Iron Chain

Skt., srinkhala
Tib., lcags-thag

A device meant to bind, chain, and subdue enemies of the religion, the (iron) chain is carried by a number of protective deities and Dakinis . . . of the Tibetan pantheon. A specialty is the chain with two half vajra/dorje symbols at its ends, which has given the name Vajrashrinkala to the deity carrying it.

	Sanskrit	Tibetan
chain with half a vajra/dorje at each end	vajrasrinkala	rdo-rje lcags-thag
small chain of black color		lu-gu-rgyud
chain of iron		lcags-sgrog
alternative Sanskrit name for chain	phota