Spike symbol indicates a ritual to control evil spirits

Vajra kila

Most of what is known of the Indian kīla lore has come by way of Tibetan culture. The term (vajra)kīlaya is frequently found in Sanskrit texts (as well as in virtually every kīlamantra) legitimately used as the verb ‘to spike,’ ‘transfix,’ ‘nail down,’ etc. (1)

Ritual usage

One of the principal methods of working with the vajra kila is to pierce the earth with it,  or as is common with Himalayan shamanic traditions, penetrate it vertically, point down into a basket, bowl or cache of rice.

The Kila is used as a ritual implement to signify stability on a prayer ground during ceremonies, and only those initiated in its use, or otherwise empowered, may wield it. The energy of the Kila is fierce, wrathful, piercing, affixing, transfixing. Therefore, the Kila is not a physical weapon but a spiritual implement and should be regarded as such. (2)

The above-given seal inscription shows a spike ritual was carried out at a ‘crossroads’ junction.

In the above-given seal inscription, the spike symbol is followed by the dangerous god’s symbol, which shows the magic nature of Vajra Kila. Kila was used to control the evil spirits and evil gods.

Bibliography

1. Boord, Martin. Cult of the Deity Vajrakila. Institute of Buddhist Studies. . 1993. ISBN 0-9515424-3-5..

2. Wikipedia(Phurba). Phurba. Wikipedia.org. [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phurba.