Trishula (weapon)

The ''trishula'' () is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Hinduism.

In Nepal and Thailand, the term also often refers to a short-handled weapon which may be mounted on a ''daṇḍa'' "staff". Unlike the Okinawan sai, the ''trishula'' is often bladed. In Indonesian, ''trisula'' usually refers specifically to a long-handled trident, while the diminutive version is more commonly known as a ''cabang'' or '' tekpi''.

Etymology

The name ''trishula'' ultimately derives from the Sanskrit word त्रिशूल (triśūla), from त्रि (trí), meaning "three", and शूल (śū́la), meaning "a sharp iron pin or stake", referring in this case to the weapon's three prongs.

Symbolism

File:Trishool A4.svg, Shiva's ''trishula'' with damaru
File:Trishula.svg, ''Trishula'' details

The ''trishula'' symbolism is polyvalent and rich. It is wielded by the god Shiva and is said to have been used to sever the original head of Ganesha. Durga also holds a ''trishula'', as one of her many weapons. The three points have various meanings and significance, and, common to Hinduism, have many stories behind them. They are commonly said to represent various trinities—creation, maintenance, and destruction; past, present, and future; body, mind and atman; dharma or dhamma (law and order), bliss/mutual enjoyment and emanation/created bodies; compassion, joy and love; spiritual, psychic and relative; happiness, comfort and boredom; pride, repute and egotism; clarity, knowledge and wisdom; heaven, mind and earth; soul, fire and earth; soul, passion and embodied-soul; logic, passion and faith; prayer, manifestation and sublime; insight, serenity and bodhisattvahood or arhatship (anti-conceit); practice, understanding and wisdom; death, ascension and resurrection; creation, order and destruction; the three '' gunas'': satva, rajas and tamas.

Other uses

According to the Shiva Purana, Shiva is ''swayambhu'', self-created, born of his volitions. He emerges as a direct incarnation of Sadashiv and has a ''trishula'' from the very beginning. According to the Vishnu Purana, Surya married Sanjana, the daughter of Vishvakarma. However, Sanjana soon became unhappy with her married life, owing to the unbearable heat emanating from Surya. She complained to Vishvakarma, who agreed to solve the problem and came to an arrangement with Surya to reduce his heat. The solar matter fell to the earth, reducing 1/8th of his original power. This material was later used by Vishvakarma to create the Trishula for Shiva, Sudarshana Chakra for Vishnu, and the Pushpaka Vimana for Brahma. The goddess Durga holds a ''trishula'' among other weapons and attributes in her hands and amongst her accouterment, having received celestial weapons from both Shiva and Vishnu.

A similar word, ''trishel'', is the Romani word for ' cross'. ''Trisula'' is also the name of by the ABRI to crack down on PKI remnants in southern Blitar.

Gallery

File:Trishool A4.svg, Shiva's ''trishula'' with damaru.
File:Tridents (Trishul) brought as offerings to Guna Devi., near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.jpg, ''Trishula'' brought as offerings to Guna Devi, near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
File:Wat-Arun-menorah-8845.jpg, A seven-pronged ''trishula'' on top of Wat Arun, also known as the "trident of Shiva"Wat Arun The trident of Shiv extends from the top of each tower.

File:Cham Carved Sandstone Sculpture of Shiva, late 12th Cent. (9733101155).jpg, Cham carved sandstone sculpture of Shiva carrying a ''trishula'' in Southeast Asia
File:Emblem of the House of Chakri.svg, Emblem of the Chakri dynasty, the royal house of Thailand founded in 1782. The emblem of the dynasty consists of the ''trishula'' intertwined with the Sudarshana Chakra, another weapon, to create a Chakri.
File:Extermination of Evil Sendan Kendatsuba crop.jpg, Sendan Kendatsuba (or Candana Gandharva) is depicted using his ''trishula'' to kill evil animals and demons in the set of five paintings '' Extermination of Evil''.

See also

*Kaumodaki
* Pitchfork
* Sai (weapon)
* Tekpi
* Thyrsus
* Trident
* Tryzub
* Columns of Gediminas

References

External links

*

{{Pole weapons

Weapons in Hindu mythology
Weapons in Buddhist mythology
Hindu symbols
Heraldic charges
Indian melee weapons
Weapons of India
Buddhist ritual implements
Spears
Indian iconography
Tridents