The Indian Buddhist Iconography, Mainly Based on the Sadhanamala and Other Cognate Tantric Texts of Rituals c23.24

c23.24

As all these deities centre round the one grand conception of Śūnya so also the host of weapons revolve round the one grand conception of Bodhicitta or the Will to Enlightenment. As these weapons are required to discharge different functions, the Bodhicitta resolves itself into so many different forms of weapons¹. For instance, when the darkness of ignorance is to be dispelled Bodhicitta becomes a sword by which the veil of ignorance is cut asunder. The sword is also to be used to destroy the Māra hordes who disturb the worshippers. Bodhicitta becomes the Aṅkuśa (goad) when the hearts of the wicked are to be pierced. It is conceived as a noose when the Māra hordes are to be securely bound. It becomes a needle and a thread when the eyes of the wicked have to be sewn up. Bodhicitta becomes a Kartri (knife) when the wicked have to be chopped. It is a Bhiṇḍipāla (javelin) when Māras have to be attacked from a distance, and a bow and an arrow if the distance be greater.