Panjara Mahakala

STYLE: In southern Tibet traditional Nepalese-derived thangka painting styles flourished, particularly within the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism. In this painting, as is typical for Nepalese style (Beri) works, the spaces for the figures are demarcated by yellow lines, and while the flames behind the main figure are not telling of a particular style, both the blossoms against the blue background to the sides of the lotus and the scrollwork in the area of black background are characteristic of Beri painting as well. Note the multicolored scarf forming a wide bow behind the head and around the ends of the magic staff.

CONTENT: Panjara Mahakala holds a curved knife and skull cup in front of his chest. His arms support the characteristics magic staff (gandi) that identifies him. The animals around his head are his messengers. Within a halo of flames the “Great Black One” is flanked by four deities: the four-armed Bhutadamara Vajrapani and the knife brandishing Mahakala on the left and Ekajata and the four-armed Dusolma riding her mule on the right. Above these two pairs are Hevajra (left) and Chakrasamvara (right). The lineage of teachers depicted at the very top attributes the painting to the Sakya school. To the sides are the guardians of the directions and the bottom figures belong to Panjara Mahakala’s retinue.