Category: Ritual Objects | Tradition: Vajrayana Buddhism and Hinduism | Origin: Nepal, India, and Tibet
Other names: Sanskrit: ḍamaru (डमरु), pronounced DAH-mah-roo | Tibetan: damaru or changteu (ཅང་ཏེའུ་) | also called ritual hand drum or hourglass drum
A damaru is a small, two-headed hand drum shaped like an hourglass, played by twisting the wrist so that two small beads or knots swing on cords and strike the drumheads. It is one of the oldest ritual instruments of India and the Himalayas, and it is used in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism the damaru is a key instrument of tantric practice, where its sound stands for emptiness, awakening and the call to practice. This guide explains what a damaru is, where it comes from, what it symbolizes, how it is played and used, and how to care for one.
What Is a Damaru?
A damaru is made of two small cup-shaped halves joined at their narrow ends to form an hourglass. Each open end is covered with a stretched skin, and the two skins are held in place by cords or bands. Two short cords, each with a small bead or knot at the end, hang from the waist of the drum. When the drum is held in one hand at the waist and rotated back and forth, the beads swing out and strike the skins, producing a quick, rattling rhythm.
Damarus are made in several sizes, from small drums that fit in the palm to larger ones used in special practices. Many are decorated with carving, painted or covered with cloth, and some carry a strip of brocade or a silk streamer tied at the waist. The sound is bright and dry, quite different from a large drum, and because the drum is held in one hand, the other hand is free to hold a bell or another ritual object during practice.
The Parts of a Damaru
Although a damaru is small, it is made of several parts that work together to produce its sound.
• Drum body: the hollow, hourglass-shaped body, usually carved from wood. It supports the heads and helps the sound to resonate.
• Drumheads: two thin skins stretched over the open ends of the body, traditionally animal hide. They vibrate when struck, which makes the sound.
• Tensioning cords: the cord or leather strips that hold the heads on the body. How they are fastened varies from one design to another.
• Waist: the narrow middle section where the two halves meet. It gives the damaru its hourglass shape and provides a comfortable place to hold the drum.
• Striker cords: two short cords attached near the waist, which swing outward when the wrist is turned.
• Striker knots or beads: the knots, beads or weighted ends at the tips of the cords, which strike the heads as the drum rotates.
• Silk tail and decoration: many damarus have a silk or brocade tail hanging from the waist, and some have a fabric cover, ribbons or tassels. These parts are decorative and optional.
• Cotton case: many damarus are kept in a cotton case, which protects the drum from dust and moisture when it is not in use.
A skull damaru has the same working parts, with two cranial sections forming the body and the heads fitted over their openings. The sections are joined and fastened with other materials, and the drum may be decorated with metal fittings, cloth or stones. The exact construction depends on the region and the ritual tradition. Our damarus are shipped with a silk tail and a cotton case.
Where the Damaru Comes From
The damaru began in ancient India. In Hindu tradition it is closely linked with the god Shiva, who is often shown holding a small drum in one of his hands. The sound of Shiva's damaru is said to be the sound of creation, from which the rhythms and the sacred syllables of the world arise. Wandering holy men and ritual specialists have carried the damaru in India and Nepal for many centuries.
Buddhism took up the damaru as a tool of tantric practice, and in Tibetan Buddhism it became one of the main instruments of the Vajrayana. A well-known use is in the Chöd practice, in which a practitioner plays a damaru, often with a bell, while reciting a liturgy that offers one's own body as a gift. Over the centuries, Himalayan craftspeople developed the forms of the damaru that are used today, in wood and in other materials.
What a Damaru Symbolizes
The damaru is a teaching tool, and its shape and sound carry several meanings.
• Emptiness: the sound of the drum arises and fades without leaving anything behind, and it is often compared to the way all things arise from emptiness and return to it.
• Method and wisdom: the two halves of the drum, joined at the waist, are often explained as method and wisdom, which are meant to be held together in practice.
• The call to awaken: the rhythm of the drum is used to call the attention of the mind, and in some practices to invite the deities and to summon those who are to receive an offering.
• Impermanence: a drumbeat is gone as soon as it is heard, which is a reminder that all things pass.
Interpretations differ between lineages and teachers, so this is a general overview and not the only explanation.
How a Damaru Is Played and Used
The damaru is held in one hand at the waist of the drum, usually the right hand, and the wrist is rotated quickly back and forth, so that the beads strike the two skins in turn. Slow turns make a soft, spaced rhythm, and faster turns make a rattling roll. The player can change the pace, the force and the pattern, and the rhythm is often matched to the words of the liturgy. A good player produces a steady, even sound that does not break the flow of the practice.
