In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram (shaivism)

Kartarīdhara (कर्तरीधर) refers to “one who holds a dagger” and represents one of the attributes of Svacchanda, according to the Śrīmatottara-tantra, an expansion of the Kubjikāmatatantra: the earliest popular and most authoritative Tantra of the Kubjikā cult. Accordingly, “O goddess, Svacchanda is in the middle, within the abode of the triangle. Very powerful, he has five faces with three times five flaming eyes. [...] O fair lady, my attributes—trident, dagger [i.e., kartarīdhara], sword, the king of the snakes, and rosary—adorn the right (arms). O beloved, a skull, double-headed drum, javelin, noose and goad—(these) are my divine, brilliant and very auspicious weapons that (are held) in the left (hands). The king of snakes (hangs) on the shoulder and a garland of skulls hangs (from the neck). There is a necklace of scorpions around the throat and the ears are adorned with snakes. [...]”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: Google Books: Medieval Rule in Tibet

Kartarīdhara (कर्तरीधर) is the name of a Dharmapāla displayed on the sixth tier of the bkra shis sgo mang Stupa erected by Kun dga’ rin chen.—The outline of the sixth tier shows eight Nāgarāja located at the quarters. [...] The bkra shis sgo mang Stupa erected by Kun dga’ rin chen at ’Bri gung has, however, some significant changes which is of importance regarding surviving fragments. He introduced some new Dharmapālas in the iconographic programme of the Stupa he commissioned: [e.g., Kartarīdhara Mahākāla].

context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kartari, Dhara.

Relevant text

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