Trishula: Difference between revisions

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| image              = Statue of lord shiva.jpg
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| caption            = Statue of [[Shiva]] holding a trishula at [[Surveshwar Mahadev Statue]] in Sursagar Lake, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
| caption            = Statue of [[Shiva]] holding a trishula in Haridwar, India.
| type              = Trident
| type              = Trident
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| is_bladed          = Yes
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'''Trishula''' ({{lang-sa|triśūla}}) is a [[trident]], a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rysdyk|first=Evelyn C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8VWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT84|title=The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World|date=2019-02-19|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-62055-795-2|language=en}}</ref> In India and Thailand, the term also often refers to a short-handled weapon which may be mounted on a ''daṇḍa'' "[[quarterstaff|staff]]". Unlike the [[sai (weapon)|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]]''.
'''Trishula''' ([[Sanskrit]]: त्रिशूल, [[IAST]]: triśūla) or '''trishul''' is a [[trident]], a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Sanatana Dharma.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rysdyk|first=Evelyn C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u8VWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT84|title=The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World|date=2019-02-19|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-1-62055-795-2|language=en}}</ref> In India and Thailand, the term also often refers to a short-handled weapon which may be mounted on a ''daṇḍa'' ({{lang-sa|दण्ड}}, meaning '[[Quarterstaff|staff]]'). Unlike the [[sai (weapon)|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 ==
== Etymology ==
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==Other uses==
==Other uses==
1.According to '''''Shiva Puran''''', Shiva is ''swayambhu'', self created, born of his volitions. He emerges as a direct incarnation of Sadashiv and has ''trishula'' from the very beginning.
# According to '''''Shiva Puran''''', Shiva is ''swayambhu'', self created, born of his volitions. He emerges as a direct incarnation of Sadashiv and has ''trishula'' from the very beginning.
 
# According to '''''Vishnu Puran''''', Vishwakarma created the ''trishula'' using the matter from the sun and gave it to Shiva. When Suryadev married Sanjana, the daughter of Vishwakarma, his wife soon became unhappy with married life due to the unbearable heat of her husband Surya. She complained to Vishwakarma, who agreed to solve the problem. Her father came to an arrangement whereby Surya agreed to reduce his heat to accommodate Sanjana. The solar matter fell to the earth, reducing his heat by {{frac|1|8}}. That material was then used to make Trishul.
2.According to '''''Vishnu Puran''''', Surya married Sanjana, the daughter of Vishwakarma. However, Sanjana soon became unhappy with her married life, due to the unbearable heat emanating from Surya. She complained to Viswakarma, 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 Viswakarma to create the Trishula for Shiva, Sudarshana Chakra for Vishnu and Pushpaka Vimana for Brahma.
# Trishula can sometimes also designate the Buddhist symbol of the [[triratna]].
 
# 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.
3.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 language|Romani]] word for '[[cross]]'.
 
# '''Trisula''' is the name of {{interlanguage link|Operation Trishula|lt=a 1968 operation|id|Operasi Trisula}} by the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|ABRI]] to finish off remnants of the [[Communist Party of Indonesia|PKI]] in southern [[Blitar]].
4.A similar word, ''Trishel'', is the [[Romani language|Romani]] word for '[[cross]]'.
 
5.'''Trisula''' is the name of {{interlanguage link|Operation Trishula|lt=a 1968 operation|id|Operasi Trisula}} by the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|ABRI]] to finish off remnants of the [[Communist Party of Indonesia|PKI]] in southern [[Blitar]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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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|Dharamsala]], [[Himachal Pradesh]].
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|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"<ref>[http://www.watarun.org/index_en.html Wat Arun The trident of Shiv extends from the top of each tower.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628233856/http://www.watarun.org/index_en.html |date=2007-06-28 }}</ref>
File:Wat-Arun-menorah-8845.jpg|A seven-pronged ''trishula'' on top of [[Wat Arun]], also known as the "trident of Shiva"<ref>[http://www.watarun.org/index_en.html Wat Arun The trident of Shiv extends from the top of each tower.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070628233856/http://www.watarun.org/index_en.html |date=2007-06-28 }}</ref>
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: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]]''.
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]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>
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*[[Trident]]
*[[Trident]]
*[[Tryzub]]
*[[Tryzub]]
*[[Columns of Gediminas]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Spears]]
[[Category:Spears]]
[[Category:Indian iconography]]
[[Category:Indian iconography]]
[[Category:National symbols of India]]

Revision as of 02:56, 28 July 2022


This article is about the trident. For other uses, see Trishul.
Trishula
Statue of lord shiva.jpg
Statue of Shiva holding a trishula in Haridwar, India.
TypeTrident
Place of originIndia

Trishula (Sanskrit: त्रिशूल, IAST: triśūla) or trishul is a trident, a divine symbol, commonly used as one of the principal symbols in Sanatana Dharma.[1] In India and Thailand, the term also often refers to a short-handled weapon which may be mounted on a daṇḍa (Sanskrit: दण्ड, meaning '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.[2]

Symbolism

The trishula symbolism is polyvalent and rich.[citation needed] 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 the Sanatana Dharma, 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.[citation needed]

Other uses

  1. According to Shiva Puran, Shiva is swayambhu, self created, born of his volitions. He emerges as a direct incarnation of Sadashiv and has trishula from the very beginning.
  2. According to Vishnu Puran, Vishwakarma created the trishula using the matter from the sun and gave it to Shiva. When Suryadev married Sanjana, the daughter of Vishwakarma, his wife soon became unhappy with married life due to the unbearable heat of her husband Surya. She complained to Vishwakarma, who agreed to solve the problem. Her father came to an arrangement whereby Surya agreed to reduce his heat to accommodate Sanjana. The solar matter fell to the earth, reducing his heat by ​1⁄8. That material was then used to make Trishul.
  3. Trishula can sometimes also designate the Buddhist symbol of the triratna.
  4. 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.
  5. A similar word, Trishel, is the Romani word for 'cross'.
  6. Trisula is the name of a 1968 operation [id] by the ABRI to finish off remnants of the PKI in southern Blitar.

Gallery

  • Shiva's trishula with damaru.

    Shiva's trishula with damaru.

  • Trishula brought as offerings to Guna Devi, near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

    Trishula brought as offerings to Guna Devi, near Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

  • A seven-pronged trishula on top of Wat Arun, also known as the "trident of Shiva"[3]

    A seven-pronged trishula on top of Wat Arun, also known as the "trident of Shiva"[3]

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

    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

References

  1. ↑ Rysdyk, Evelyn C. (2019-02-19). The Nepalese Shamanic Path: Practices for Negotiating the Spirit World. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-62055-795-2.
  2. ↑ Monier–Williams, M. A. (1872). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged. London: MacMillan and Co., Publishers to the University, and W. H. Allen and Co.
  3. ↑ Wat Arun The trident of Shiv extends from the top of each tower. Archived 2007-06-28 at the Wayback Machine

External links

Template:Indonesian Weapons Template:Pole weapons

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