Himalayan Art Resources

Ritual Object: Kila 'Purba' Types

Kila 'Purba' Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Select Examples, Size & Function
- With Letters
- Plain Design
- Single Face Design: Raksha Head (Mahakala)
- Three Face Design: Vajrakila
- Animal Face/Head: Horse Head (Hayagriva), Animal Headed (Miscellaneous), Purba Set
- Miscellaneous (Possibly Naxi)
- Bon Religion Purba
- Dali Kingdom
- Chinese Manufacture
- Tribal
- Confusions
- Others...

Videos:
- Kila/Purba 'Peg'
- Size & Function

Medium:
- Metal
- Meteorite Iron (nam chag pur ba)
- Wood
- Ivory
- Others...

A purba (Tibetan: phur ba. Sanskrit: kila) is a three edged peg usually made from metal or wood originating with Indian Tantric Buddhism and related to ritual mandala construction. The 'kila' has sometimes been described in the West as a dagger with three blades. Considered the best of the metal 'kilas' are those created from meteorite iron. Sandalwood is also popular. The various tantra literature describes different mediums for construction based on function and ritual practice.

Database Search: All Images

Jeff Watt 11-2019

(The images below are only a selection of examples from the links above).