Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom

Manjushri and his counterpart, Prajnaparamita, the wisdom goddess, are understood as personifications of awakened knowledge. Both display the palm-leaf manuscript (pustaka) as their principal identifier. Manjushri wields a sword, symbolizing the cutting away of all impediments to enlightenment. Here the blade is missing, but the hilt is visible in the projecting hand.