金剛杵

The (sa) vajra, or thunderbolt; it is generally shaped as such, but has various other forms. Any one of the beings represented with the (sa) vajra is a 金剛. The (sa) vajra is also intp. as a weapon of Indian soldiers. It is employed by the esoteric sects, and others, as a symbol of wisdom and power over illusion and evil spirits. When straight as a sceptre it is 獨股 one limbed, when three-pronged it is 三股, and so on with five and nine limbs.