Hevajra (Sanskrit)

Pal Gye Pa Dor Je (Tibetan)

18” x 24” ◊ Ground mineral pigment and gold on cotton cloth

Hevajra is a semi-wrathful deity significant in Tibetan tantric Buddhism. This particular dark blue manifestation is known as Hevajra Kapaladhara, "Hevajra who holds the skullcup". Adorned with a headdress of five skull crowns, Hevajra appears here in his eight-faced form with the eighth head situated centrally above. His sixteen graceful arms hold skull cups – the cups on the left containing worldly gods gazing outward, while those on the right hold animals gazing inward.With his first pair of arms Hevajra embraces his consort Nairatma, "she who is without ego."

The Lord has four legs: one pair takes up a powerful stance and the other assumes a gesture of dance. Garlands of skulls and severed heads adorn the otherwise naked Hevajra as he tramples on the four Maras, the illusion and temptations which are hindrances to Enlightenment. Hevajra and his consort are enveloped by the flames of pristine awareness. Above the aureole of fire, the Buddha Akshobhya is featured on a lotus throne. Akshobhya represents immutable power and stability and he his holding the vajra, which symbolizes the male attributes of method and skillful means. The traditional group of eight yoginis dance on either side of the rings of fire.