Indian
Vajra
Vajra (वज्र)
Unbreakable as diamond and striking like lightning. It slew Vritra, the serpent of drought.
WeaponFirst recorded c. 1200 BCE
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Photograph: A gold earring from the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, seventeenth or eighteenth century. Red and blue gems set in a gold wire framework show Vishnu riding the bird Garuda, with pearls and gold disks hanging below.
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2,249 × 3,000 PX2249×3000
ArchiveIndian · Armor
Kavacha and Kundala
Kavacha & Kundala (कवच कुण्डल)
Golden armor and earrings one with his body. While he wears them, Karna cannot die.
- Owner
- The hero Karna
- Maker
- Surya, god of the sun
- First record
- Mahabharatac. 300 BCE
- Gallery
- Indian
Notes on the photograph 3
Story
While still a maiden, Kunti called on the sun god Surya with a spell she had received, and bore a son. The child Karna was born wearing golden armor and earrings attached to his body, and while he had them no one could kill him.
Before the great war of Kurukshetra, Indra, king of the gods and father of Arjuna, disguised himself as a Brahmin and went to Karna. Karna was famous for giving whatever anyone asked.
Surya warned him in a dream, but Karna cut the armor and earrings from his own skin and handed them to Indra. Moved, Indra gave him a spear he could use only once. Karna's generosity is still praised in India today.
The object in the photo
The photograph shows Earring with Vishnu Riding Garuda(Nepal, Kathmandu Valley, 1600s or 1700s), a real museum object that evokes the legendary artifact.
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