The upper right-hand carries a flaming sword, signifying continuous spiritual practice, while the upper left-hand holds a trident, dispelling ignorance, attachment, and aversion.

Mahakala, the archetype and protector, can be of essential help, like a fearsome warrior ally if one chooses to wage war with one's ego and negative aspects in the process of opening up the Buddha-nature, which is the non-ego, non-self, non-soul, pure and omniscient "clear light" nature of all beings. The wrathful form of Mahakala is compassion personified and expressed as the power that can be harnessed and turned against the incredibly wily, stubborn, subtle, and stealthy enemy–the self-inflicted ego.