Item: Worldly Protector (Buddhist) - Lha Chenpo

Maha Deva (Tibetan: lha chen po, English: Great God): also known as Shiva - emanation of Avalokiteshvara.

"...Great God, Ishvara, with a body red in colour, like ruby, blazing with light. Having one face, two hands and three eyes, charming and passionate in appearance. In the right [hand] holding aloft a hook to gather the Three Realms and the left a lasso of wind. The hair is bound in a tuft decorated with a crescent moon. Adorned with silks and jewels, naked with a red linga, engorged and erect. The right leg is bent and the left extended in a standing posture. Embraced by the consort, Uma Devi, bright red, beautiful and affectionate. The right [hand] holds a conch shell vessel to the Father and the left a hook; adorned with jewels..." (Min-ling Lochen Dharmashri, 1654-1718. Tibetan source text part II, pp.364-365).

Bright red in colour with one face and two hands he is slightly fierce with three eyes and partially exposed canine teeth. The right hand holds upraised a hook, ornate and red, in the shape of an elephant goad decorated with jewels. The left holds outstretched an engorged red phallus and gold lasso. Adorned with a crown of gold and jewels, earrings and necklace he wears an orange and yellow scarf and a long garland of red flowers. The consort in similar appearance holds up a gold vase in the right hand and a mirror in the left, the shoulders covered with a blue scarf. Standing above a sun and moon disc atop a red lotus blossom they are surrounded by the subdued orange flames of pristine awareness. Arranged in front are rows of variously coloured wishing jewels, precious objects and bolts of cloth presented as an auspicious offering.

Above, wreathed in the flames of pristine awareness, atop a red lotus blossom is the powerful Guru Rinpoche, Padmasambhava, red in colour, holding aloft in the right hand a black vajra sceptre. The left holds to the side a three pointed katvanga staff. Adorned with the lotus hat, earrings, necklace and a garland of heads he wears the robes of the Three Vehicles standing atop a corpse and sun disc.

"To the discerning pristine awareness body of all conquerors, emanation body of compassion of the powerful Avalokiteshvara, benevolent Lord of the World; Mahadeva together with consort, Uma, I pay homage." (Nyingma liturgical verse).

The practice of Mahadeva is a Revealed Treasure teaching (Tib.: Terma) unique to the Nyingmapa School.

Jeff Watt 10-98

Reverse of Painting
English Translation of Inscription: (Four line verse).

Special Features: (Cursive script (Umay))

Thematic Sets
Subject: Ithyphallic Art
Iconography: Eleven Types of Deities by Appearance
Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara (Non-standard Forms)
Subject: Avalokiteshvara Hindu Adaptations (Wrathful)
Subject: Deity Colours - Red (Powerful Activities)
Subject: Couples in Himalayan Style Art
Buddhist Deity: Avalokiteshvara (Wrathful/Semi Forms)
Subject: Protectors - Worldly Protectors Considered Wisdom Deities
Subject: Controversial Art Main Page
Buddhist Worldly Protector: Lha Chenpo (Masterworks)
Buddhist Worldly Protector: Lha Chenpo Art History
Hindu Deity: Shiva Iconography (Buddhist)
Buddhist Worldly Protector: Lha Chenpo Main Page
Subject: Protector Deities Main Page (All Traditions)
Buddhist Worldly Protector: Lha Chenpo Iconography
Collection of RMA: Iconographically Rare Works
Buddhist Deity: Lokeshvara (Related Deities)
Buddhist Worldly Protector: Lha Chenpo History
Buddhist Protectors, Worldly Deities (Lokapala)
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art: Painting Gallery 3
Buddhist Protectors: Worldly (Nyingma)