(“battle-axe”) In
Hindu imagery, this is a common item with a variety of handles and
heads—sometimes with a very light, thin handle and a bigger head, and other
times with a club-sized handle (gada) and a very tiny, thin head.
This weapon is most closely associated with Parashuram,
Vishnu's sixth avatar or incarnation, who utilizes it in his extermination war
against the ruling kshatriya class when their pride becomes too powerful.
The deity Ganesh is often shown with a battle-axe, which
represents his ability to cut through barriers and restrictions.
It also often appears as one of the deities Shiva, Vishnu,
and the Goddess's many weapons in different representations.
Discover more about Hindu Art, Architecture, and Iconography here.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
