Vajra

The Vajra (Sanskrit: वज्र, lit. 'Thunderbolt', IAST: Vajra) is a legendary and ritualistic weapon, symbolizing the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).^[1]^[2]

The vajra is a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is the weapon of Indra, the Vedic king of the devas and heaven. It is used symbolically by the dharmic traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power.

According to Hinduism, the vajra is considered one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.^[3] The use of the vajra as a symbolic and ritual tool is mainly found in Tantric Buddhism.

^ Rysdyk, Evelyn C. (2019-02-19). The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-62055-795-2.
^ "Vajra". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
^ Ritual Implements in Tibetan Buddhism: A Symbolic Appraisal

[1] Rysdyk, Evelyn C. (2019-02-19). The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-62055-795-2.

[about-2] "Vajra". Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2010-10-21.

[ritual-3] Ritual Implements in Tibetan Buddhism: A Symbolic Appraisal

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