Chandiprakasha

(“effulgence of Chandi”) Name given to
the spear that is the symbolic weapon of
the Atala akhara, a particular group
within the Naga class of Dashanami
Sanyasis. The Dashanami Nagas are
devotees (bhakta) of the god Shiva,
organized into different akharas, or regiments, on the model of an army. Until
the beginning of the nineteenth century,
the Nagas’ primary occupation was as
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Chandas
mercenary soldiers, although they also
had substantial trading interests. These
functions have largely disappeared in
contemporary times. All of the akharas
have certain symbols that signify
their organizational identity, and the
Atala akhara is represented by this
particular spear.