The Khaṭvāṅga of the Pallavas
By C. Minakshi
Summary
The Khatvanga, a distinctive club or staff topped with two skulls and adorned with 15 symbols, served as a significant emblem for the Pallava dynasty, particularly among Shaivite ascetics and the staunch Shaiva supporters of Simhavishnu’s successors. The Khatvanga symbolized royal authority, as evidenced by the Kasakudi plates of Nandivarman Pallava Malla, which describe it as his royal insignia. The Kendur plates further note that the Chalukyan king Vikramaditya II seized the Khatvanga and another Pallava weapon, the Katumukha, during his invasion. Sculptural representations of the Khatvanga are rare but notable; the Vaikunthaperumal temple in Kancipuram lacks a clear depiction despite textual references, while the Kailasanatha temple in Kancipuram features a Gana (divine attendant) bearing a Khatvanga with four visible skulls entwined by a serpent. Scholars like M. Alexander Rea and K. Gopinatha Rao have analyzed its iconography, with Gopinatha Rao describing it as a bone-made weapon with skulls attached. The Tirumangaimannan verses from the Vaikunthaperumal temple indirectly reference the Khatvanga through its serpent motif, dispelling earlier misinterpretations linking it to a necklace. The Khatvanga’s evolution from an ancient bone shaft to a wooden-handled version in later periods underscores its enduring cultural and religious significance.
Conclusion
The Khatvanga's significance extends beyond its role as a royal insignia, embodying the Pallavas' fusion of Saiva devotion and political authority. Its depiction in temple sculptures, particularly at Kailasanatha, underscores its sacred symbolism, linking the weapon to Siva and reinforcing the dynasty's religious legitimacy. The Khatvanga's evolution from a bone-and-skull club to a symbol represented in poetry and art reflects its enduring cultural resonance. This study highlights how the Pallavas transformed a functional weapon into a multifaceted emblem of power, spirituality, and artistic expression, leaving a lasting imprint on South Indian iconography and royal tradition.