In Sanskrit, it is called Kīla, in Tibetan, it is called Phurba; created originally as a weapon in ancient India, it was adopted by Vajrayana Buddhism (密宗) as the primary ritual utensil in esoteric mediation and ritual practices. The three-sided ritual dagger symbolises the irreversible power of the mantra “Om”. During Buddhist purification ceremonies, the ritual dagger is set at all four corners in an established protective circle around a Mandela; the lamas and mediums (Lha-mo in Tibetan) would hold the Vajra prong and certain ‘dances’ are performed to remove all forces of evil and cleanse the monastery. Mahākāla is regarded as the God of War in ancient India; however, it is often recognised as the sacred Dharmapāla ("Protector of the Dharma") in Tantric Buddhism. A wrathful deity, with three round glaring eyes, fierce in appearance, hairs flaming upward like orange fire, a crown of five skulls, rolling tongue with an open red mouth and bared fangs; the fearsome god can wage war without any mercy against demons and enemies of Buddhism. ---------------------- The Mahākāla Phurba demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, and uniqueness; a work of art with outstanding aesthetic quality. The wrathful Phurba is divided into seven layers, the top (1 layer) consists of Amitābha (阿彌陀佛), and the midsection is divided into three layers (3 layers) with each layer consisting of three Mahākāla Heads (黑天頭像), totaling of nine heads. Followed by a lotus ball with a delicate petals design (1 layer), below consists of three large Makara Heads (巨大摩羯魚) (1 layer) with each head bite on a green tree viper. The last layer (1 layer) consists of a triple blade with sharp edges. An exceptionally rare ritual dagger, forge in the highest level of craftsmanship with the finest of details accompanied by piercing wrathful energy, a masterpiece among Phurba works of art.