Item: Chakrasamvara (Buddhist Deity)

Chakrasamvara, Sahaja Heruka, with the footprints of Drigungpa Rinchen Pal on the right and left sides.

Tibetan: Khor lo dem chog

In the center of the composition is Chakrasamvara Sahaja Heruka, with one face and two hands, embracing the consort Vajravarahi, red in colour.

Descending vertically in the two outer registers are the Eight Great Siddhas. Beginning on the left are King Indrabhuti, with Virupa on one side and Lakshminkara on the other. Below that is Dombi Heruka riding atop a tiger with his consort. Below that is Saraha in a standing posture and holding a bow across the shoulders, accompanied by two consorts. Below that is Kukkuripa, holding a dog. Descending on the right are Nagarjuna seated on the right side of Shakyamuni Buddha with Atisha seated on the other side of the Buddha. All three are dressed in the robes of a monk. Below Nagarjuna is Luipa with both hands raised up and dressed in the attire of a mahasiddha. Below that is Padmavajra embracing a consort. Below that is Vajra Ghantapa, holding a vajra scepter and a bell.

In the top register, starting at the left corner, are Vajrasattva, Akshobhya Buddha, Vajradhara, Tilopa, Naropa, Pagmodrupa, Gampopa, Milarepa, Marpa, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Medicine Buddha.

In the second register, starting at the left, are Samaya Vajra, Gauri, Buddha Lochana, Mamaki and Samantabhadri. In the center of the row is Rinchen Drigungpa, the founder of the Drigung Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. Following in the row are Mohavajra, Dveshavajra, Matsaryavajra, Ragavajra, and Irshyavajra. Each of the ten female deities have three faces and six hands, and hold various attributes.

In the bottom register starting at the left are Chaturbhuja Mahakala, seated, with four hands, Yellow Jambhala, Amrita Kundali, Hayagriva holding a stick, Vajrapani holding a vajra scepter, Achala holding a sword, Ganapati with an elephant head and four hands, and Shri Devi with one face and four hands, riding a donkey.

There are four paintings with the same general composition two of which appear to be one copied from the other. See paintings 58301, 65205, 81410 and 81411.

Jeff Watt 6-2006

Front of Painting
Special Features: (footprints)

Thematic Sets
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara, Heruka (Couple, Painting)
Tradition: Kagyu Deity Paintings
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara Main Page
Collection: Christie's, Painting (March, 2003; NY)
Collection of RMA: Historically Important Works
Collection of Rubin Museum of Art (RMA): Main Page
Subject: Eight Siddhas In One Painting
Teacher: Jigten Sumgon Main Page
Painting Style: Indian (Drigung Subjects)
Teacher: Jigten Sumgon Footprints
Subject: Footprints & Handprints Main Page
Collection of RMA: Best of Collection 3
Tradition: Drigung Kagyu Main Page
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara, Heruka
Subject: Footprints (Chakrasamvara)
Subject: Footprints & Handprints (Kagyu)
Subject: Footprints & Handprints (Footprints Only)
Subject: Footprints & Handprints Masterworks
Subject: Footprint Paintings (Early Works)
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara, Heruka (Masterworks)
Buddhist Deity: Chakrasamvara (Early Kagyu Painting)