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ช๐ ๐ฟ๐ค๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐
As Bodhicitta is so precious,
May those without it now create it.
May those who have it not destroy it,
And may it ever grow and flourish.
Image courtesy: Enlightenment and other sources.
