Padmasambhava & the Trident
Padmasambhava: Related SubjectsVideos:
- Padmasambhava & the Trident
- Katvanga & Trident Confusions
The trident of Padmasambhava appears to be an amalgamation of the traditional trident and the Tantric Buddhist katvanga staff. With most literature and iconographic examples of Padmasambhava he is described as having a trident upright on his left side resting against the shoulder and held in the bend of the elbow. The top of the staff has a trident typically decorated with a whisp of flame above the central point. The descriptions of the trident now further describe three individual heads one atop the other. Some examples have three sets of three heads. Below that is a vase and below that is half of a vishva-vajra. A white or variously coloured scarf with ribbons can sometimes be seen below and tied in a bow. A single example below depicts a single blade (spear) and katvanga characteristics.
A number of early depictions of Padmasambhava in both painting and sculpture clearly show a typical Tantric katvanga rather than a trident staff. A greater number of examples depict the trident as if it were a three-pronged vajra. Often this trident shaped vajra would be very small in size making it difficult to identify the shape as a half vajra or a miniature trident.
The katvanga staff of the Sarma traditions primarily comes out of the Chakrasamvara cycle of Tantras. The staff is the length of the body and has eight sides and tapers to the bottom where it is tipped with a half vajra. At the top there is a vertical standing five-pronged vajra with three heads below, followed by a vase and then what often appears to be half of a vishva-vajra. Some variant examples have a half vajra at the top as well as the bottom. The katvanga symbolizes the consort when the male or female partner is not depicted in the painting or sculpture. In the Sarma traditions the katvanga also symbolizes the complete mandala.
The trident staff of the Sarma traditions refers only to the three points at the top of the shaft. There need be no other decorations or embellishments. The symbolism of the trident can be interpreted differently depending on the tradition or literature followed.
Jeff Watt 4-2023
(The majority of images below depict Padamasambhava holding a katvanga staff with a vajra or half vajra at the top rather than a three pointed trident).
