Buddhist deities in 14 mandalas, (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
A mandala of deities
Mandala means the “circle” or the “centre” in Sanskrit, mandala patterns are motifs that are centuries old, and are used to depict the cosmos. A mandala is a geometric design or pattern that represents the cosmos or deities in various heavenly worlds.
Let us see this unique thangka!
The main deity
The central deity, Vasudhara with six hands is surrounded on all sides by thirteen deities. Her first hand is a gesture of supreme generosity, the second symbolises the 'three wish fulfilling gems, the third hand holds a golden rosary. Towards the other side, the first hand holds a 'vase of plenty', the second a sheaf of grain, the third holds the Prajnaparamita text; she is adorned with jewelled ornaments. She is seated in Lalitasana, a royal pose. The colour palette is dominated by green.
Who is Goddess Vasudhara?
Vasudhara is the Buddhist goddess of wealth, fertility, and well-being. She blesses her worshippers with material prosperity and spiritual wellness. She is full of compassion and loving-kindness toward all beings.
Buddhist deities
Five deities are depicted on the top register. The white deity is probably Vairochana and the deity in green relates to Amogasiddhi Buddha who are among the 5 dhyani Buddhas.
Buddhist deities
Two green deities are seen on either side of her feet.
Buddhist deities
The lower register has six deities, in two levels; three in one and another three deities at the lower last level. The deity at the top left maybe Mahakala.
Text and Curation : Soma Ghosh
Photography : M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance : Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special Thanks to : Dr. A. Nagender Reddy, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References -
1. Chandra, Lokesh (2012) Tibetan Art, New Delhi; Niyogi Books
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/mandala-art-history-buddhism-james-brunt-8101223/(accessed 10.11.2022)
3. https://www.adobe.com/in/creativecloud/design/discover/mandala-art.html (accessed 10.11.2022)
4.https://teahouse.buddhistdoor.net/vasudhara-goddess-of-abundance/(accessed 11.11.2022)