6 Armed Dharmapala Mahakala
In Hinduism, Lord Mahakala is a roopa (form) of Vishnu; while In Buddhism, He is a manifestation of both Shiva and Vishnu. More importantly, however, Mahakala is a Tantric deity. The thangka that you see on this page captures Him in all His wrath and glory. He is possessed of six arms, one of which is a trishoola (trident - Shaivite symbolism).
Each detail of the Mahakala iconography has been distinguished and executed with remarkable skill on the part of the artisan. Note the high-precision brushwork found in the multitude of sashes descending from Mahakala’s hips and the halo of black and gold that frames His head. The surrounding landscape is executed in muted natural shades, indicative of dusk.
Mahakala looks wrathful and is bedecked with serpents. He wears a garland of severed heads and a crown of five skulls , which represents five poisons of delusions namely lust , hatred , ignorance , pride and jealousy transformed into the wisdom of five Buddhas . His right hand holds a kartri symbolizing that he has cut off ego , clinging , and attachment . His left hand holds a kapala filled with blood symbolizing the subjugation of the evil . Since , there are many forms of Mahakala such as two armed , four armed and multiple armed ; the deity holds different objects according to it’s different manifestations . He also wears a tiger skin symbolizing the purification of desires . He has three eyes symbolizing his clear comprehension of Three times . He looks ferocious against a background of blazing fire .
~ Six-armed Mahakala, a wrathful emanation of the Great Compassionate One, Arya Avalokiteshvara, a dharmapala whose transmission originated with the Indian Mahasiddha Shavaripa.
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Size: 18"/ 46 cm (width) x 25"/ 63 cm (height)
Materials: Cotton Canvas, Acrylic Colors, Genuine 24K Gold
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THIS THANGKA IS HAND-PAINTED IN THE TRADITIONAL STYLE AND THE QUALITY IS HIGH
