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{{Short description|Buddhist ceremonial flaying knife}}
[[File:Clevelandart 1978.9.3.jpg|thumb|''Kartika'' flaying knife, with [[vajra]] handle, made in [[Beijing]] in 1407]]
{{Tibetan Buddhism}}
A '''kartika''' or '''drigug''' ({{langx|sa|kartari}}; {{bo|w=gri-gug|t=གྲི་གུག་}},{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=112}} or ''kartrika'' in Nepal{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2004|p=327}}) is a small, crescent-shaped, hand-held ritual [[flaying]] knife used in the [[tantra techniques (Vajrayana)|tantric]] ceremonies of [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]]. The kartari is said to be "one of the quintessential attributes of the [[fierce deities|wrathful Tantric deities]]".{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2004|p=356}} It is commonly known as the "knife of the [[dakini]]s".{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=112}} Its shape is similar to the Inuit [[ulu]] or woman's knife, which is used for many things including cleaning skins.

While the kartika is normally held in the right hand of a [[dakini]] in Vajrayana iconography and spiritual practice, occasionally it can be seen being held by esoteric male deities,{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=114}} such as certain forms of [[Yamantaka]].{{sfnp|Anon|2020}} It is also found frequently in the iconography of the [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] spiritual practice of [[Chöd]].

==Iconography==
In terms of iconography,

{{quote|The [[dakini]]'s knife has a flat sharpened blue iron blade with a curved hook at its outer extremity, which enables the flaying activities of cutting, scraping, and pulling. Its faceted or eight-sided handle is attached to the upper edge of the blade by either a leaf-shaped golden mount or the wide-open mouth of a golden [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|''makara'']], and the handle's top is sealed by a half-''[[vajra]]''.{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=114}} }}

The same way that the [[Ghanta|bell]] and [[vajra]] are usually paired ritual items in [[Vajrayana]] spiritual practice and iconography (one is held in the right hand and the other simultaneously held in the left), the kartika usually appears as a pair with the [[kapala]] (skull-cup), symbolizing the union of [[Tögal|wisdom]] (kartika) and [[Trekchö|method]] (kapala).{{sfnp|Harderwijk|2011}}

The shape of the kartika or drigug, with its crescent shape and the hook on the end, is derived from the shape of a traditional [[India]]n butcher's knife.{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2004|p=356}}

Depictions of [[Vajrayogini]] typically contain the kartika as one of her attributes. In the iconography of the enlightened [[dakini]]s and tantric female [[yidam]]s, it is common to find the hooked kartika knife in her right hand and the [[kapala|skull cup]] in her left, representing "the inseparable union of [[Wisdom#Buddhism|wisdom]] and [[Upaya|skillful means]]."{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2004|p=356}}

==Meanings==
As one author writes about the meaning of the kartika:{{quote|The traditional interpretation of the hook in Tibetan Buddhist imagery is that of the hook of compassion. It is the hook which pulls beings out of the cycles of transmigration. The hooked crescent-shaped knife of the dakini with its vajra handle pulls one forth from suffering, chops up the ego-centred self and is guided by the diamond clarity of the vajra.{{sfnp|Allione|1986|p=32}} }}

The kartika is used to symbolize the severance of all material and worldly bonds and is often crowned with a [[vajra]], which is said to destroy ignorance, and thus leading to [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]]. Another more nuanced interpretation says that "the ''kartika'' represents the severing of the two [[Buddhist]] obscurations of defilements (''[[Kleshas (Buddhism)|klesha]] avarana'') and knowledge (''jneya avarana'') that obstruct the path of enlightenment".{{sfnp|Huntington|Bangdel|2004|p=356}}{{sfnp|Beyer|1973|p=111}}{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=114}} The kartika is also used to cut through human obscurations to progress on the spiritual path including "pride, lack of belief, lack of devotion, distraction, inattention, and boredom".{{sfnp|Beer|2003|p=114}}

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|File:Drigug (vajra Kartri) symbol.svg|[[Vajra]] kartari
|File:Vajrayogini from Thangka.jpg|[[Vajrayogini]] from [[thangka]], holding kartari in her right hand
|File:Kartika.jpg|Example of a miniature kartari worn as adornment in contemporary times
|File:Kartrika-MA 5211-IMG 8444-gradient.jpg|Quartz kartari on display at [[Guimet Museum]], 18-19th century
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|25em}}

===Works cited===
*{{cite book |last=Allione |first=Tsultrim |title=Women of Wisdom |publisher=Arkana |location=London |date=1986 |isbn=1-85063-044-5}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.yamantaka.org/ |title=About Yamantaka/Vajrabhairava |author=Anon |website=Yamataka.org |year=2020 |access-date=2021-07-26}}
*{{cite book |first=Robert |last=Beer |title=The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols |publisher=Shambhala |location=Boston |year=2003}}
*{{cite book |first=Stephen |last=Beyer |title=The Cult of Tara: Magic and Ritual in Tibet |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=University of California Press |year=1973}}
*{{cite web |url=http://viewonbuddhism.org/tantra_symbols.html |title=Tantric Symbols |last=Harderwijk |first=Rudy |website=A View on Buddhism |year=2011 |accessdate=2008-09-28}}
*{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Huntington |first2=Dina |last2=Bangdel |title=The Circle of Bliss: Buddhist Meditational Art, ''Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio'' |publisher=Serindia Publications |location=Chicago |year=2004}}


[[Category:Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements]]
[[Category:Weapons in Buddhist mythology]]
[[Category:Ritual weapons]]
[[Category:Vajrayana]]

Kartika (knife) - Revision history

WandaX39006: Made New Post With Sources