Item: Indian Adept (siddha) - Dombi Heruka

Dombi Heruka, Mahasiddha: the Indian master of Tantric methods from the group of Eighty-four famous mahasiddhas. The iconography for this siddha is based on a text by Jonang Taranata in the early 17th century. The painting belongs to a set of compositions of unknown number that depict the early and later incarnations of the Tai Situpa lineage.

Dombi Heruka and consort, in mahasiddha appearance, ride atop a pregnant tigress holding snake whips and skullcups. Dombi Heruka and Kanha were the two principle students of mahasiddha Virupa. Kanha received the gradual method 'Path and Result' (Lamdre) and Dombi Heruka received the 'Sudden Enlightenment' Path and Result (Lamdre).

At the upper left is a mahasddha figure accompanied by two female attendants. At the lower right is a red Heruka figure from the Tantric cycle known as the Lama Gongdu.

At the lower left is a narrative scene which relates to the life story of Dombi Heruka and his consort.

Jeff Watt 6-2014