Skt., parashu
Tib., dGra-sta
In the often crowded and small drawings that show deities and their attibutes, it is hardly possible to discriminate between the axe and the hammer. Since they also have the same function and symbolism, both weapons indicate Tantric manifestations and are an attribute of the protectors of religion such as the Dharmapala, it is useful to describe and show them together.
The Tibetan form of the battle axe looks like a kartrika that has been mounted on a stick in order to wield it, and its ends are often surmounted by two halfs of a dorje.
The Indian version looks quite different and is a weapon carried by such deities as Chamunda, Mahakala, Shiva and Skanda.
Now the Tibetan hammer looks much like the Indian axe, and the only visial help one really gets is in the case when the tho-ba is adorned with two halves of a dorje (at top and in the back). Another possible identification is that the rounded part (of the axe blade) is square (as in most hammers).
| Sanskrit | Tibetan | |
| special form of battle axe wielded by dBal deities | dbal-gyi dgra-sta | |
| simple axe mainly used as tool, sometimes as weapon | kuthara |