The Vajra (Sanskrit: वज्र, lit. ’Thunderbolt’, IAST: Vajra) is a legendary and ritualistic tool, symbolizing the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force).
Vajra of Lord Indra
In Hinduism, Vajra is associated with the god Indra and is considered one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.
The might of Vajra, made by Vishwakarma, is explained on Rig Veda 1.32.7,
अ॒पाद॑ह॒स्तो अ॑पृतन्य॒दिन्द्र॒मास्य॒ वज्र॒मधि॒ सानौ॑ जघान ।
वृष्णो॒ वध्रि॑: प्रति॒मानं॒ बुभू॑षन्पुरु॒त्रा वृ॒त्रो अ॑शय॒द्व्य॑स्तः ॥
Meaning: Having neither hand nor foot, he defied Indra, who struck him with the thunderbolt upon his mountain-like shoulder, like one emasculated who pretends to be virility. Vṛtra, mutilated by many members, slept.
The vajra is a club-like weapon used by Indra, the king of the Vedic gods and heaven. It has a spherical head with ribs, which can either end in sharp points for stabbing or meet in a ball-shaped top.
The ribs on the vajra make it a unique and powerful weapon often associated with lightning and thunder, representing the power of the gods. It is indestructible and can cut through anything, including mountains and diamonds.