In Tibetan Buddhism, the damaru is used in tantric ceremonies, in puja, and in the Chöd practice, where it is played together with a bell. The exact way it is used depends on the lineage and the practice, so it is best to learn it from a qualified teacher. On a home altar, many people keep a damaru as a sacred object and as a piece of Himalayan sacred art, and some play it gently as part of their daily practice.
Types of Damaru
Damarus come in several forms, and knowing the differences helps when choosing one.
• Small hand damaru: this is the common hourglass drum, small enough to be held in one hand. It is usually carved from wood, with two stretched skin heads and a pair of cords with beads or knots. Its light, dry sound suits daily practice, and its size makes it easy to keep on an altar or to carry. Many people choose this form as their first damaru.
• Chöd damaru: this is a larger drum made for the Chöd practice, in which it is played together with a bell. Because of its size, it usually has a deeper, fuller sound than the small hand damaru. Many are covered in cloth or brocade and have a hanging brocade tail. Practitioners of this tradition may prefer a particular size or sound, so it is best to ask your teacher before choosing one.
• Skull damaru: this is a specialized ritual form, traditionally made from two cranial sections joined together, and it is linked with particular tantric practices and with the same symbolism as the kapala. It is not needed for general practice, prayer or meditation. Where human remains are involved, ethical sourcing, cultural respect and the law are important considerations. Modern drums that follow the skull form are made from wood, resin or other materials.
• Decorated damaru: this is a damaru that has been carved, painted or covered with cloth, sometimes with metal bands, a brocade streamer or set stones. The decoration often includes auspicious patterns and symbols, which make the drum a piece of sacred art as well as an instrument. These drums are popular for altars and collections, and many can still be played. If you want to play one regularly, ask the maker whether the decoration affects the sound.
Names and forms differ between regions and workshops, so this is a general guide.
Materials and Craftsmanship
A damaru is traditionally made from several natural materials. The body is usually carved or turned from a lightweight, workable wood into two bowl-shaped halves joined at the waist. The two heads are made of stretched animal hide, such as goat or sheep skin, depending on regional practice, and they are held and tensioned with leather strips or cotton cord. Two short cords with knots, beads or weighted ends serve as the strikers. Many drums are covered with silk, cotton or brocade, with a hanging cloth tail, and some have fittings or bands of brass, copper or silver. Elaborate damarus may be decorated with turquoise, coral or imitation stones, or with painted designs, although these are decorations and not essential parts of the drum. Modern drums sometimes use synthetic cord or membrane. Handcrafted damarus are shaped, assembled and finished by hand, so small differences between drums are natural, and each drum has its own sound.
Read more: What Is a Damaru Made Of? | How Is a Damaru Made?
Care and Placement
Place your damaru on a clean, raised altar or shelf, and avoid setting it on the floor. Because the heads are made of skin, the drum is sensitive to moisture and heat, so keep it away from damp areas, direct sunlight and strong heat, which can loosen or tighten the skins and change the sound.
Handle the damaru gently, holding it by the waist and not by the beads or cords, and do not press on the heads. Dust it with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid water and cleaning liquids, which can damage the skin and the wood. When you play it, turn the wrist gently, since hard or sudden turns can wear the cords and the beads.
When the drum is not in use, store it in its cotton case, in a dry place, and do not hang it by the beads. Check the cords and the knots from time to time, and replace them if they begin to fray. Handle the drum with clean hands and treat it with respect, as you would any sacred object.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a damaru?
A damaru is a small, two-headed hourglass drum played by twisting the wrist so that two beads on cords strike the heads. It is used in Hindu and Buddhist ritual.
What is a damaru used for in Tibetan Buddhism?
It is used in tantric ceremonies, in puja, and especially in the Chöd practice, where it is played with a bell. At home, many people keep it as a sacred object.
Is the damaru used only in Buddhism?
No. It began in India and is closely linked with the god Shiva in Hindu tradition. Buddhism took it up as a tool of tantric practice.
Are all damarus made from human skull?
No. Most damarus are made of wood, and a skull damaru is a specialized ritual instrument linked with particular tantric practices. It is not needed for general Buddhist prayer or meditation. Where human remains are involved, ethical sourcing, cultural respect and the law are important considerations.
What does the damaru symbolize?
Its sound is often compared to emptiness, its two halves to method and wisdom, and its rhythm to the call to awaken. It is also a reminder of impermanence.
How do you play a damaru?
Hold it in one hand at the waist and rotate the wrist back and forth so that the beads strike the two heads. Slow turns make a spaced rhythm and fast turns make a roll.
Can I keep a damaru at home?
Yes. Many people keep one on a home altar or as a piece of sacred art. It is best placed in a clean, dry, raised spot. To use it in practice, it is best to learn from a qualified teacher.
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