Item: Mahakala (Buddhist Protector) - Chaturmukha (Four-Faced)
| Origin Location | Tibet |
|---|---|
| Date Range | 1500 - 1599 |
| Lineages | Sakya and Buddhist |
| Size | 65x54cm (25.59x21.26in) |
| Material | Ground Mineral Pigment on Cotton |
| Collection | Private |
Classification: Deity
Appearance: Wrathful
Gender: Male
Mahakala, Chaturmukha (Four-faced Great Black One) associated with the Guhyasamaja Tantra along with the Twenty-five and Fifty Chapter Mahakala Tantras.
Video: HAR #200680 (HAR on Patreon)
(See the Chaturmukha Mahakala Main Page and the Brahmanarupa Mahakala Outline Page).
There are a number of different forms for Chaturmukha which represent different activities and functions. This form of the deity is the 'Approximation' Chaturmukha identified by the two green faces on the right and left sides of the central blue face. Four wrathful goddesses acting as messengers accompany Mahakala. At the upper left side is yellow Singali, naked and dancing. Below that is blue Dombini. At the lower right side is green Chandali. In the lower foreground is red Rakshasi. All are naked and hold a curved knife and skullcup in the right and left hands.
Short History: When the great Tibetan Translator Nyen Lotsawa received the Manjuvajra Guhyasamaja (also known as the Jnanapada Lineage) empowerment from the dakini Risula, she also bestowed the initiation of the Mahakala (Chaturmukha) in the special form according to the Guhyasamaja Tantra. At this time she gave him as a servant a dark skinned Brahman. When Nyen Lotsawa and the Brahman reached Nepal the servant changed appearance and took on the form of a monk, an appearance more conducive for travelling in Tibet. After the passing of Nyen Lotsawa the monk remained with Lama Nam Ka'upa and then later with Sachen Kunga Nyingpo.
Jeff Watt [updated 6-2022]
Publication History:
Béguin, Gilles, Dieux et démons de l'Himâlaya, Réunion des musées nationaux, Paris, 1977, p. 174, 180, n° 195.
Béguin, Gilles, Art ésotérique de Himâlaya. Paris : Réunion des musées nationaux, 1990, Annexe : Loaned objects, p. 180, n° I.
Béguin, Gilles, Le Tibet de Jean Mansion. Paris : Edition Findakly, 1994, cat. 18, pl. VII.
Lauf, Detlef Ingo, Das Bilt als Symbol im Trantismus, Moos Verlag, Munchen, 1973, p. 61, ill. 64.
Martin du Gard, Irène, « Une peinture d’offrande à dPal-ldan dmag-zor rgual-ma », Arts Asiatiques, t. XI, 1985, p. 68-82.
Pal, Pratapaditya, Tibetan Paintings, Ravi Kumar Basilius Presse, Basel, Sotheby's Publications, London, 1984, pl. LXXIX.
Mahakala: Chaturmukha, Early Works
Mahakala: Chaturmukha (Four-faced) Main Page
Mahakala: Chaturmukha (Four-faced, Masterworks)